South High School Guidance Contact Information
Jacquelin Allen – Assistant Principal – (516)-791-0312
Meet Your South High School Counselors
Vincent Baio – South High School
Senior High Counselor – Grades 9-12
Bachelor’s Degree – SUNY Albany
Master’s Degree – CUNY Brooklyn
As a school counselor, I want all of my students to feel cared for, valued, and understood. My role is to support students’ holistic development to reach their fullest potential.
Jeanne Battaglia – South High School
Junior High Counselor – Grades 7- 9
Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising – Towson University
Master’s in School Counseling – C. W. Post Long Island University
I help the students set academic goals and take steps to reach them. I lend social and emotional support, essential for each student to be their “best self”. I enjoy working with the students very much and bringing them to their full potential.
Russell Garcia — South High School
Senior High Counselor – Grades 9 – 12
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Adelphi University
Master’s Degree in School Counseling – Alfred University
Hello Valley Stream South community! I am thrilled to introduce myself as your dedicated school counselor. My name is Russell Garcia, and I am deeply passionate about supporting our students on their academic and personal journeys. With a strong commitment to their well-being, I am here to provide guidance, lend a listening ear, and offer resources to help our students thrive. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful community and look forward to working together to ensure our students’ success and happiness.
Michelle Lopez – South High School
Senior High Counselor – Grades 9 -12
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Baruch College
Master’s Degree in Secondary Education-Spanish – Stony Brook University
Master’s Degree in School Counseling – Hofstra University
As a school counselor, I am dedicated to supporting the academic, social and emotional success of every student. I work collaboratively with families, teachers, and staff to create a positive and inclusive school environment where students can thrive, set goals and develop lifelong skills for success.
Karen Miller– South High School
Senior High Counselor – Grades 9-12
Bachelor’s Degree – CUNY Queens College
Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and certification in School Counseling- Long Island
University C. W. Post Campus
My goals as a school counselor are to provide students with the resources and tools to meet success academically, socially, and emotionally. I truly enjoy assisting students in creating goals for themselves to achieve! I feel very fortunate to work within the Valley Stream community as a counselor and a coach.
Melissa Keegan – South High School
Junior High Counselor – Grades 7-9
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology – Hofstra University
Master’s Degree in Counselor Education – Hofstra University
I truly love working as a school counselor and feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with students every day. My goal is to provide students with the necessary resources and support to allow them to achieve their own individual success. My philosophy is that all students are unique and need to be treated as such. I will always strive to help each student reach their greatest potential.
Deidre Tantillo – South High School
School Counselor – Grades 7 – 12
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology—Fordham University
Master of Science Degree in School Counseling—Long Island University
With a restorative mindset, I am committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and respected in a supportive environment at South. To enrich their school experience, I hope students get involved in all of the wonderful after school activities South has to offer.
Matthew Rothenberg—South High School
School Counselor – Grades 7 – 9 and Life Skills
Bachelor’s Degree – University at Buffalo
Master’s Degree in School Counseling – Long Island University
As a school counselor, I want to provide our students with a place they feel valued and supported, in order for them to achieve their goals, grow and find success. I am delighted to be working at South High School and look forward to establishing strong bonds with our students and their families.