Position: Ninth Grade and ELL Student Counselor
School: Robert E. Lee High School
School District: Duval County Public Schools
City, State: Jacksonville, FL
Music that Describes Michael
Michael Varady was nominated by his colleague, Otilla Salmon.
Mr. Varady is an outstanding advocate for a high school population that is most in need of assistance: English Language Learners. This particular group of students experiences multiple barriers as they journey toward graduation due to their limited English language proficiency. Mr. Varady is always available to these students to give them emotional support, make sure they're succeeding academically, help them maneuver the financial aid and college application process, and communicate with their parents to ensure that all of these first-generation college students and families understand the complicated process. The ESOL students know that Mr. Varady will do whatever he can for them. He always focuses on their strengths and motivates them to be the best people they they can be. There is nothing he won't do for them. He corrects the English grammar in their school essays. He has paid for their SAT/ACT tests and lent them laptops so they could do school work at home. Mr. Varady understands the barriers they must overcome to be successful in school and in life.