About Our Counseling Center

Counseling Center Mission Statement: The Counseling Center provides
a safe and confidential environment to help students express their emotions
and find the inner strength to heal their mind, body, and spirit.

The Counseling Center offers the following services:

Girls Circle – The purpose of Girls Circle is to encourage the development
of strength, courage, confidence, honesty, and communication skills. The
group provides the opportunity to self-express within a safe, caring
environment encouraging self-confidence, authenticity in relationships,
and enhanced judgment skills.

Boys Council – Boys Council is a strengths-based group that promotes
boys’ safe, strong, and healthy passage through pre-teen years.
The curriculum includes lessons on self discovery and expression through
self respect and the development of a healthy life perspective.

Hospice – King Chavez partners with Hospice Counselors to provide
support services to children during transitional times.

UCSD – University students meet with KC students and provide mentor
and tutoring services.

SDSU – Through loving, one-on-one relationships, SDSU baseball players
serve as role models to help children reach their academic, emotional, and
spiritual potential.

Yoga and meditation – Classes in yoga and meditation help students in
the following areas: anger management, awareness and concentration,
physical health, healthy responses to conflict, and creating peace within
themselves and in their community.

Circle of Peace Club – An after school program designed to inspire students
to create peace within themselves and the community. This chapter of the
Peace Club is associated with a larger organization called “Kids for Peace.”
Students will learn how to find inner peace and ways to handle anger and stress.
The program culminates in a peacemaking community service project.

The Primary Gardening Project (TPGP)

TPGP works with K-2nd grade to give hands-on training to beautify their school
through gardening and landscaping the grounds of King Chavez.

The Boys Unity Group (TBUG)

TBUG is a support group that creates unity among students. The program
develops team-work skills, and generates extra-curricular stimulation that
allows the boys to develop their individuality and authenticity. The foundation
of TBUG is developing patience, tolerance, and understanding toward others.
The boys are instructed to implement these concepts in the group, in the
classroom, and their personal lives. Throughout the seven week sessions,
the boys fundraise with one another, do group activities that further develop
the concepts of TBUG, and go on fieldtrips such as bonfires at the beach,
nature-walks, or visiting our local Sk8Parks.

Jesse Jimenez

Mr. Jesse Jimenez joined the King Chavez Counseling Staff after obtaining a
Masters Degree in Education, with an Emphasis in Multi-Cultural Counseling
from San Diego State University’s Community Based Block Program (CBB).
Shortly after joining the King Chavez Family, Mr. Jesse works with the
counseling staff to address the mental health needs of the students.
Mr. Jesse and the counseling staff have developed supportive groups such
as The Boys Council (TBC), The Boys Unity Group (TBUG), and The Primary
Gardening Project. Mr. Jesse is extremely excited to assist the children in
discovering their authenticity, individuality, and love for one another.

Lara Eisenberg

Miss Eisenberg received a BA in Spanish from Albany University
in New York. She spent her junior year abroad in Madrid, Spain
studying Spanish language,culture, and art. Her love of different cultures,
fascination of human development, and the Spanish language led her
to complete a dual Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling
from Columbia University. Miss Eisenberg worked as a Marriage
and Family Intern for one year and has been a School Counselor
since 2003. She continues to study different healing practices such as
yoga, meditation, and energy psychology.

Miss Eisenberg co-facilitates girls’ counseling groups and runs a yoga &
meditation program. She will be working with the Tariq Khamisa Foundation
in two after school clubs: “The Peace Club” and “Healthy Relationships Club.”
Miss Eisenberg utilizes mindful practices such as deep breathing, guided
visualization, and affirmations when working with children. She teaches tools
to problem solve, deal with emotions, and to always search for peace within.
As children heal physically, emotionally and spiritually they learn to share their
true nature of love and peace with the community

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who
can live at peace with others.”
-Peace Pilgrim

Juan Carlos Nieblas

Juan Carlos Nieblas has been working at King Chavez Public Schools
since 2006. He works in the Counseling Center doing supportive
counseling in group settings and one-on-one with K-7. Along with
counseling he provides support for English Language Learners.
Mr. Juan Carlos often serves as a translator, runs the Circulo de
Hombres program with the Prep Academy, The Boys Unity Group
(TBUG), and The Boys Council. He enjoys connecting with students,
especially through his passion, soccer!

Mr. Juan Carlos grew up near the school and remains an active member of the
community. Being bicultural and bilingual, Mr. Juan Carlos truly understands
and respects the importance of staying connected to his roots and maintaining relationships with the people in his community. He involves himself with the
community through cultural events and participates in cultural awareness
programs such as Dia de Los Muertos celebrations and Danza Azteca.
Mr. Juan Carlos earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Alliant
International University. He had the opportunity to study for two years in
Mexico City where he had an amazing, humbling experience. He plans to
further his education in Marriage and Family Therapy and aspires to be a
licensed therapist.

Karen Tapia

Karen Tapia has been working for King Chavez Arts Academy since its
inception in 2005. She graduated from SDSU with a BA in Dance and was
awarded Outstanding Student in Dance. Her passion lies in the cultivation of
self through artistic expression and reflection. At King Chavez, Miss Karen
teaches Guided Reading, yoga classes, and Girls Circle. She also leads an
after-school Tribal Bellydance club that teaches pride in feminine identity
through movement, rhythm, and working in harmony with one another.
Miss Karen is working as a counseling intern and plans to further her
education in the healing arts profession. She also teaches, performs,
and collaborates within the San Diego arts community.

Gerry Guevara

Gerry Guevara has been working at King Chavez since 2006 and loves
serving the King Chavez community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music
from UCSD and is pursuing a Master’s in School Counseling. Mr. Guevara is
excited to incorporate music into his counseling work. He has been a
professional musician for over fifteen years and volunteers as director
of a church youth choir. He values his Latino roots and is proud to be
bilingual. Mondays and Fridays you can find Mr. Guevara in the
Counseling Center. Tuesdays through Thursdays he teaches Guided
Reading and Music in the Primary Academy.

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