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Three new counselors at Tehachapi High School
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Posted by editor Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:47:27 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments 3) Beatrice Ortega is also a new counselor for the underclassmen.
Photos by Mathew Chew

Well qualified. This term would describe the three new counselors at Tehachapi High School. All three have completed a Master’s program, have previous experiences working with youth, and are excited about working with the students.

Mrs. Heather Hulsey

Professional. Heather Hulsey is the 12th grade counselor and the perfect role model for the senior class. She is quiet and very professional but exudes a strong “can do” attitude.

Born in Modesto and raised in northern California, she attended California State University, Bakersfield, then University of La Verne for her Master’s.

Hulsey worked as a counselor at Centennial High School in Bakersfield for four years, then followed her husband's career to Nevada and Arizona.

“I got my career back,” she remarked when asked how she came upon Tehachapi. “I love the mountains, and I can have horses again.”

Hulsey is quite impressed with the students at THS.

“The kids are cool. I've never seen so many students in honors and AP [Advanced Placement] classes,” she said. 

She also appreciates the staff and the sense of history that exists because of the tenured employees.

A significant goal for Hulsey is to encourage more students to apply to a four year college, particularly since she has noticed that more THS students are eligible than apply. She feels that this may be due in part to the students not knowing that they are indeed eligible and qualified for a four year college. This “can do” and “will do” attitude will serve the seniors well.

Mr. Randall Jackson

Positive. Randall Jackson is the counselor for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, last name A-K.

He quickly acknowledged the scheduling difficulties this year, but has decided that one of his early goals will be to analyze the problem to determine what was right and what was wrong…then fix it.

He is in a good position to evaluate the issue since he has taught for two years at THS and is familiar with the school district.

Born in Indianapolis, Jackson received his Bachelor's in industrial education from Purdue, a Master’s in industrial education from Ball State, and a Master’s in counseling from University of La Verne. 

He's been in education since 1980, both in teaching and counseling capacities. At THS, he taught CAD [computer assisted design], drafting, principles of engineering, and woodworking. He also serves the student body as the teacher advisor for the Robotics Club.

“We have high-caliber kids. The only reason I could teach beginning drafting, CAD, and architecture in the same class is because of the quality of the students,”  Jackson affirmed.  

In addition to resolving the scheduling issue, he wants to become better acquainted with the students, a possible feat now that the high school has three counselors and an improved student to counselor ratio.

Jackson also wants to secure the National Championship in Robotics, a realistic goal since the THS team most recently placed 25 out of 380 teams competing at the finals, and out of 1,100 teams world wide.

Mrs. Beatrice Ortega

Caring. Beatrice Ortega is the counselor for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, last name L-Z. She could easily be confused as one of the students until it is revealed that she has a son who is a freshman in Bakersfield. 

Her training in psychology at California State University, Bakersfield, led her to work as a social worker for a private foster care agency, a very emotional job she admits.

Following completion of a Master’s in counseling from CSUB, she taught English for one year before joining the counseling staff at THS.

“Shocked!” was Mrs. Ortega's response when asked what she thought of THS students.
“I am shocked with their wonderful grades. I had heard that the students here tested well, but I've been shocked since I first started!” 

Ortega acknowledges that she has been around youth for many years, but this is the first time she has come across young people who are polite and with whom she can have an adult conversation.

She told her husband, “You wouldn't believe how smart these kids are. I didn't know kids like this existed.” As a result, Mrs. Ortega will be enrolling her son at THS next year.

Because she is bilingual, Ortega would like to focus a portion of her energies on the needs of the growing Hispanic student population. She would like to encourage a better integration of the entire student body as well as encourage Hispanic students to seek academic opportunities after high school.

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