LA VERNE, CA – The California Association of School Counselors (CASC) proudly announces Diego Castro. School Counselor at Hoover Middle School in Merced City School District as the 2026 California School Counselor of the Year. This prestigious statewide honor celebrates Diego’s outstanding leadership, equity-focused practices, strategic data use, and transformative student impact. His work strengthens the school counseling profession and empowers students, families, and communities.

🔎 Student-Centered Advocacy

Diego’s counseling practices align with the ASCA National Model and the belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered. He:

• Delivers multi-tiered, multi-domain systems of support (MTMDSS) across sites
• Leads classroom lessons, schoolwide activities, and individual planning
• Analyzes academic, attendance, and behavioral data to guide equitable interventions
• Partnered with families and stakeholders to foster inclusive, student-centered environments

A parent, Amy Brambila, who also serves as Vice President of El Capitan's Parent Club, shared in her letter of recommendation:

“Mr. Castro strongly supports all students and ensures that every child feels seen, heard, and valued—both academically and emotionally. He has a unique ability to connect with students, fostering a safe environment where they can thrive. My child has grown more confident and resilient largely because of Mr. Castro’s consistent guidance. His commitment to empowering families through regular parent workshops and his dedication to advocating for equitable opportunities and resources for all students has made a lasting impact on countless students and families. Mr. Castro exemplifies what it means to be a transformative counselor—someone who not only supports students in the present but also empowers them for the future.”

In addition to his site-based work, Diego serves as Vice Chair of the CASC Board, a CASC Regional Representative, and an Adjunct Instructor at CSU Stanislaus, where he mentors future school counselors.

Read his full advocacy documentation →

📊 Transforming Attendance at El Capitan Elementary

In one of the most impactful projects of the year, Diego addressed chronic absenteeism among kindergarten students. He discovered that 18 students had missed a combined total of 494 days during the 2022–2023 school year. His comprehensive intervention plan included:

• Analysis of school climate survey data revealing weak student teacher connections
• Tier 1 strategies such as “Feel Good Friday” and attendance-themed classroom lessons
• Tier 2 supports like small group counseling, goal setting, and parent engagement
• Tier 3 services including individual case management and SARB meetings

By the end of the 2023–2024 school year, total absences among the group had dropped to 55 days, an astounding 88.89 percent reduction, far surpassing the original 20 percent improvement target.

See his attendance goal plan → 

See his attendance goal results→ 

💞 Leading with Compassion in Times of Crisis

When El Capitan Elementary experienced the tragic loss of a student in a house fire, Diego responded with swift compassion and leadership:

• Developed a schoolwide trauma response plan with a calming center and triage system
• Coordinated home visits, grief counseling, and community resources for the family
• Led trauma-informed professional development for staff and parent workshops

His leadership ensured not only immediate support but lasting systems of care and resilience.

Read his crisis leadership plan →

📚 Advancing Counselor Practice through Professional Learning

As Delhi Unified’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) Counseling Lead, Diego:

• Conducts regular training for Family Support Counselors on data-informed practice
• Facilitates districtwide workshops aligned with the ASCA National Model
• Mentors school counseling interns at CSU Stanislaus
• Mentors BIPOC school counselors for ASCA 

He also presents at major conferences including ASCA, CASC, Hatching Results, and National Education Association: LGBTQ. His End of Year Report Template is used by counselors across the country as a tool for demonstrating impact.

Explore his professional learning documentation →

⚖️ A Champion for Equity and Systemic Change

Diego ensures equity is embedded in every system he touches. At El Capitan, districtwide, at the state level, he:

• Aligns school counseling programs with MTSS frameworks
• Facilitates Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention meetings and SEL implementation
• Leads PBIS initiatives and uses data to advocate in IEP, 504, and SST meetings
• Conducts School Board Presentations to advocate for the school counseling profession
• Serves on CASC’s Social Justice and Anti-Racism Committee, promoting statewide change

His equity-focused leadership not only uplifts students—it transforms educational systems.

Read his Delhi Unified Elementary School Counseling Programs Board Report →