NHE Counseling Corner

Hello Hawks,

My name is Mrs. Alabanza-de la Cruz and my pronouns are she, her and hers. Thank you so much for coming to our Counseling Corner.

As your School Counselor, I believe that all children have the potential and skills to achieve great things and become great contributors to our community. I am committed to providing to all our students the skills, knowledge and exposure of what it is to be a human being of character. My goal is for all our students to make “Helpful” Choices and not a “Hurtful” choice. My counseling philosophy is too:

Inspire lifelong learners
Create an encouraging and safe learning community
Encourage open communication
Instill high expectations
Support and establish consistent school-wide procedures
Cheer on individual learners
Support and guide our students to be collaborative workers and problem solvers

I have a B.A. degree in Psychology with a Minor in Child Development from San Diego State University and Masters in Education, with Emphasis in Counseling and Guidance along with a Pupil Personnel Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University.

I enjoy learning and laughing with our whole NHE Hawks. I look forward to each day, with all our students at NHE and providing everyone with counseling support services in the areas of: personal/social, academic and career development. Outside of NHE, I love spending time with my family and friends. I am the eldest of three children, I love being a big sister and daughter. I enjoy being a wife and mother to my two children; Miles will be 17 years old in December 2024 and Mia will turn 14 years old in November 2024.

Thank you so much for visiting our NHE Counseling Corner. Please visit my Newsletter, "Home & School Connection", monthly and stay connected with my daily/weekly Class Dojo, Instagram @BeTheReasonSchoolCounselor posts and twitter @nheAlabanzaMEd

My Vision/Mission:

Normal Heights Elementary School Counseling Program Vision

The vision of my NHE school counseling program is that all students will graduate 21st-century ready. They will be equipped with the highest level of social/emotional, academic, and college/career skills to reach their highest potential and sustain personal growth. Our resilient and empowered NHE Hawks will advocate for a society that values compassion, diversity, and positive change in an ever-transforming world.

Normal Heights Elementary School Counseling Program Mission

The mission of my NHE school Counseling Program is for all students to have equitable access to a data-driven multi-tier, multi-domain school counseling program designed to support each student in reaching their social/emotional, academic, and college/career potential. I advocate for equity, access, and success for every student through core-curriculum, small groups, individual counseling, and school-wide activities. In collaboration with the community, teachers, school staff, parents, and stakeholders, all students will develop the foundational skills to foster a safe learning environment, build resiliency, and empower them to become caring contributing members of our community.

NHE School Counselor's Belief Statements

I believe that all students should have access to a comprehensive school counseling program that is data-driven by a professional school counselor to meet the needs of every student
I believe all students can reach their full social-emotional, college/career, and academic potential
I believe that all students regardless of their beliefs, ethnicity, race, gender identity, and special needs should have equitable access to a 21st-century education
I believe that collaboration with the community, parents, school staff, and other valuable stakeholders is pivotal in the success of all students
I believe that all students can develop the core values of compassion, respect, kindness and the 3 Es: equality, empathy & empowerment
As your School Counselors I will advocate for all students.

Abbott Elementary x JcPenney x Alliance Healthier Generation

𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂, 𝑴.𝑬𝒅. (𝒔𝒉𝒆/𝒉𝒆𝒓) on Instagram: "It’s been a hard secret to keep, but now I get to share! 🤫🎉 #ExcitingNews #SharingIsCaring I got to be part of my favorite show @abbottelemabc and I was surroundd by the most beautiful & inspirarional people (infront & behind the camera) Thank you @jcpenney @healthiergeneration @tinygigantism #schoolcounselor"59 likes, 19 comments - bethereasonschoolcounselor on September 28, 2023: "It’s been a hard secret to keep, but now I get to share! 🤫🎉 #ExcitingNews #SharingIsCarin..."

𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂, 𝑴.𝑬𝒅. (𝒔𝒉𝒆/𝒉𝒆𝒓) on Instagram: "Oh Hello @abbottelemabc Teacher’s Edition Volume 1 Collection @jcpenney"28 likes, 2 comments - bethereasonschoolcounselor on September 30, 2023: "Oh Hello @abbottelemabc Teacher’s Edition Volume 1 Collection @jcpenney"

𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂-𝒅𝒆 𝒍𝒂 𝑪𝒓𝒖𝒛 🇵🇭 on Instagram: "Honored to be featured by @jcpenney for the @abbottelemabc Teacher’s Edition Volume 1. Thanks to the partnership with JCPenney & @healthiergeneration who have helped me nurture the well-being of my students, staff, and families. @bethereasonschoolcounselor Oh and how awesome is that myself and the other educators were shot by the incredible and iconic photographer @peggysirota #SchoolCounselorSpotlight #JCPenneySupport #schoolcounselorsofinstagram"19 likes, 2 comments - mianmilesmama on October 4, 2023: "Honored to be featured by @jcpenney for the @abbottelemabc Teacher’s Edition Volume 1. Thanks t..."

𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂, 𝑴.𝑬𝒅. (𝒔𝒉𝒆/𝒉𝒆𝒓) on Instagram: "Reaction Video. Still can’t believe this happened…. to part of my all time fave @abbottelemabc 🫶🏼 Thank you @jcpenney @healthiergeneration for honoring the work that I do #healthandwellness #schoolcounselor #makeitcount @abbottelemabc X @jcpenney @healthiergeneration @warnerbrostv @quintab"60 likes, 9 comments - bethereasonschoolcounselor on September 28, 2023: "Reaction Video. Still can’t believe this happened…. to part of my all time fave @abbottelemab..."