Board of Directors

The California Association of School Counselors Board of Directors consists of 13 individuals who serve as Directors, Corporate Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian.

	Lezya Weglarz  Chairperson   Email Lezya Weglarz serves as the Chairperson for the California Association of School Counselor Board of Directors and is Chair of the CASC Ethics Committee. She is the Multi Tiered System of Support program coordinator for the San Marcos Unified School District. Mrs. Weglarz is an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University and is a nationally recognized presenter on such topics as Strengthening School-Family Partnerships, Engaging the Disengaged Learner, and Helping Students Discover their Ikigai.
	Joanna Aragon Vice-Chairperson  Email Joanna Aragon serves as the Vice-Chair for the CASC Board of Directors and chairs the Awards & Recognition Committee. She has been with the Pittsburg Unified School District since 1989 when she began as an elementary school counselor. She is currently a school counselor at Hillview Junior High and an Adjunct Professor at Concordia University Irvine. Joanna has served on the CASC Board since 2017 and is a passionate advocate for the profession. Joanna received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, her master’s degree from California State University, East Bay and her Multiple Subjects teaching credential from St. Mary’s College of California.
	Andres Castro, Ed.D Secretary  Email Dr. Andres Castro is the Corporate Secretary for CASC. His love for CASC is rooted in what is stated in its mission statement and what it actively demonstrates each day: Advocacy for the profession & for school counselors across our golden state’s landscape! An elementary school counselor of 8 years, Andres currently serves in the Student Health & Human Services division for the Los Angeles Unified School District in the capacity of Pupil Services and Attendance Specialist-Administrator.
	Patty Taylor Treasurer  Email Patty Taylor retired from the San Bernardino City USD after 34 years as a school counselor. She has a passion for both teacher union work and advocacy for school counseling. She has served in many leadership roles in the San Bernardino Teachers Association, the California Teachers Association (CTC) and the National Education Association including SBTA President and NEA Board of Directors.Though retired, she continues to work tirelessly to ensure that school counselors are advocated for and supported within the union. She was a founding member of CASC and served as President from 2012-2013.
	Josh Godinez Director  Email Named the 2019 California School Counselor of the Year, Josh served as the President/Board Chair from 2020-2022. Over the past two decades, Josh has been a teacher, adjunct professor, head counselor, school counselor, and fieldwork supervisor. He continues to serve on numerous committees that advance the school counseling profession.
	Alma Lopez Director  Email Alma Lopez is a first-gen graduate from California State University Fresno and is the District School Counselor Coordinator for Livingston Union School District and a middle school counselor at Livingston Middle School. She serves as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) reviewer and is a board director for the California Association of School Counselors. She is the 2021 California School Counselor of the Year and the 2022 National School Counselor of the Year.
	Kirsten Barnes Parlimentarian  Email
	Dustin Seemann Director  Email Dustin has worked in K-12 and higher education for 20 years. He has served as a teacher, school counselor, and now as an assistant superintendent. He was named School Counselor of the Year in 2012 in the State of Illinois and semi-finalist for School Counselor of the Year for ASCA in 2014.
	Jordan Blevins Director  Email Jordan Blevins is a school counselor in Stockton, CA where her school received RAMP School of Distinction in 2021. She was named Stockton Unified’s School Counselor of the Year for 2022. She is the Chair for CASC’s Outreach and Engagement Committee, and teaches at California State University, Stanislaus and the University of La Verne.
	Dr. Aubrey Uresti Director  Email Dr. Aubrey Uresti is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at San José State University. She serves on the CASC Bylaws and Policy, Advocacy, and Legislation Committees. Dr.Uresti’s background as a K-12 educator, school counselor, and therapist informs her research on parental incarceration, grief and loss, and urban school counseling.
	Patricia Calkins Director  Email My name is Trisha Calkins. I have been a member of CASC for 6 years and an ASCA member for 8 years. In 2012 I received my master's degree in educational counseling and PPS credential. I worked in Capistrano Unified for six years and my school achieved RAMP in 2019.
	Diego Castro Director  Email Diego Castro is an elementary school counselor, RAMP recipient, and adjunct instructor. He is the CASC Central California Regional Representative and former CASC Emerging Leader. He serves as a member of GLSEN Merced and Merced LGBTQ+ Network. He earned his MA in Counselor Education, PPS Credential, and School Administration Studies.
	Nichole Harris Director  Email Nichole Harris is School Counselor, with 9 years of experience in elementary, middle and high school. She is passionate about advocacy and enjoys presenting about the impact of School Counselors. She is currently an ASCA RAMP Reviewer and was a member of the CASC Social Justice, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee.