District Employee is Middle School Counselor of the Year

Guidance Counselor Kelly Paredes goes to work each day and helps students navigate through what can be a difficult time in their lives. For her outstanding work, Paredes will be recognized Thursday as Middle School Guidance Counselor of the Year by the Bergen County School Counselor Association.

The organization seeks nominations for award recipients from students who believe their counselor is deserving. At Westwood Middle School, Guidance Counselor Jenny Sparno told Principal Charles Seipp about the award and suggested he seek student nominations for Paredes.

Sparno said she thought Paredes would make a great candidate. "She's very dedicated. She's here every morning early, she stays late, she doesn't eat lunch," Sparno said. "She's just extremely passionate about the counseling program and the students she works with."

When Seipp heard about the award, he agreed that Paredes would be deserving of such recognition and asked students he knew had close relationships with her if they would like to write letters on her behalf. He said he received at least five.

One of the letters came from seventh-grader Sara Bayles, who will read her piece at the awards ceremony Thursday at The Graycliff in Moonachie. Bayles said she decided to nominate Paredes "because she's helped me through a lot this year." Bayles explained that her parents were going through a divorce and she was having an issue with a teacher. Paredes has helped her through the tough times, she said.

"I thought this would be an amazing way to thank her," Bayles said. "She really deserves it for all she does."

Because the nominations come from students, Paredes said, "It means a lot more."

The former social worker said she always knew she wanted to work with kids and liked the idea of middle school students because they are growing up. "You can help plant the seeds in their mind and shape who they are," she said.

Paredes said her goal is to meet the needs of all her students. She has one rule that she learned from being a student herself: she will not answer her phone while meeting with a middle schooler. She said the students should feel that they have her attention and not be interrupted like she was when in school.

Variety is something Paredes values with her job. "I love that every day is different," she said. "Nothing is predictable. I think that keeps me on my toes."

In addition to helping students with their schedules and any issues that arise, Paredes is involved in several programs at the middle school. She has organized anti-bullying videos to be shown Fridays during lunch; she is an adviser of the Helping Hands Club, which raises money for causes like breast cancer and ; and she brought the Binder Hospital to the district, where students who want help with organization meet in the library during lunch once a month to get supplies and help keep their items neat.

"She really has a tremendous grasp on the educational and social needs of kids at this age," Seipp said.

He said Paredes gets to know the students beyond a simple hello in the hallway. "She's made a point to make a connection with every kid," Seipp said.

That connection has become obvious to Seipp, who said he can tell by the way students greet Paredes in the hallway that they respect and admire her.

"We wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are without all the work she's done," Seipp said.