Counseling Team
School Counselor's Role
The counselor works in collaboration with school staff, administrators, teachers, parents, and community members to be an advocate for students in order to maximize student potential and academic achievement, so that students may be healthy and productive members of society. The school counselor assumes a leadership role in the development of an appropriate program of guidance for the school site. Services offered include:
- Collaboration and consultation with students, teachers, families, and other providers to identify strategies to help student(s) in areas of academics, behavior, and social-emotional well-being.
- Serves as a resource in the area of student intervention using researched and evidence-based practices.
- Provides personal counseling on 1:1 basis
- Collaborate with Restorative Practices team for peer conflict
- Provides targeted small group counseling
- Provides crisis support with school team
- Promote high school, college & career readiness
- Assists students in scheduling matters
Our counselors cycle through with our students until they promote to high school.
Class of 2020 Counselor: Mr. Joaquin Jang
BA: The George Washington University
MA: University of San Francisco, Counseling Psychology
Hometown: Bodega, CA
E-mail: jangj1@sfusd.edu
Class of 2021 Counselor: Mrs. Allyson Lau (out Fall 2019)
BA: S.F. State University, Child & Adolescent Development - Youth & Family Services
MA: University of San Francisco, Counseling Psychology
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
E-mail: laua3@sfusd.edu
2021 Google Classroom Code: fk09qe0
Class of 2021 Counselor: Mr. Stephan Nguyen
BA: Willamette University
MA: University of San Francisco, Counseling Psychology
Hometown: Portland, OR
E-mail: nguyens1@sfusd.edu
Class of 2022 Counselor: Mr. Steven McDaniel
BA: University of California San Diego
MA: Brandman University, School Counseling
Hometown: Indio, CA
E-mail: mcdaniels@sfusd.edu
Class 2022 Goolge Classroom code: 7uqhrjf
Dean: Mr. Jonah Backstrom
BS: University of Massachusetts
MS: San Francisco State University, Counseling
Hometown: Boston, MA
E-mail: backstromj@sfusd.edu
2019-2020 Counseling Interns
Judith Valdovivos supervised by Mr. Jang
Jace Marzan supervised by Mr. Jang
Contact Us
Counseling Office Hours
- 8:10 am - 11:30 am
- 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Please go to Main Office for help if Counseling is closed
Counseling Phone Number and Extensions
- 415.759.2773
- Attendance/Counseling Secretary: Stephanie Ruffin x3130
- (If you are having trouble getting in touch with our Counseling Secretary, please contact the Main Office at x2770)
- Dean: Jonah Backstrom x3137
- Joaquin Jang: x3127
- Stephan Nguyen: x3131
- Steven McDaniel: x3331
How Do I See My Counselor?
- Find us during lunch or passing period
- Get a pass from your teacher first
- Set an appointment
- Email us!