Edithza Orozco is one of our counselors here at Bakersfield High School. She is known by students to be kind, helpful, and empathic.
How did Orozco become a counselor?
Orozco graduated from California State University Bakersfield as a P.E. teacher. She was a P.E. teacher for six years until she realized that she wanted to have a more personal relationship with her students; she wanted to get to know them better and be able to help them in any way she could.
When Orozco decided to prepare to be a school counselor, she went back to university and obtained a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling (K-12). BHS is the first school where she has worked as a counselor.
“It has been very fun, I am constantly learning about my job so I can continue fulfilling my purpose of helping my students. BHS is a very large school with many students and many activities so I loved it,” Orozco said.
She comments that she has had many interactions with different students. Some students have shared very pleasant stories, while others shared very sad stories; it is these interactions that make her enjoy being a counselor. Orozco getting to know students and being able to help them, no matter their backgrounds.
Being a person with Mexican roots and who is bilingual, she accepted the position to be the counselor for English Language Development (ELD) students when she was presented with the opportunity without hesitation. It has been a great experience for her.
Who is Orozco outside of the counseling office?
Orozco likes to cook healthy food, exercise, be with her dogs, and dedicate herself to her family.
During her time as a student she dedicated herself to playing volleyball, she was so passionate about it that she had the opportunity to live in Utah for a while to play. She played for one semester at Dixie State University, now named Utah Tech University.
Now she is one of the volleyball coaches here at BHS; she plans to resume it during the off-season with a club next January.
Orozco’s advice to Drillers
“A good education can take you very far,” Orozco said.
She says that she likes to help her students since she believes all the help and good education she received is the reason why she has the successful life she has until now.
“No matter what your family or other people think of you, at the end of the day you are at an age where you can do it for yourself, take care of yourself, make your own goals,” Orozco said.
