Meet the Team

As a child of migrant farmworkers and one of 12 children, Mr. Gonzalez grew up traveling throughout the USA and harvesting fruits and vegetables throughout his upbringing.  It was his first experience as a young 12-year-old that he got to meet a social worker who inspired his passion for helping others.  His conversations with that social worker sparked a passion that would lead to his social work and counseling education and career.  He obtained his Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Education/Counseling & Guidance, at UT Pan American (UTRGV). He has provided social work and counseling interventions and support in the areas of community non-profit,working with individuals and families in the areas of child abuse and neglect,foster care, juvenile delinquency, family violence/batterer intervention programs, school mental health and clinical private practice.  He is currently employed at Hidalgo Independent School District in deep south Texas providing mental health support as the district’s Director of Counseling and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor(LPC-S).  He leads and coordinates the mental health program and has been instrumental in ensuring the district’s social and emotional learning program is available to the students, staff, andcommunity.  Mr. Gonzalez always wanted to bring mental health to the forefront of school and community wellness; Amando always envisioned safe spaces (SAFE rooms) at every campus, where students can go and be themselves, learn SEL, share on their mental health journey, and simply sit quietly if they choose.  He has also brought community platicas (conversations), inviting parents to be more engaged and involved in their child’s educational and mental wellbeing journey.  He also ensures ongoing collaborations with local community agencies and other programs are part of ensuring to bring an array of prevention and intervention supports to the district’s students, parents, and staff.  Most recently, he was awarded the LEAD Rio Grande Valley 2021-2022 Counselor of the Year.

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