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 Scott Sall, counselor at Aliso Niguel High School.
Q: How long have you worked in CUSD?
A: This is my 4th year.
Q: Describe your role in supporting student success at your school or in your department.
A: I love my role because I get to support students in three areas: academic and school concerns, college and career exploration, and personal and social growth and development. It’s always a busy day!
Q: How long have you worked professionally in school counseling?
A: This is my 11th year as a school counselor. My first seven years were in a private high school.
Q: What college degrees and professional certifications do you hold?
A: Masters of education in school counseling with a PPS, plus a mental health certification from completing 15 extra graduate units specializing in mental health.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about counseling work?
A: Even though a lot of conversations about personal and social problems are tough, there’s nothing like helping students through these problems and finding relief once they make it to the other side.
Q: Is there a program that CUSD utilizes that is especially beneficial to student support?
A: The Wellness and Prevention Center is an invaluable resource to students and families who would like free counseling services. It really meets a needs of families and prevents them from having to navigate finding a therapist and navigating insurance.
Q: When you were in school, did you have an impactful experience with a counselor?
A: My counselor was a great help in navigating which classes to take for the college I was looking for. Even more important, he was there for me when I lost a family member in high school.
Q: How do counselors in CUSD help support one another?
A: We collaborate monthly with all counselors at our level, and our site team communicates well with each other daily.
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: One thing families may not realize is that my role is much bigger than schedules. I help students navigate stress, confidence, friendships, motivation, and future planning—often all in the same conversation.
It’s normal for students to change interests, goals, and plans. Exploration and uncertainty are part of healthy development, and counselors support students through that process. So many times students think other students “have it all figured out.” But we actually see that is simply an illusion! We are all constantly growing a changing!