Guidance & Counseling
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The mission of the Guidance / Counseling/ College Readiness Department is to implement a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program in grades PreK-12 that promotes student success through a focus on academic achievement, prevention and intervention activities, advocacy and social/emotional and career development to meet the needs of the students.
The comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program model is embedded into the Hays CISD academic curriculum and covers these strands:
- Self-knowledge and acceptance
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Responsible behavior
- Conflict resolution
- Decision making/problem solving
- Motivation to achieve
- Goal setting
- Career planning
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We encourage you to make an appointment with your student's counselor to view the guidance curriculum and discuss what you can do together to create the most successful educational experience possible.
Use the links on the left for more information on the counseling model used in Hays CISD, the district's character education program, answers to a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) including how College/Career Readiness is determined, and resource links to important web sites for career and college preparation.
Department Staff Contacts

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Maritza Gonzalez
Director of Guidance, College & Career Readiness
Credentials: Teaching Secondary, Counseling and Principal
Maritza.Gonzalez@hayscisd.net
(512) 268-2141 X45020
Kara Montiel
Secretary - C&I
Kara.Montiel@hayscisd.net
(512) 268-2141 X45032
LindaRae Johnson,
MA, MBA, CSC
Mental Health Professional/ Parent Success Center Lead
lindarae.johnson@hayscisd.net
(512) 268-2141 ext. 45160
Shannon Howell, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Professional/ Clinical Social Worker
shannon.howell@hayscisd.net
(512) 268-2141 ext. 45171
Rachel Maldonado, LMSW
Mental Health Professional/ NAC Family Support Counselor
rachel.maldonado@hayscisd.net
(512) 268-2141 ext. 45178
IN PARTNERSHIP with INTERNS from:
*GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK from the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
*ST. EDWARDS UNIVERSITY - Community Counseling Clinic