Counseling

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, Class of 2023: 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 

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 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 Google 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

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
• Allyson Lau: 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!