Our Valley Santa Clarita November/December 2016 | Page 7

her way through USC with only
a reasonable amount of student
loans. She graduated in 2003 with a
bachelor’s degree in social work. She
went to work at the Child and Family
Guidance Center in Van Nuys where
she spent three days a week doing
social work and two days a week doing
clinical work with students.
In 2007, Karla continued her education
at UC Santa Barbara studying for a
doctoral degree in administrative
leadership. It took four long, hard years
of studying, and in 2011 she earned
a doctoral degree in education with
a major in administrative leadership.
While studying for her doctorate, she
fell in love, got married and gave birth
to the love of her life, a beautiful baby
girl, Kamela.
“She’s incredible! She’s smart, mature,
has great self esteem and a mind of her
own even at only six years old,” Karla
beamed.
Though Karla and her husband have
separated, he is very involved in the
raising of Kamela. “I am grateful that
he is an important part of her everyday

life,” said Karla.
Her work as an academic counselor,
one of six at Hart High, includes helping
students develop an academic plan
for themselves. Once there is a plan,
Karla helps to keep the students on
track. She helps students by facilitating
conversations with teachers, parents
and other students. Her contributions

of you I have grown as a person and
strive to help all those around me
and do. An act this great should not
be left unspoken, therefore as it is my
final year at Hart I would like to say
thank you. One day I hope to in some
way repay you either personally or aid
someone in the way you did for me.
With love,

help students through many
difficult situations. Much
of what the counselors do
is not readily known, but it
is absolutely appreciated.
Below is only one of many
letters of gratitude given to
Karla:
Dear Dr. Arriaran-Rodriguez,
… I have no idea how to
express all the gratitude
I have for you. I could say
‘thank you’ a trillion times
and it would nowhere be
enough. You have brought
me intelligence and strength
in my worst of times and
help more than a high
school counselor should. I
took up your dedication and
devotion to help. Because

“I love being able to make a difference
in a person’s life. I am humbled by
all the letters and cards of gratitude
and thanks. I plan on giving the rest
of my life to helping others, be it as
a counselor, t