Meet Our Counselors
Meet the amazing Bayside Academy wellness team! Students can reach out to their counselors for questions, guidance, and support.
School psychologists may provide support and consultation to teachers and parents of students experiencing learning and/or behavior problems. Students with an Individual Education Program who exhibit the need for a higher level of care may be recommended to receive Educationally-Related Mental Health Services. Please contact the SMFC Student Services Department for additional information or support at (650) 312-7341.
| Steven Chang (Mr. Chang) | Mr. Chang has worked at Bayside Academy for 7 years. He was born in South Korea and is Korean-American. Before working at Bayside Academy, Mr. Chang worked at a charter middle school in Richmond, California. He attended college at University of California Santa Barbara and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. Mr. Chang received his Masters degree in school counseling at San Jose State University. He enjoys outdoor activities (ex: hiking, biking, and playing tennis), traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoys watching baseball, basketball, and football games. He is proficient in speaking Korean. | (650) - 312-7893 (phone) (650) - 242 - 5179 (text) | schang@smfcsd.net |
| Margaret "Maggie" MacLennan (she/her/hers) (Ms. Maggie, Ms. M, Ms. MacLennan) | This year is Maggie’s second year at Bayside Academy and she is so happy to be working with her now 7th graders! Originally from Minneapolis, MN, she is enjoying the warmer weather of northern California. Maggie graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2021 with a master’s degree in Adolescent Counseling and now she is a credentialed school counselor in California. She speaks French and Spanish, and loves working with middle schoolers to help navigate the ups and downs of adolescence. Ms. Maggie loves to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time outdoors. Students and families can send her a SchoolLoop message, text her GoogleVoice, send her an email, complete a counselor request form, or tell the front office directly if they would like to check in with her. | (385)-244-0876 (Text) (650)-312-7265 (Phone) |
mmaclennan@smfcsd.net |
| Nicole Ellis (8th grade) Ms. Ellis (pronouns: she, her, hers) | Ms. Ellis is a Bay Area native, born and raised in San Jose, CA. She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Women’s Studies and received her Master’s in Education and School Counseling Credential from San Jose State University. Ms. Ellis was previously a high school counselor at Piedmont Hills High School for two years and is excited to support middle school students with their academic and social-emotional growth in her first year at Bayside. In her spare time, Ms. Ellis enjoys spending time in nature, traveling, and doing yoga. | (650) 312-7542 | nellis@smfc.k12.ca.us |
| Moriah MacDonell (Mental Health Clinician) (she/her) | This is Moriah’s 6th year at Bayside Academy, supporting K-5 students. She has worked at three school sites throughout her time in the district. Moriah is a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered art therapist. She lived in West Virginia and North Carolina prior to her move to the bay area. Moriah enjoys reading, making art and playing volleyball. This year she coached the 7B volleyball team, which made it to the playoffs! |
(650) 312-7777 |
mmacdonell@smfcsd.net |
| Lauren Alexander (Part-time Student Support Counselor) Ms. Alexander (she/her/hers) | Lauren is so excited to be back at Bayside Academy as a part time counselor on the middle school side. As Student Support Counselor, Lauren will be working extensively with students around attendance, our homeless and foster youth, and providing behavioral and emotional coaching for students. She worked at Bayside from 2015-2021 before moving to Texas and working as an elementary school counselor last school year. Lauren graduated from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education with a specialty in school social work and is a credentialed school counselor and school social worker. Outside of school, Lauren likes hiking, reading, and hanging out with her niece and nephews. Ella esta aprendiendo español! | Phone and Text: 650-539-4241 Direct Office Number: 650-312-7308 | LAAlexander@smfcsd.net |
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Natalia Norori (YSB Staff) (She/her) Se habla Español. School Safety Advocate Schedule: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri |
Natalia works for the Youth Service Bureaus of the YMCA and, through their School Safety Advocate program, began working at Bayside Academy in 2017. As the SSA, she works primarily with the middle schoolers by providing support to students experiencing various emotional and mental health needs. Natalia is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. She was born and raised in San Francisco. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, dancing, and watching sports games. |
Google Voice: (650) 246-9862 YSB Work Line: (415) 936-5607 |