Ellissia Price
August 30, 2023
Willetta Wilson A
President, Northern Virginia Counselors Association
Re: Ellissia Price, Nomination for John Cook Award
Dear Willeta,
I would like to support the NVCA’s nomination of Ellissia Price-Fagin for the VCA Foundation’s John Cook Award. Ellissia and I share a long history as long-time colleagues in Fairfax County Public Schools, on the VCA Board of Directors, NVCA, and the VCA Foundation. Our common professional experiences have made me an admirer of all the good work and the energy that Ellissia has manifested and continues to do so, for all the organizations she has been a part of. I have observed first-hand that her professional life exemplifies the spirit of the John Cook Award: “A long and meritorious service to VCA and the Counseling Profession”.
Ellissia was the Elementary Counseling Coordinator for FCPS during a time when the number of elementary counselors grew considerably because of school system growth. Ellissia provided leadership to hire and develop many new counselors. She created a communication network that kept them informed. Ellissia provided mentorship and support for FCPS elementary counselors, which helped them grow as counselors. She created a framework for individual counselors in a specific school building, to support one another, and to have an advocate at the central office in a very large school system.
For many years, Ellissia has been the sustaining force behind the Virginia Specialists in Group Work division of VCA. Whether she served as President or in other Board positions, Ellissia has been the thread that has perpetuated the organization. Through the annual Group-A-Rama annual conference, VASGW has managed to be a vehicle for nurturing and encouraging counselors interested in group skills, and Ellissia has been an ever-present part of that process.
Several years ago, Ellissia added her attention and time toward Northern Virginia Counselors Association (NVCA), which was a declining VCA Chapter and almost defunct. Ellissia was part of a core of VCA members from Northern Virginia who revitalized the organization. For several years, including during the Covid pandemic era, Ellissia has been part of a Board which created online opportunities for professional development for counselors in Norther Virginia. NVCA is among the more active VCA Chapters and has been recognized regularly at the VCA Convention Awards. Currently, Elllissai serves as its Treasurer.
I believe that Ellissia’s value to the counseling profession has been manifested best through her involvement with the VCA Foundation. Through VASGW and NVCA, she has developed the practice of “giveing back” to the Foundation, which serves all Virginia Counselors. VASGW has been a long-time financial donor to the VCA Foundation, and more recently, NVCA has adopted the same practice. In addition, and perhaps more significantly, when the Foundation celebrated its 30th year serving Virginia counselors, Ellissia spearheaded the production of a serious of video presentations from a variety of VCA counselors who had benefitted from the work of the Foundation. These video productions remain a defining element for the VCA Foundation.
In summary, Ellissia Price-Fagin has made substantial contributions to organizations in VCA. She is a forceful presence and a positive contributor at meetings she attends. She adds meaningfully to any conversation, and offers new ideas, and when necessary, she is not afraid to voice a differing opinion. Ellissia is not simply a member of a group, but a “doer” who works hard to make things happen, in any organization fortunate to have her. I am proud to have served alongside Ellissia, to learn from her, and to see how she has enhanced counseling organizations and enriched the skills of individual counselors in Virginia through her exemplary service. As a counseling administrator, as a VCA Division and Chapter leader, as well as a member of the VCA Foundation Board, Ellissia has had few equals. In my long career as a counselor, I have met few colleagues who have accomplished the level of service and dedication that Ellissia Price-Fagin has personified.
It is with great pleasure that I enthusiastically recommend Ellissia Price-Fagin for the John Cook Award.
Sincerely,
Manny Bartolotta
VCA member
Past President, VCA Foundation manbart@mac.com