Cassandra "Cassie" D'Addeo was named the Florida School Counselor of the Year by the Florida School Counselor Association. She was honored during a conference held November 7-9 in Tampa.
Photo (L-to-R): Larissa Bennett, Dr. Jason Wysong, Cassie D'Addeo
A doctoral student in USF's Counselor Education program, Ms. D’Addeo attributes the amazing students and staff to her success.
Photo (L-to-R): Media Specialist Fay Servoss, Principal Michael Escorcia, School Counselor Cassie D'Addeo
She has been with the school district for eight years, serving at Manatee Elementary, Daughtrey Elementary, and now, Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary (RGB).
Ms. D'Addeo owns a private counseling practice and is the author of a children's book series, "Riley & Kai". The three books are the most popular books checked out in RGB’s media center.
She even gifted a set to every classroom in the school, including “Riley and Her Big Feelings at School”, “A Puppy’s Story of Resolving Peer Conflict” and “A Puppy’s Story of Coping with Grief”.
That’s one of the reasons Media Specialist Fay Servoss has been planning a “World Kindness Day” celebration for Ms. D’Addeo for months.
On Wednesday, November 13th, Principal Michael Escorcia called her to the cafeteria over the walkie asking for assistance. Tables were filled with hundreds of students eagerly anticipating her arrival so they could yell, “Surprise!”
Then, in a moment reminiscent of The Price is Right, the stage curtain was drawn to unveil a tribute to Ms. D’Addeo.
The display included her colorful children's books, plaques to praise her dedication, and heartwarming artwork from RGB’s smallest students who used their thumbprints to form a heart.
Principal Escorcia introduced special guests, including Ms. D’Addeo’s parents, School Counseling Coordinator Larissa Bennett, and RGB students, Angel, Mariah, Wanda and Robert.
The children read their own testimonials about how she has changed their lives. “Ms. D’Addeo is like my second mom,” said Mariah before an emotional pause, “I remember when my grandma passed away, she was always there for me.”
The SAVE Promise Club, a youth leadership club for students who want to keep their school safe, assembled on stage to each give Ms. D’Addeo a flower and a hug.
Finally, the students paid tribute to her in song. Event organizer Fay Servoss led the large group in two different performances, “You Are My Sunshine” and “Kind”.
The older students, who were chosen to sing the song by Stephanie Leavell, swayed along as they sang (in part):
K – Okay, I’ll be your friend
I – I know you’ll be mine too
N – New things are hard sometimes
D – Don’t you worry, I’ll be by your side.
Kind is kind of
The most important thing we can all be
Kind is kind of
A very special thing for you and for me
Just be kind, ah
Just be kind, kind, kind, kind, kind, kind
K- Kind words can go a long way
I - I hear the kind things you say
N - Nice is just the right thing to do
D - Don't you worry, I'll be kind to you
I might say you're a good friend, hard worker, funny person
I like your ideas and I'll listen to them
When you fall down, I'll help you back up
When you have a bad day, that's okay
Sometime we're wrong sometimes we're imperfect
I'll forgive you and myself, 'cause we're worth it
We try and we still mess up sometimes
But we'll continue to try to just be kind
As she wiped away tears, Ms. D’Addeo accepted more hugs, fist bumps, high-fives, and flowers, as students returned to class.
She joined colleagues on stage for one last photo to remember this day, relishing those moments she holds close to her heart.
