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First lady to laud school counselors in final public remarks

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  • ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Michelle Obama speaks after the screening for the movie ‘Hidden Figures,’ in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. When Obama helps recognize the school counselor of the year on Friday, Jan. 6, aides say it will also mark her final public event as first lady.

WASHINGTON >> When Michelle Obama helps recognize the school counselor of the year later this week, it will also mark her final White House event as first lady, aides said Tuesday.

Mrs. Obama has presided over a White House ceremony each January since 2015 honoring school counselors, who she says are often the “deciding factor” in whether a student attends college. She joked last year that Friday’s ceremony might be one of the last White House events “before they kick us out in January of 2017.”

President Barack Obama’s term ends at noon on Jan. 20, exactly two weeks after Friday’s ceremony.

School counselors from across the country are meeting at the White House at the end of the week to be recognized and to help honor Terri Tchorzynski, the 2017 School Counselor of the Year. She is a counselor at the Calhoun Area Career Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, according to the website of the American School Counselor Association.

Before Mrs. Obama’s remarks at Friday’s event, guests will attend a panel discussion featuring Education Secretary John B. King Jr., former Education Secretary Arne Duncan and actress Connie Britton, who played a high school guidance counselor on the network television series “Friday Night Lights,” among other participants, the White House said.

Mrs. Obama established the recognition ceremony for school counselors to highlight the work they do with young people and the conditions under which they operate.

The average counselor is responsible for more than 470 students, said Eric Waldo, executive director of Reach Higher, Mrs. Obama’s initiative to encourage students to continue their education after high school. Recognition for school counselors is part of that initiative.

Mrs. Obama also modeled the school counselor ceremony after the annual Teacher of the Year event that’s been held at the White House for decades. She hopes future presidents will continue to recognize the contributions of school counselors.

“Much like Teacher of the Year has become a 50-year tradition for the White House, regardless of party, we certainly think counselors are deserving of the same accolades,” said Tina Tchen, the first lady’s chief of staff.

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  • Just go away already. Perhaps she can get her husband to pass out a few more Medals of Freedom. This time perhaps the recipients would be worthy of such a honor.
    Obama usually passes these medals out to friends, movie stars and athletes who have done nothing to protect our freedom.

    • Well that makes sense. Why try to have kids eat healthier meals? Kids in Hawaii are starting Kindergarten with Type 2 Diabetes, so why try to do anything with that problem?

      Sociopath.

        • I’m guessing his therapist loaded him up with anti-depressants, some play-doh, a furry puppy or kitten and his favorite blanket.

        • Good question. At least ike showed some class. Not like the rest of the dummyrats. Imagine the admonishments and I told you sos we would have heard if Crooked Hilliary had won? Tireless, endless from the back waters of Keehi Lagoon. Just a little payback at the expense of the losers. Loving it. Klastri, bring it.

    • lespark – Here you go again with your bizarre obsession with me.

      Seek help. You obviously need it.

      Mercifully, I have never thought about you. Not once, ever.

  • Sorry progressives, the show is just about over. Just here to tell you that it’s going to get worse before it gets better. First the inauguration then the cabinet appointees. Then the supreme court and other federal judge appointments. Then the economy takes off via supply side economic reforms. The military gets it’s dignity restored, political correctness dies a slow and well deserved death, the welfare state shrinks, blue lives matter and international bad actors are held accountable. All of which will highlight Barry’s incompetence and lack of leadership.

  • Glad that these educators are being recognized. Education is the only way the US can continue to prosper. Educated workers pay income taxes to help pay for social security benefits for our retired senior citizens.

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