LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Mario Mata

Position: Counselor
School: Washington Academic Middle School
School District: Sanger Unified School District
City, State: Sanger, CA

Support Mario Leave a comment Get Updates

Mario Mata was nominated by his colleague, Sokunveary Siv.

Mario Mata has been a school counselor at Washington Academic Middle School for the past nine years, servicing over 1,900 students each school year in grades 6-8. He is an active member of not only his school community, but the Sanger Community. He knows the history of the city and the families that have resided in the community for decades. More than 70% of the students at WAMS are classified as having a low socioeconomic status, and Mr.Mata plays a key role providing services to those in need.

Mr. Mata has been involved in the planning and improvement of the school’s culture through the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program. As part of the team, he has helped design and create rules and expectations for different areas on campus based on the data collected through discipline. He has played a role in helping his school earn a Gold Level PBIS Award.

Mr. Mata has also helped his school reduce suspensions by running a Restorative Justice Program (RJP). Students benefit through counseling type lessons and are given time to work on missing assignments, rather than staying home for a suspension. Many of the students who have gone through RJP have restored their behavior and have not been suspended again. In addition, Mr. Mata runs the peer mediation program, which allows peers to conduct mediations between students. He oversees the referrals and assist admins with more severe mediations to prevent altercations on campus.

More recently, he has helped with the organization of programs run by the Parent Student Advocates on campus. These advocates monitor students and assist with their academic and emotional wellbeing. Overall, GPAs have increased, and the number of suspensions has decreased. Some students have made promotion requirements that would not have happened without the advocate programs to support and monitor their academics. Mr. Mata's main role, however, is to counsel and provide support for those who are suicidal, lack social skills, struggle with behavior and personal issues, or lack motivation.

"Mario is one of most amazing LifeChangers at WAMS," Siv said. "He not only comes to work with a positive attitude, but he is willing to support our neediest students who have unstable home lives and need a caring adult to help them through their transitions at the middle school level. Mario works well with the families of his students and provides them with additional support when appropriate. In addition to his passion for helping students and improving our school’s culture, Mario enjoys coaching Soccer where he builds relationships with students outside of school hours."

692 808 700 677 679

Comments (8)

Ana Rivera Posted over a year ago

Truly a life Changer!! For many people that know Mario he has a strong impact on our students, whether if it's in the school setting or as their coach. I have heard so many great comments from students that still ask about him after they have already moved on, it is definitely a pride to know that such a person exists in our district, and better yet in our own school!! Knowing Mario for so long I've known his struggles and I believe because of those struggles in life is what makes him the indicated person to relate to these students in so many different ways. Mario will always put the students first, that is one thing that will never change because he truly cares about them and motivating them in any way possible!

Sherry Satterberg Posted over a year ago

I had the pleasure of working with Mario at Washington Academic Middle School for many years. He is a strong advocate for students and is always willing to go the extra mile to help a student, parent or staff member. For many students, Mario is the only person they can share their struggles with. They know he truly cares about them and will give them honest feedback about their behavior and what is best for them. Sanger Unified is blessed to have Mario as a counselor and the children of Washington Academic Middle School are better for having known him.

Harman Gill Posted over a year ago

Mr. Mata is an extremely passionate counselor. He constantly motivates our kids by trying to keep them focused on the positive. Moreover, he shares his own personal stories to inspire kids. Our students can attest to how determined he is to help the children who are the future of Sanger. He works tirelessly and never gives up on any students. He makes a connection with everyone he encounters and let's them know that he cares. All around amazing person, the definition of a Life Changer!

Leo Castillo Posted over a year ago

Mario Mata has made a great impact on our most neediest students. This year he has concentrated on working with SAP groups on a daily basis. He meets with 50 students on a daily basis. His groups are grief, behavior, personal issues, social skills, mean girls, and aggression. He is constantly busy and meets with students who are having a bad day. He also does many mediations with students who are having a tough time out in the playground. Mario is also part of the school community and he coaches our girl's soccer team. Mario has made an unmeasurable difference in the lives of our students.

Katherine Simons Posted over a year ago

I think Mario Mata is an excellent choice for the LifeChanger award. He is a very positive person, and has a great sense of humor. The kids that are counseled by him know that he cares, and they speak positively after attending his groups.

Janell Miller Posted over a year ago

Mr. Mata is very caring and is always wiling to help any students in need.

Susan Wright Posted over a year ago

Mr. Mata is always there when our kids need them. He is a rock to help support them as they grow and go through tough times in their lives.

Jennifer Calderon Posted over a year ago

Mr. Mata has a great rapport with all the students and staff at WAMS. His interaction with students during lunch shows that he is respected and well liked by all.