Saint Mary's College High School

The Counseling Staff

Standing left to right:
Casey Filson, Bruce Halverson

Sitting left to right:
Janet Hack and Amy Gonzales

Bruce Halverson
Director of Guidance and Counseling
Counselor to grades 9-12; Last names Abrams through Gee

Mr. Halverson begins his second year here at Saint Mary’s, this year as the Director of our newly structured Guidance Department. Mr. Halverson has been a high school counselor, teacher and coach for the past twenty-nine years. His last stay was eleven years at Justin~Siena High School, in Napa, prior to that he was at St. Patrick-St. Vincent High school, in Vallejo, and he began his educational career at Archbishop Riordan High School in 1978. In addition to his counseling duties Mr. Halverson is also the Freshman Boy’s Basketball coach.
Direct Phone Number: (510) 559-6242 or (Click here) to email Mr. Halverson.

---

Janet Hack
Director of College Counseling
Janet Hack celebrates her thirtieth year at Saint Mary’s. Most of those years she taught French; she became Director of College Counseling eleven years ago. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in French and her secondary teaching credential from U.C. Davis, and completed her Certificate in College Admissions Advising from U.C. Berkeley extension in 1996. She is a member of the Western and National Associations for College Admission Counseling and serves on the planning committee for the annual East Bay College Connection College Fair. Mrs. Hack guides juniors and seniors through the many aspects of applying for college admission and financial aid. She believes that every Saint Mary’s graduate is able to pursue an education after high school and that there is a right college match for each.
Direct Phone Number: (510) 559-6219 or (Click here) to email Ms. Hack.

---

Casey Filson
Guidance Counselor
Born and raised in West Contra Costa County Mr. Filson attended Saint Mary's High School graduating in 1985. After attending both San Jose State and New York University Mr. Filson returned to Saint Mary's to run the band program, teach world history, and coach baseball, basketball, football, golf, and girls softball. After several years of teaching Mr. Filson obtained a Master Degree from Saint Mary's College in the field of school counseling and begin working in the counseling department in 1997.

After several years of running the student support services department Mr. Filson returned to the band program to rebuild a struggling music program and is now back in counseling full time. A student asked Mr. Filson why he would want to help kids with their problems. His response "Counseling is a beautiful challenge in the sense that if you are able to help young adults make good decisions currently, you will see them become successful young men and women who not only case about their careers and families, but also about others and society as a whole".
Direct Phone Number: (510) 559-6229 or (Click here) to email Mr. Filson.

---

Amy Gonzales
Guidance Counselor
As the newest member of the Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College High School, Ms. Gonzales is thrilled by the opportunity to work with students in this Lasallian community. Working as an admissions counselor for eight years at Saint Mary’s College and living campus dorms has prepared her to work with and support students as they determine their educational and career path. By building a relationship with students through individual appointments and group sessions, Ms. Gonzales hopes to prepare them during their time at SMCHS for their transition to life beyond graduation. Ms. Gonzales completed her Masters Degree and PPS certificate with honors in 2005. She is trained inPerson Centered and Solution Focused Counseling and has extensive knowledge in career and college counseling.
Direct Phone Number: (510) 559-6273 or (Click here) to email Ms. Gonzales