counselors, counseling

Mission Statement

The Notre Dame High School Counseling Department is part of a community based on Holy Cross values of achievement, service, and respect. Counselors strive to meet the needs of students in the areas of academics, social adjustment, and career development. The counselors work toward building student independence over the course of four years.

Our mission is to develop self-awareness, critical thinking and responsibility, as well as to encourage continued growth in these areas throughout life. We believe that this mission is a partnership between students, parents, counselors, teachers, and administrators, and results in helping students reach their individual potential in academics, service and the social areas of their lives.

Counselors endeavor to act as positive role models to students and foster mutual respect in an environment of care and concern. This mission is accomplished through both individual and group meetings and presentations for students throughout the year, that are conducted by Notre Dame counselors as well as expert guest speakers. Special group sessions are also held for parents so that they will be current on the latest college admissions information as well as pertinent knowledge regarding changes in adolescent social environments.

Notre Dame counselors work to help students with learning differences. Although the Notre Dame campus is not equipped to present a full range of special services, the school is able to facilitate minor adjustments within the college preparatory program to assist students with certain disabilities.

News from the Counseling Office

Mark your Calendars:

November 2, 2020: Junior Parent Q&A 8:30-9:30 a.m.
November 12, 2020: NCAA Night, 7 p.m.
November 16, 2020: Sophomore Parent Q&A 8:30-9:30 a.m.
November 17, 2020: CSU Application Workshop for Senior Students, 3 p.m.
November 18, 2020: Senior Parent FAQ’s 8:30-9:30 a.m.
November 23, 2020: UC Application Workshop for Senior Students, 3 p.m.
November 30, 2020: UC and CSU Application Deadline for Seniors

Junior College Admissions Testing Night

Junior Families, please save the date for Tuesday, December 8, at 7 p.m. We will be hosting a virtual presentation to discuss college admission testing (SAT, ACT, Subject Tests) that will be useful to parents and juniors alike. Topics will include the impact of COVID-19 on testing, when site-based testing may resume, how colleges are responding, suggested testing timelines, and much more. Registration information and more details will be emailed directly to Junior families. A similar and grade-level appropriate presentation will be held for sophomore families at a later date TBA.

Parent Coffee Sessions

Parent Coffee Sessions are optional sessions to allow parents to have the floor to ask questions and receive immediate feedback from the counselors in an informal, comfortable setting. Attendance is not mandatory and parents may come/leave when they need to as their schedule allows. If you are unable to attend and do have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's counselor directly - we are here to help!

Naviance

Sophomores and Juniors should take every opportunity to acquaint themselves with the extensive Naviance resources that are available, including career exploration tools and college choice management tools. Naviance also offers FREE SAT and ACT practice for those who plan to take tests in the Winter or Spring, assuming test dates are available.

Seniors should focus on continuing to explore schools, attending virtual ND rep visits, narrowing down their college list, and finishing their essays. All schools that you are applying to MUST be added to your “Applying to List” in Naviance. We will be unable to send documents to colleges on your behalf if they are not on this list.

Rep Visits

Each fall, admissions representatives from all over the US, Canada, and the UK visit Notre Dame students on campus as an opportunity for students to learn more about specific schools, admissions and ask reps questions. This year, those visits will happen virtually. Students are welcome to sign up for as many visits as they would like, and seniors are especially encouraged to attend as many as possible for schools they consider or plan to apply to. Please check the list in Naviance to sign up. Junior and sophomores are welcome to attend as well. These virtual visits are intended for students, not parents.

University Connections

Most universities are not offering in-person tours and are instead trying to keep prospective students engaged by bringing their campuses to you via virtual tours, live chats, and informational sessions. YouVisit or CampusReel are two excellent sites for virtual exploration. Please visit college websites and contact college admission offices for the most up-to-date information regarding that institution.

To help students continue to engage with various colleges, the counseling office will be hosting several virtual College Rep visits in the fall as well as application workshops for seniors. This allows students to still connect with and learn about the colleges that interest them. We will continue to work with colleges to give our students the most access possible.

SAT/ACT Testing

The Counseling Office is staying vigilant about changes to the testing landscape. Many universities continue to announce Test Optional or Test Blind policies for the next year and beyond. It is important to note: while admission offices may announce these policies, test scores may still be an important aspect of admission for selective universities, selective majors or selective scholarships. The College Board (SAT) and (ACT) continue to add dates to make the exams more accessible, but these dates fill up quickly and may be cancelled/rescheduled if large gatherings continue to be deemed unsafe. If your student is able to take any of these exams, please expect that they will likely only be able to take either test once.

