Meet VALE's Counselor
We at VALE are very happy to introduce our dedicated counselor, Gordana Sormaz.
Ms. Gordana Sormaz has been in education for over thirty years. She worked as an English/journalism teacher for 23 years While an English teacher at Valparaiso High School, she was the publications advisor for the VALENIAN yearbook and the VIKING PRESS student newspaper. Since 2014, she has been a counselor in the student services office and began working with VALE students in November of 2021.
Ms. Sormaz is a graduate of Indiana University where she obtained her B.A. in English and Telecommunications. Once she graduated, she worked as a local reporter and was a creative director in Chicago at a floral trade publication. After working in journalism for two years, she obtained her teaching credential and began her teaching career in Fort Wayne. After a year there, she returned to her hometown of Valparaiso where she taught English at Ben Franklin Middle School and later at Valparaiso High School. The classes she has taught include: film literature, English 10, English 12, mass communications, journalism, and student publications.
After two decades in the classroom, she made the transition to counseling and most enjoys working with students in choosing classes and exploring career options.
In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, swimming, visiting the beach, reading, and attending the theatre. She is an avid Indiana University basketball fan.