Meet Your Counselor

A little about myself - I have a passion for the opportunities college readiness can provide. I am a first-generation college graduate with 22 years of experience.

I am a proud product of the HCISD school system and obtained my B.S. in Criminal Justice from The University of Texas-Pan American, a Masters in Education in Guidance and Counseling at The University of Texas at Brownsville, and a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling at The University of Texas-Pan American.

I was invited to present a poster presentation at the 2011 National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference

(NCRE) National Conference and have been published in The Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education. At the 2013 RGV Lead Regional Conference, I was named the RGV Lead's Counselor of the Year Recipient.

counselor headshot

Dr. Valerie Paredes

Email Dr. Valerie Paredes
Phone: 956 - 430 - 9690

I have taught as an adjunct professor for the Our Lady of Our Lake Counseling program and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Rehabilitation Counseling and Guidance and Counseling programs. I look forward to continuing with the Owl tradition of excellence and assisting our students in gaining college credits while in high school. I truly believe education is the key to any future a student wishes to pursue.

Mission Statement
The Guidance and Counseling Department in Harlingen CISD is an integral part of the total educational program. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, developmental guidance and counseling program which is vital in the achievement of excellence. All students will be provided the opportunity to develop the academic,social, personal, college and career competencies needed to prepare them for post-secondary options, which includes work, military, higher education, and preparation as productive citizens and lifelong learners.

El departamento de consejería y orientación del distrito escolar de Harlingen es una parte integral del programa educativo en su totalidad. Nuestra misión es proveer un programa de consejería y orientación comprensivo el cual es vital en el logro de la excelencia. Todos los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de desarrollar competencias de desarrollo académico, social, personal, así como competencias universitarias y de carreras profesionales necesarias para prepararlos para opciones post-secundarias, incluyendo preparación para el trabajo, el ejército, la educación superior y la preparación como ciudadanos productivos y aprendices de por vida.

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