Unfortunately, at this time, due to the realities and challenges of having a school day SAT or ACT, Notre Dame does not currently have plans to hold either exam on campus.

Quick Links

Senior Counselors

List of 4 items.

Val Pantell

Counselor (A-Di)
(818) 933-3645
pantell@ndhs.org
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Valerie Pantell has been at Notre Dame High School for twelve years. As a senior counselor, she guides students in the exploration, planning, and preparation for admission to college.

Ms. Pantell shares her love for learning and academic competition as co-facilitator of the Notre Dame Academic Decathlon team for the past 8 years. Ms. Pantell spent her early years at Notre Dame High School teaching Psychology and World History, but within two years, she followed her passion in counseling and became the Lead Freshman Counselor.

She also worked individually with students from freshman through junior years to support their personal, academic, and college choices. Her background includes an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA with a major in Psychology, and she earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University. Ms. Pantell’s early educational background was as a Junior High teacher at St. Mel Catholic Elementary School.

She holds membership to organizations that include NACAC, ASCA, and WACAC.
Mackenzie Millan

Senior Counselor (Do-Kir)
(818) 933-3646
millan@ndhs.org
Read More
Mackenzie's college admissions background began at the American Jewish University where she recruited and admitted freshman and transfer undergraduate students locally and from out-of-state. Most recently she served as the Assistant Director of Admission at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where her responsibilities included: counseling high school students on the college application and financial aid process, reading and evaluating freshmen and transfer applications, and training new admissions counselors. While a graduate student at Mount Saint Mary’s she also spent time offering career exploration services to students, and helped students in their job search by providing resume and cover letter support, as well as helping them hone their interview skills. Mackenzie attended Indiana University as an undergraduate and spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Kent. Her graduate degree is in Guidance and Counseling through Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education, and she also holds a certificate in college counseling through the University of California at San Diego.
Jessica Lewis

Senior Counselor (Kis-Ri)
(818) 933-3696
lewis@ndhs.org
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A Los Angeles native with Caribbean roots, Jessica joined the Notre Dame Counseling Department in 2017 serving as the department assistant. She earned her B.S in Organizational Psychology from Saint Mary's College of CA. She previously served as a College Counselor for a local all-girls Catholic high school.

Prior to counseling, Jessica spent close to 10 years in supplemental education as a Senior Director with SCORE! Educational Centers, followed by advisory roles for test prep organizations. She comes with a wealth of knowledge not just in college advising, but SAT/ACT testing as well. She is a member of the Western Association of College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Mae Greenwald

Senior Counselor (Ro-Z)
(818) 933-3642
greenwald@ndhs.org
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Mae Greenwald has been with Notre Dame High School since the fall of 2007. Her past positions here include Director of Counseling, a member of Academic Council, and AP Coordinator. She has always worked with seniors, counseling them with college choice and financial aid options. Mae earned her M.S. degree in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Career Counseling from California State University, Northridge after earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Mae has taught Special Issues in College Counseling for the UCLA College Counseling Certificate program and prior to that assignment, taught two graduate courses in Career Counseling and School Counseling at California State University, Northridge. She spent two admission seasons evaluating applications for UCLA. Mae regularly presents topics on career counseling and college counseling for career access programs such as the Fulfillment Fund, CSUN graduate programs, and Las Virgenes high schools and Oak Park High School College Knowledge event every fall.

Junior Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Counselor (A-C)
(818) 933-3647
mejia@ndhs.org
Read More
Steve Mejia has been with Notre Dame High School since 2017. He is a San Fernando Valley native who grew up in Chatsworth and has always had a great respect for the Notre Dame community. He served in the United States Air Force for ten years as a Supply/Logistics Staff Sergeant and was stationed at various locations stateside, as well as in Europe and Asia. He also deployed with multiple tours to Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait before returning to civilian life. Steve earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling, and obtained his Pupil Personnel Services credential all from California State University, Northridge. Steve has served as a school counselor for middle school students helping them prepare for the adjustment to high school and has also worked at Los Angeles Valley College where he assisted first-year college students in course selection and preparation for transferring to four-year colleges. Steve holds membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).
Bill Kearns

Counselor (D-K)
(818) 933-3644
kearns@ndhs.org
Read More
Bill is in his seventh year at Notre Dame High School. Bill has been in high school education for thirty years as a teacher, counselor, and coach. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Whittier College then went on to earn an M.A. in Education from California State University, Northridge. He earned his College Counseling Certificate from University of California at San Diego and earned his M.A. in School Counseling with a PPS through Concordia University, Irvine.

