In celebration of National School Counseling Week, CUSD Insider is showcasing profiles of the fantastic counselors we have throughout the District.
Today we are highlighting Lisa Cassarino, San Juan Hills counselor.
Q: How long have you worked in CUSD?
A: I started in 2006 as a part-time counselor, so 18 years.
Q: Describe your role in supporting student success at your school or in your department.
A: As high school counselors, we are here to help students remove the barriers that stand between them and their education. While we are not therapists, we are here to listen, provide guidance, and offer resources to help students navigate challenges—whether they’re academic, social, or emotional. My personal goal and focus is to create a supportive space where students feel seen and empowered.
Q: What role do you play in the MTSS framework? How does this program benefit students in your opinion?
A: The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework is basically a system schools use to make sure every student gets the right level of help—whether it’s for academics, emotional well-being, or planning for their future. The school counselor combines the broader MTSS approach with the counseling-focused Multi-Tiered, Multi-Domain System of Supports (MTMDSS) to provide school-wide programs, such as social-emotional learning lessons, small group interventions, such as grade improvement lessons, and one-on-one support for students managing personal challenges or creating college and career plans. This helps us catch challenges early, remove barriers that might get in the way of a student’s education, and guide them in discovering their unique strengths and passions so they can succeed not just in school, but in life.
Q: How long have you worked professionally in school counseling?
A: I have been at San Juan Hills High School for 14 years. For the first 10 years, I worked as an Academic Advisor, focusing on academic planning and college and career counseling. When the district transitioned to the comprehensive school counseling program, I returned to school to earn my master’s degree in education and school counseling. For the past four years, I’ve been serving as a school counselor, supporting students in a more holistic way through academics, college and career planning, and social-emotional development.
Q: What college degrees and professional certifications do you hold?
A:I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology. Before transitioning to education, I worked in Human Resources in private industry. I also hold a master’s in education with a focus on school counseling, along with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about counseling work?
A: What keeps me going every day is knowing that even the smallest things—like listening to a student, encouraging them, or reminding them of their own strength—can make such a big difference. Life is full of challenges, and no one is exempt from that, but I believe in helping students see that they’ve overcome challenges before and have the tools and resilience to do it again. Watching a student discover their strengths, build confidence, and begin to see their potential unfold is the most fulfilling part of my job.
Q: How do counselors in CUSD help support one another?
A: We have an incredible team of counselors in CUSD who truly support one another. We regularly meet at the district level to share ideas, resources, and collaborate on best practices, and I know I can always reach out to my fellow counselors for advice, brainstorming, or just to be a listening ear.
Q: What is the one thing you would want families to know about your role in student success that they might not be aware of?
A: I want families to know that success isn’t just about grades or test scores. It’s about helping students discover their unique talents and passions, the things they were born to share with the world, and guiding them to develop those into a career or life path they love. I’m here to remind them that success isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about finding the right fit for who they are.