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Intentionally empowering the whole child

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Counseling

The Taylor High School counseling team is here to support students and their families achieve success, both academically and personally. Please use the links in the menu to navigate useful resources and helpful information. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor. We're here for you!

TISD Counseling Department Mission Statement
At Taylor ISD, we inspire, equip, and empower all students to achieve their unique potential by helping students find a sense of direction and overcome challenges as they pursue their desired destinations through a comprehensive school counseling and advising framework.


TISD Vision Statement
Intentionally empower the whole child. 

The Taylor High School counseling team is here to support students and their families achieve success, both academically and personally. Please use the links in the menu to navigate useful resources and helpful information. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor. We're here for you!

TISD Counseling Department Mission Statement
At Taylor ISD, we inspire, equip, and empower all students to achieve their unique potential by helping students find a sense of direction and overcome challenges as they pursue their desired destinations through a comprehensive school counseling and advising framework.


TISD Vision Statement
Intentionally empower the whole child. 

Counseling Staff

  • Abigail Cisneros A woman with dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera.
    Hi, I am Abigail Cisneros, this is my 14th year with the district. I graduated from THS class of 2004! My husband and I have 2 children. Jaime is a senior and Meleanie, who graduated THS in 2023, is working full-time. We have lived here in Taylor for 32 years and enjoy the small-town feeling. I love being able to serve our students, parents, and community!

    Go Ducks!

     

    Phone: 512.352.6326 Ext. 6062

    Email: acisneros@taylorisd.org

  • Christy Hortenstine A woman with blonde hair smiles, sitting at a desk.
    Christy Hortenstine joined the Taylor Independent School District team as the College Career Military Readiness Specialist in July 2021. She comes to us from Temple College where she was the Coordinator of Student Enrollment Services. Christy has over 10 years of experience working with students transitioning to college.  She has been an active part of the Taylor community for over 25 years and is passionate about helping our students.

    Christy's educational background includes graduating from Bronte High School, Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Public Relations.

    Christy is married to David Hortenstine, a local realtor with Patschke & Patschke Real Estate.  They have three children.  Lauren is a kindergarten teacher at TH Johnson Elementary, Matt is studying Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University and Mason is a junior at Taylor High School.

     

    Phone: 512-352-6326 x 6032

    Email: chortenstine@taylorisd.org

  • Laurie Morris A woman with curly red hair and glasses smiles at the camera.

    I have been a counselor at Taylor High School since August of 2021.  Prior to becoming a Duck, I was in Elgin ISD as a high school counselor from 2013 to 2021 and a classroom teacher from 2005 to 2013.  The majority of my time in the classroom was teaching 8th grade American History. I started my career in Education in Azle, Texas in 1992.   My husband and I love living on our 10 acres in the country where we keep bees.  My son, daughter-in-law, and grandson live near us and my daughter lives in Austin.  
     
    My favorite part of my job is helping students realize their goals and watching them become independent, self-sufficient young adults.  I encourage them to take ownership of their lives.  I am very solution focused and believe that the best way for students to develop is by taking action and responsibility.  I tell my students all the time that no one can force them to do anything and no one can do it for them, but we are here to help and support them in what they want to do.  
     
    The best way to contact me is via email. I look forward to hearing from you! 

    Email: lmorris@taylorisd.org

  • Meagan Baldauf A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera.

    Hello Ducks! I am so excited to be serving as a counselor at Taylor High School this year. I previously taught English at THS, and I'm honored to return as a counselor. It's great to be back! 
     
    As a military kid, I grew up moving around quite a bit, but I've lived in the Austin area for almost 17 years now. I graduated with a BA in English from LSU. I also studied Spanish while in undergrad and completed a summer study program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. My master's degree in counseling is through Angelo State University.  
     
    I have a 14-year-old son who will be starting his freshman year of high school this year. Our absolute favorite thing to do is to travel, and we do so as often as we can. I also spend a great deal of my spare time making pottery, and I am always reading a book or two. 
     
    Again, I am so happy to be at Taylor High School, and I am looking forward to a great year.  Please reach out to me if I can support you in any way!

  • Kari Schroeder A woman with blonde hair smiles directly at the camera.

    It is a privilege to work at Taylor High School! My husband and I both graduated from THS (Class of ‘92 and ‘93).  We are proud that our four children were/are being educated in the same school district. My son is a Senior Business Administration Major at Texas A&M and my oldest daughter is a Freshman Education Major at Texas A&M. My other two daughters are in 10th grade (THS) and 7th grade (TMS). We  have a 5.5 year old Double Doodle (Millie) and a 1.5 year old Golden Aussie Doodle (Ivy). I began my career as an elementary teacher and this is my eighth year as a high school counselor. I am honored to be in this position and cherish the many memories that are continually being made at Taylor High School!  Go Ducks!

  • Lisa Harley
    Hello Ducks!  My name is Lisa Harley, and I am new to the position of counselor’s secretary.  I was a military child and have traveled around the world.  I am married and have two grown children.  I retired from nursing after 30 years.  I have a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing and started at THS as a substitute nurse last year.  In my spare time I enjoy taking care of my farm animals, traveling and reading.


    Phone: 512.352.6326 Ext. 6113
    Email: lharley@taylorisd.org

What do high school counselors do?

  • According to Section 33 of the Texas Education Code, it is a school counselor’s responsibility to help each student develop their academic, career, personal, and social abilities through a comprehensive developmental guidance program.  A school counselor works as a team with staff, parents, and the community to create a successful atmosphere for students.
  • A school counselor plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive developmental guidance program that promotes the educational, career, personal, and social development of students.  The comprehensive developmental guidance program should include the following 4 components: guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning system, and system support.
  • Guidance Curriculum is taught through classroom instruction by the school counselor as a preventative or remedial measure that focuses on the developmental needs of students.  School counselors use the American School Counselor Association National Model and Texas Model to adapt their program to their school’s needs.  Both of these models provide competencies and desired learning outcomes that play a key role in accountability.  Examples of guidance units may include academic support (test-taking skills for instance), goal setting, career awareness, peer relationships, communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, diversity awareness, etc.
  • Responsive Services includes meeting with individual or small groups of students to counsel.  Small group counseling services are available through teacher referral, parent referral, staff referral or self referral by any student. Short term individual counseling is available as needed.  Counselors might also consult with parents, staff, or educators, refer students to other school support services or community resources, and provide intervention or advocacy at a systemic level.
  • An Individual Planning System helps students plan, monitor, and manage the decisions needed to be made throughout their educational career to establish goals and develop future plans.  It educates students on understanding themselves and their strengths and weaknesses.
  • System Support involves supporting the staff, parents, and members of the community in the context of the program’s goals.  This includes consulting and coordinating to help increase the effectiveness of the program and promote student success.  It may also involve professional development.

General Information