Westlake Counselor Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Westlake school counselor Bobbi English was honored for her 34 years of work in the field Thursday with the Mary Claytor/Charles Weaver Life Achievement & Membership Award.

English, a counselor at and elementary schools, was nominated by Mimi Verdone, principal of Holly Lane, former Hilliard Principal Mary Flanagan, Holly Lane kindergarten teacher Suzie Zkiab and Holly Lane physical education teacher Nick Miller.

In her nomination letter, Verdone called English a caring professional.

“As an elementary counselor for 34 years, she models the kindness and empathy that we all strive to emulate,” she wrote. “Bobbi has a remarkable energy level and an exceptional work ethic.”

Flanagan said English’s legacy will be “that she always did whatever she could to assure that students were ready to learn to the greatest extent possible.”

“Mrs. English is a team player who contributes to all facets of the school program,” Flanagan said. “Her day is constantly filled with student contact which might include lunch with new students, meeting with a small group to discuss making good behavior choices, and presenting lessons to classrooms of students on an important area of the guidance curriculum.”

The award, given by the Ohio School Counselors Association, is given each year to a member with more than 15 years of experience who goes above and beyond to contribute to the field.