National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1800.273.TALK or text the word "START" TO 741741
Crisis Support Services of Alameda County: 1800.309.2131
Child help: Child Abuse Prevention: 1800.4.A.Child (1800.422.4453)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800.799.7233
Hayward Youth and Family Service: 1.510.293.7048 (Counseling Services)
Alameda County Health and Human Services: Dial 211
LGTBQ+ Support Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
Assistant Principal (AP)
Danee Black
db662@husd.k12.ca.us
My name is Danee Black. This year I am the Assistant Principal supporting 10th grade. I will support the COST team and support the referral process. I enjoy building relationships with our service providers and helping students access our amazing resources. I've been in education for 15 years and specialize in creative interventions, community care and collective responsibility.
Youth Intervention Specialist (YIS)
Marissa Pienaar
mp852@husd.k12.ca.us
Greetings! My name is Marissa Pienaar, and I am the Youth Intervention Specialist and 11th grade administrator. Part of my duties is to oversee and support the COST process at Mt. Eden. Schools provide more than education as they play a pivotal role in the community. COST helps us connect with, support, and collaborate with services and resources that support our students, families, and school community. I have been in education for over 20 years, and believe in the power of community care and community wealth in supporting our students' holistic development.
Social Emotional Counselor
Adrienne Witherspoon
aw183@husd.k12.ca.us
Hi my name is Adrienne Witherspoon. I am so excited to be a part of the Monarch family! Over the years I have worked in education and behavioral health, supporting educators, youth and families. My focus this year is to support the social emotional needs of our students, staff and families. I will also be actively involved in creating spaces and opportunities for student voice and connection.
Services
Individual & Group Counseling
Crisis Support
Class Presentations
Consultations
Parent & Staff Workshops
Restorative Justice Counselor
Ashley Bell
ab997@husd.k12.ca.us
My name is Mrs. Bell. My focus this school year is to empower our scholars to resolve conflicts with their peers, teachers, and parents/caregivers in order to be successful within the classroom and in their communities.
9th Grade Counselor
(Except Puente, AVID and MTAP.)
Ms. Melanie Morsy
mmorsy@husd.k12.ca.us
I have worked at Mt. Eden since 1994, both as a teacher and now as a Counselor. This year, my caseload includes all students in the Class of 2027 (except Puente, AVID and MTAP.) I look forward to helping my students navigate through this very important school year in addition to assisting them in setting goals and taking the necessary steps for reaching their post secondary dreams. You can't hide that Monarch pride!
10th Grade Counselor
(Except Puente, AVID and MTAP.)
Mr. David Cavallero
dcavallero@husd.k12.ca.us
Hi Monarch’s,
I am Mr. Cavallero the 10th grade Counselor, except Puente, AVID, and MTAP. This is my eleventh year at HUSD and my twentieth year as an educator. It is truly an honor to serve as your Counselor. Please let me know what your needs are, whether that is tutoring resources, self-care tools & techniques, college & career options, concurrent enrollment, credit recovery, emotional supports & referrals, or anything that can help you be well and successful. Please stay safe, be well. I look forward to hearing from you and I cannot wait to meet you in person. - Mr. Cavallero
11th Grade Counselor
(Except Puente, AVID and MTAP.)
Ms. Celeste Pracale
cpracale@husd.k12.ca.us
Greetings scholars! I truly believe that taking care of yourself physically and mentally is key to being a successful student. Your Counseling team is here to support you! Please email or call us for any questions or concerns you have. Stay safe and stay healthy! ~ Ms Pracale
12th Grade Counselor
(Except Puente, AVID and MTAP.)
Ms. Neetu Rai
Ms. Rai is the 12th grade Counselor, except for Puente, AVID, and MTAP.
PUENTE Counselor
Ms. Veronica Morelos
vmorelos@husd.k12.ca.us
AVID Counselor
Mr. John Zentner
jzentner@husd.k12.ca.us
Hi Monarchs! I am Mr. Zentner and I am the Counselor for all AVID and MTAP students. I just want you to know that I am here to support all of my students and families through any challenges you are having: Academic, Personal, Emotional or anything else. Please reach out with any questions you may have!
