Yia Le, a counselor at McLane High, is this year’s recipient of a prestigious statewide award.

Le, who has counseled McLane students for six years, was named the winner of the Arthur S. Marmaduke High School Counselor Award during a Zoom ceremony in late October.

“I love and enjoy serving our students here at McLane High,” Lee said in a news release from the California Student Aid Commission. “Some things that I have learned … is that one must be flexible, patient, and always positive, especially with our student population.

“I am extremely blessed and honored to be selected for the award. … Words cannot express how thankful and happy I am.”

Le Is First-Generation College Graduate

Le well knows the challenges many of McLane’s students face. He is a first-generation college graduate from an impoverished background. Le graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a post-graduate degree in student affairs and counseling.

A colleague, My Chang, nominated Le for the award.

Wrote Chang: “Yia is a person who knows and understands that financial aid is the most important factor for whether a student attends college or not. … Ever since he started his career as a school counselor at McLane High, I have had the privilege to witness his strength and drive in the area.”

EdSource Interviews Le

You can read Le’s interview with EdSource’s Larry Gordon about his work at McLane at this link.