Bill is also an adviser for the National Honor Society, and responsible for guidance programming and counseling students in grades 9 -11 for post-secondary opportunities.

Bill is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), as well as the National Association of College Admissions Counselor (NACAC) and the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors (WACAC).
Jessica Lopez

Counselor (L-Q)
(818) 933-3695
lopez@ndhs.org
Read More
Jessica Lopez joined the Notre Dame family in the fall of 2017. Previously, she served as a school counselor for middle and high school students for Los Angeles Unified School District. Jessica also worked at Los Angeles Pierce College where she helped incoming college students with their application process.

Jessica brings mental health awareness to our school community, grief group counseling, coordination of SAT, career exploration and social/emotional/academic counseling skills. She is also the faculty moderator for Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) club. This student-led club focuses on eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental health by increasing awareness and fostering conversations in a safe and educational environment.

Her background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and International Business from Cal State University Northridge. Jessica’s graduate degree is in Education Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services credential from National University. Jessica is a member of various counseling organizations, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), California Association of School Counselors (CASC) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Martine Abdaem

Director of Counseling & Counselor (R-Z)
(818) 933-3643
abdaem@ndhs.org
Read More
Martine Abdaem is in her ninth year at Notre Dame High School. She is the Director of Counseling and counsels freshmen with last names Se-Z and sophomores and juniors with last names R-Z. Martine has worked in school counseling for the past sixteen years, previously working at Saint Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica and interning in the Burbank Unified School District. She holds her M.S. degree in Counseling, with a specialization in School Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Credential from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. degree in Psychology from UCLA. Martine also has teaching experience, having taught psychology, study skills, and freshman English courses while working at Saint Monica.

Martine brings enormous experience to Notre Dame in areas such as Naviance, coordination of PSAT and AP exams for all students, group counseling, as well as counseling skills for all grade levels in the areas of academic, college, career, and personal counseling.

Martine is an active member of several counseling organizations, including the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Sophomore Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Counselor (A-G)
(818) 933-3647
mejia@ndhs.org
Read More
Steve Mejia has been with Notre Dame High School since 2017. He is a San Fernando Valley native who grew up in Chatsworth and has always had a great respect for the Notre Dame community. He served in the United States Air Force for ten years as a Supply/Logistics Staff Sergeant and was stationed at various locations stateside, as well as in Europe and Asia. He also deployed with multiple tours to Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait before returning to civilian life. Steve earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling, and obtained his Pupil Personnel Services credential all from California State University, Northridge. Steve has served as a school counselor for middle school students helping them prepare for the adjustment to high school and has also worked at Los Angeles Valley College where he assisted first-year college students in course selection and preparation for transferring to four-year colleges. Steve holds membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).
Bill Kearns

Counselor (H-Mc)
(818) 933-3644
kearns@ndhs.org
Read More
Bill is in his seventh year at Notre Dame High School. Bill has been in high school education for thirty years as a teacher, counselor, and coach. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Whittier College then went on to earn an M.A. in Education from California State University, Northridge. He earned his College Counseling Certificate from University of California at San Diego and earned his M.A. in School Counseling with a PPS through Concordia University, Irvine.

Bill is also an adviser for the National Honor Society, and responsible for guidance programming and counseling students in grades 9 -11 for post-secondary opportunities.

Bill is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), as well as the National Association of College Admissions Counselor (NACAC) and the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors (WACAC).
Jessica Lopez

Counselor (Me-Sc)
(818) 933-3695
lopez@ndhs.org
Read More
Jessica Lopez joined the Notre Dame family in the fall of 2017. Previously, she served as a school counselor for middle and high school students for Los Angeles Unified School District. Jessica also worked at Los Angeles Pierce College where she helped incoming college students with their application process.

Jessica brings mental health awareness to our school community, grief group counseling, coordination of SAT, career exploration and social/emotional/academic counseling skills. She is also the faculty moderator for Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) club. This student-led club focuses on eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental health by increasing awareness and fostering conversations in a safe and educational environment.

