K–12 school counseling coordinator recognized by COCA

The Boyertown Area School District is pleased to announce that K–12 School Counseling Coordinator, Marilee Cassidy, has been awarded the 2017 Roger S. Hertz Education Award by the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA).

This award honors educators who have shown extraordinary leadership in drug and alcohol abuse education, prevention, and intervention. Cassidy has been a member of the Boyertown Area School District faculty since 1996, beginning as a school counselor.

As the counseling coordinator, Cassidy has worked to create a student assistance program on the elementary level, co-chaired a task force for the Pennsylvania Youth Survey, coordinated professional development for faculty and paraprofessionals on mental health issues, and arranged speakers from COCA for evening sessions for parents and community members.

“When I received the award, I was speechless, which I’m not normally,” Cassidy said of the experience. “I work with an amazing team of educators, and

they deserve this recognition as well.”

Cassidy was honored at COCA’s annual conference on Thursday, November 2. She was also honored at the November 14 Boyertown Area School District’s Board of School Directors meeting.

The Council on Chemical Abuse is a Berks County–based organization, leading the area in offering resources necessary to respond to the complex problems of substance abuse and addiction. It serves as the coordinating agency for publicly supported drug and alcohol programming in the county.