ECISD Alumni Spotlight: Yovann Salinas Makes Her Mark In Counseling
Edinburg Texas, August 16, 2023 – An Edinburg North High School 2000 graduate, Yovann Salinas has embraced a career in counseling to help students, teachers and parents at a regional level.
Currently residing in Edinburg, Texas, Yovann continued her education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), formerly known as UTPA.
Yovann holds the Director of Guidance, Counseling, and Mental Health position at the Region One Education Service Center. In this role, she leads a department that brings essential resources to educators, students, families, counselors, and professionals dedicated to supporting students within the region. The department focuses on crucial topics such as suicide prevention, building resilience, self-awareness, and trauma-informed practices.
3Notably, Yovann’s department was recently awarded the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant by the U.S. Department of Education, a testament to their commitment to increasing access to mental health care for students. Through this grant, they aim to enhance the presence of mental health professionals in schools.
Reflecting on her time at ECISD, Yovann fondly remembers the spirited football games she enjoyed with her friends. The strong sense of school spirit cultivated an atmosphere of camaraderie and fond memories.
When asked about her favorite educator, Yovann recalls Dr. Eddie Moreno, the financial aid officer at the time. Dr. Moreno’s guidance and support left a lasting impact in her senior year. Yovann vividly remembers when Dr. Moreno pulled her into his office and helped her through the financial aid application process. Yovann is grateful for Dr. Moreno’s patience and kindness, which played a crucial role in shaping her academic journey.
For current ECISD students, Yovann shares valuable advice: set goals, remain focused, and keep moving forward. She emphasizes that the process won’t always be easy, but it is essential to learn from mistakes and avoid dwelling on them. Yovann encourages students to use their mistakes as opportunities for growth and development.
Yovann’s experience at ECISD positively impacted her life, thanks to the support he received from caring adults. The adults who took the time to check in and offer their support inspired Yovann to become that guiding figure for someone else. Their influence fueled her passion for making a difference in students’ lives, leading her to her current role in education.
Yovann Salinas is an inspiring example of the power of support, guidance, and dedication in education. Her work in mental health, counseling, and guidance demonstrates her commitment to enhancing students’ well-being and educational experience in her region.
Edinburg CISD is looking for alums that have been out of high school for over five years. Please complete the brief survey below – about yourself.
ECISD will highlight an alum every other Friday. While we can’t use every submission, we appreciate you sharing your current whereabouts, successes, and memories of your days at Edinburg CISD. https://forms.gle/u8JGR4DJgH9QiAgr6