Hello! My name is Michelle Cristerna, but I go by my nickname, Miki, with students, parents and staff. I grew up in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia inside the ‘beltway’ of Washington, D.C. I lived there until I graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, VA, class of 1985. After graduation I headed to Richmond, VA where I attended Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology & Cultural Anthropology. During my time as an undergraduate student, I enlisted in the US Navy Reserves, completing my service in 1994. I served in several reserve units based in Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland and spent my active duty time at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, DC and Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland.
After completing my bachelors degree, I enrolled in a Special Education Teaching Credential Program with the University of Virginia. While completing my credential and after, I worked as a teacher/case manager for students in a residential state operated program at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children - Medical College of Virginia.
In 1998, I decided to move to California to pursue graduate school. I completed my masters degree in Clinical Psychology/Art Therapy Psychology at Notre Dame De Namur University in Belmont, CA. I then obtained my Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling from the University of San Francisco and completed licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist.
I have worked in SUHSD for over 13 years, now at Sequoia High School, starting my second year as their Intervention Counselor. At Sequoia HS, I oversee the 504 evaluation process and collaborate closely with students, teachers, families and other members of our Sequoia Intervention Team. I am honored to be starting my second year at Sequoia High School, with its incredible students, staff and school community. And yes, starting year two, I still feel like a newbie!