Her background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and International Business from Cal State University Northridge. Jessica’s graduate degree is in Education Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services credential from National University. Jessica is a member of various counseling organizations, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), California Association of School Counselors (CASC) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Martine Abdaem

Director of Counseling & Counselor (Se-Z)
(818) 933-3643
abdaem@ndhs.org
Read More
Martine Abdaem is in her ninth year at Notre Dame High School. She is the Director of Counseling and counsels freshmen with last names Se-Z and sophomores and juniors with last names R-Z. Martine has worked in school counseling for the past sixteen years, previously working at Saint Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica and interning in the Burbank Unified School District. She holds her M.S. degree in Counseling, with a specialization in School Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Credential from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. degree in Psychology from UCLA. Martine also has teaching experience, having taught psychology, study skills, and freshman English courses while working at Saint Monica.

Martine brings enormous experience to Notre Dame in areas such as Naviance, coordination of PSAT and AP exams for all students, group counseling, as well as counseling skills for all grade levels in the areas of academic, college, career, and personal counseling.

Martine is an active member of several counseling organizations, including the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Freshmen Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Counselor (A-C)
(818) 933-3647
mejia@ndhs.org
Read More
Steve Mejia has been with Notre Dame High School since 2017. He is a San Fernando Valley native who grew up in Chatsworth and has always had a great respect for the Notre Dame community. He served in the United States Air Force for ten years as a Supply/Logistics Staff Sergeant and was stationed at various locations stateside, as well as in Europe and Asia. He also deployed with multiple tours to Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait before returning to civilian life. Steve earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling, and obtained his Pupil Personnel Services credential all from California State University, Northridge. Steve has served as a school counselor for middle school students helping them prepare for the adjustment to high school and has also worked at Los Angeles Valley College where he assisted first-year college students in course selection and preparation for transferring to four-year colleges. Steve holds membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).
Bill Kearns

Counselor (D-Ki)
(818) 933-3644
kearns@ndhs.org
Read More
Bill is in his seventh year at Notre Dame High School. Bill has been in high school education for thirty years as a teacher, counselor, and coach. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Whittier College then went on to earn an M.A. in Education from California State University, Northridge. He earned his College Counseling Certificate from University of California at San Diego and earned his M.A. in School Counseling with a PPS through Concordia University, Irvine.

Bill is also an adviser for the National Honor Society, and responsible for guidance programming and counseling students in grades 9 -11 for post-secondary opportunities.

Bill is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), as well as the National Association of College Admissions Counselor (NACAC) and the Western Association of College Admissions Counselors (WACAC).
Jessica Lopez

Counselor (Ko-O)
(818) 933-3695
lopez@ndhs.org
Read More
Jessica Lopez joined the Notre Dame family in the fall of 2017. Previously, she served as a school counselor for middle and high school students for Los Angeles Unified School District. Jessica also worked at Los Angeles Pierce College where she helped incoming college students with their application process.

Jessica brings mental health awareness to our school community, grief group counseling, coordination of SAT, career exploration and social/emotional/academic counseling skills. She is also the faculty moderator for Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) club. This student-led club focuses on eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental health by increasing awareness and fostering conversations in a safe and educational environment.

Her background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and International Business from Cal State University Northridge. Jessica’s graduate degree is in Education Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services credential from National University. Jessica is a member of various counseling organizations, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), California Association of School Counselors (CASC) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Martine Abdaem

Director of Counseling & Counselor (P-Z)
(818) 933-3643
abdaem@ndhs.org
Read More
Martine Abdaem is in her ninth year at Notre Dame High School. She is the Director of Counseling and counsels freshmen with last names Se-Z and sophomores and juniors with last names R-Z. Martine has worked in school counseling for the past sixteen years, previously working at Saint Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica and interning in the Burbank Unified School District. She holds her M.S. degree in Counseling, with a specialization in School Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Credential from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. degree in Psychology from UCLA. Martine also has teaching experience, having taught psychology, study skills, and freshman English courses while working at Saint Monica.

Martine brings enormous experience to Notre Dame in areas such as Naviance, coordination of PSAT and AP exams for all students, group counseling, as well as counseling skills for all grade levels in the areas of academic, college, career, and personal counseling.

Martine is an active member of several counseling organizations, including the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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Counseling

Mission Statement

News from the Counseling Office

Quick Links

List of 1 items.

Mental Health Resources

Directory

Senior Counselors

List of 4 items.

Val Pantell

Mackenzie Millan

Jessica Lewis

Mae Greenwald

Junior Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Bill Kearns

Jessica Lopez

Martine Abdaem

Sophomore Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Bill Kearns

Jessica Lopez

Martine Abdaem

Freshmen Counselors

List of 4 items.

Steve Mejia

Bill Kearns

Jessica Lopez

Martine Abdaem

Counseling Assistant

List of 1 items.

Megan Remo

Athletic Liaison

List of 1 items.

Dustin Snyder

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