Community Schools Specialist (CSS)
CSS Specialist
Ms. Angela Cota
Welcome Monarchs!
I'm excited to be back on site for a new school year. Every day may bring new challenges and obstacles but I invite you and encourage you to be your own best advocate! If you need support, guidance, help or just someone to talk with, please connect with your MEHS COST team!
Family Engagement Specialist (FES)
Ms. Maria Duenas
mduenas@husd.k12.ca.us
My name is Maria Duenas. I have been at Mt. Eden for 9 yrs. If you need Health Insurance, Food, Housing, Please be sure to reach out to our COST team for support!
Youth Enrichment Program Site Coordinator (YEP)
Ms. Sandra Marquez
sm914@husd.k12.ca.us
My name is Sandra Marquez. I would like to formally introduce myself as the new YEP Site Coordinator at Mt.Eden HS. I have been working for the Hayward Unified School District for about three years. I first started as a YEP Program Leader at an Elementary School and worked my way up as a Site Coordinator for High School. I am a Bay Area native. I was born in San Francisco and was raised in Hayward. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science from California State University East Bay, in 2020
Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA)
Bianca Espinoza
My name is Bianca Espinoza. I am the Child Welfare and Attendance Outreach Worker for the Mt.Eden feeder pattern for HUSD. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s in English with a minor in Philosophy. I have been working with the district for almost two years. I am excited to continue to grow with the district assisting in creating strategies to help families and students improve their attendance and academic achievements.
School Nurse
Ms. Friedman
Nayeli Alviar-Rios
Youth Family Service Bureau
Provides off site service coordination for our youth:
case management for youth 8-18
Law enforcement, probation and court referred youth diversion services
Positive youth development groups
Thrive Life Skills Program (TLSP)
Restorative justice groups to youth in custody
Linkages to resources
Seneca Mosaic Therapist
Nick Candelaria, LMFT #101311 (He/him/she/her
they/them)
The Seneca Mosaic Mt. Eden High School Outpatient Program is a school-based therapy program in partnership between Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services and Seneca Family of Agencies to help students with Medi-Cal based insurance. These services are provided on site and in their communities to help students address emotional, behavioral, and systemic challenges. Our outpatient therapist, Nick Candelaria, LMFT, provides a variety of mental health services for students which can include individual therapy, family therapy, case management, groups, and consultation with school partners. The program provides mental health services for students identified and referred by teachers, school administrators, caregivers, and outside professionals through the COST referral form. Once received, the student is then referred to our Seneca provider via the COST meeting. If you feel like a student would benefit from mental health services or would like to consult on a mental health topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Nick at his following contacts:
Project Eden Service Provider (TBD)
Off site referrals to Project Eden supporting students and families connect to counseling resources and substance use interventions.
Project Eden Service Provider
Robert Lopez(He/him/his)
Robert is a Prevention Specialist with Project Eden’s Lambda Youth Project, a LGBTQQ I2-S youth group serving youth under 20, which hosts the Annual Gay Prom Hayward. The Lambda Youth Project offers school-based peer support groups and individual counseling for LGBTQQ I2-S youth. This service is free of charge and staff, teachers, counselors, and administration can refer students through the COST Coordinator and students can also self-refer.
Seneca Intern Counselor
Russell Corwick
Provider is on site to support students in Seneca caseload.
Intern counselor is on site on Wednesday & Thursday and in P6 on Monday mornings.
PPSC Intern Counselor
Vanessa Magana
vm433@husd.k12.ca.us
Vanessa is a Hayward native and our current Counseling Intern. She is a graduate student at the University of San Francisco where she will earn her Master’s degree in School Counseling, PPS. Vanessa has been serving as an educator in the Bay Area for 10 years, primarily working with and advocating for equitable opportunities for underrepresented students and their families. In her free time, she serves in the community as a grassroots organizer, spends time with loved ones, and attends concerts & music festivals.
HUSD Intern Counselor
Gisselle Santellan
gs562@husd.k12.ca.us