Referral System

Students may be referred for counseling services through online referral forms. Links to the online referral forms are located below.

Students may also request to meet with the school counselor by asking any staff member. All requests for counseling are important, and Mr. Smith will meet with every individual who needs support when available.

Virtual Wellness Room

Please explore the MDJDA Virtual Wellness Room which includes links, resources, and tools that can be used to support students through challenging times. 

Note: The resources included are intended for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended as psychological interventions or as a substitute for psychological or medical advice or treatments. PLEASE reach out to your counselor, principal, other trusted person at school, or a mental health professional to get connected with help if you need it!

Enjoy exploring!

Welcome

Hello, my name is Ron Smith and I am your school counselor here at Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy! Our counseling program is committed to providing each student with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary that will lead to behaviors that support their academic achievement and social-emotional well-being.

Throughout the school year, the counseling program will provide a variety of services for students and families in order to support the growth and development of all students. These services include:

• Classroom Guidance Lessons
• Short-term Individual Counseling
• Short-term Group Counseling
• Conflict Mediation
• Crisis Intervention
• Community Referrals and Resources
• Consultation

Parents, students, and teachers/staff can refer a student for routine concerns but referrals should not be used for mental health emergencies. If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room for help. If your child is having suicidal thoughts or making plans to harm themselves, you may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1- 800-273-TALK (8255) for free 24 hour hotline support.

MDJDA School Counseling

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that supports all students in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to become effective students, responsible citizens, caring and respectful members of the school community and broader society, and lifelong learners. This is accomplished through partnership with parents/guardians, teachers/staff, and community members to ensure students’ academic, career, social and emotional needs are met. 

Vision Statement

All students at Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy possess the academic skills to be lifelong learners, the social-emotional skills to be change agents in their communities and around the world, and are excited to explore and enter careers that fulfill them and contribute to their larger communities. They value and respect themselves and others from diverse backgrounds, believe in their ability to succeed, demonstrate empathy, make self-directed and responsible decisions, and are resilient through short and long-term challenges. 

Beliefs

The School Counselor Believes All Students:

• Are unique and should be treated with respect and dignity. 
• Are individuals that learn at their own pace. 
• Can learn, grow, and achieve when given appropriate and timely support and interventions.
• Are entitled to the services of a professional school counselor.
• Need appropriate personal and social skills to achieve optimum benefits from the educational program.
• Deserve to be members of a school community that is culturally compassionate and responsive.

The School Counseling Program:

• Understands that the collaborative effort between the school counselor, teachers, staff, administration, parents/guardians, and community members is essential for the growth and wellbeing of all students. 
• Is based upon specified goals, input from staff and parents, and developmental student standards.
• Is preventative and encompasses academic, social-emotional, and college & career domains to help prepare students for successful futures.

Get To Know Your School Counselor

Ron Smith M.A., PPS

Contact Information

Email
rsmith@mdjda.org
Office
Guadalupe Center Main Office
Phone
(619) 423-2121 x339

Education

San Diego State University
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Master of Arts, Education w/ Concentration in Counseling

Alliant International University
PPS Credential in School Counseling

Confidentiality

Information students share with the school counselor is considered confidential. The student’s right to privacy is guarded as much as permitted by law, ethics and school policy. However, the school counselor is obligated to break confidentiality when there is a potential harm to the student or others, or concern of neglect or abuse. In these cases, the school counselor has a legal, ethical, and professional responsibility to report these concerns to parents or the appropriate authorities.