Cecilia Ballesteros earned her master's in Social Work in 2004 and has been an academic guidance counselor for six years at Sequoia Middle School in South Fresno, where she helps students follow their dreams, encouraging them to not be afraid to explore different paths.

Ballesteros was recently presented with the Administrator of the Year Award from Fresno Unified School District’s Excellence in Education Awards for her work as a middle school counselor. She passionately works for her students and plans to continue to do so for as long as she can, because she loves being able to guide students and help them in their future endeavors.

Growing up in Fresno with strict Hispanic parents, she was a quiet girl who received stellar grades.

In high school, a counselor encouraged Ballesteros to explore attending college, an idea she had never before considered, but one that would change her life. Now she would like to pass that success on.

“I want to show [students] that there are so many opportunities that they can have, and that they can change the trajectory of their life,” Ballesteros said.

“My goal of getting into the education system was that I really wanted to notice the kids that don’t want to be noticed, like myself,” she added.

See more.