Supporting students here at Cypress High School is one of the many different roles Cypress counselors play. Whether it is social-emotional, college and career, or academics, the counselors are always ready to help. The Cypress counselors meet with different students weekly who need extra support, extra motivation, or who just have any questions. The Cypress High School counseling team has a new staff member for the 2024-2025 school year, Mr. Andy Ta. 

Ta is a first-year intern who attends school at Chapman University. He said, “I’m getting a dual degree in school counseling and clinical counseling as well; so supporting students with their mental health and overall well-being.”  Ta is here on campus twice a week and apart from working here he also works at a middle school. 

Ta was surprised at how comprehensive the counseling team is, including many staff members, such as the secretary, registrar, records keeper, social workers, psychologists, and counselors. Ta mentioned, “We have a great counseling team, and there’s great mental health support here at Cypress; that can be overlooked at times.”

Ta works with students referred by the counseling team, focusing on the three core domains of counseling: academic, social-emotional, and college and career. Ta said, “We encompass all these three aspects and do it in three different settings. We can do it individually, in small groups, or in classroom lessons.” Apart from working with students who counselors refer, he works with students based on need. “We try to use data-informed decision-making as much as possible,” he said. 

Ta enjoys rock climbing, camping, and trying out new restaurants in his free time. Make sure you make Ta feel welcomed in his first year of counseling.