CAEAA Member Spotlight: Maria Tellez

For Maria Tellez, Administrator of Counseling Services at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, adult education has been her life’s work for 25 years. She oversees ABE, ASE, and IET instructional programs, manages student support services including testing and registration, and collaborates closely with counselors, teachers, and staff to ensure every student receives the guidance they need to succeed. Maria has been especially proud of leading efforts to bridge CTE and WIOA II programs through a structured intake and referral process that blends testing data with counselor input. This system not only helps assess academic readiness but also connects students to the right support at the right time.

The results have been transformative. Students now experience a clearer and more coordinated pathway from ESL and ABE into career training programs, leading to higher engagement, improved goal-setting, and more successful program completions. Expanded services like enhanced onboarding, individualized guidance, and better follow-through have strengthened persistence and opened doors to meaningful careers. For Maria, the most rewarding part of the work is giving people multiple chances to achieve their goals — and helping them see they are worthy and capable of success. She also treasures the ripple effect of adult education: when students thrive, their families and future generations benefit as well.

Maria’s advice to new administrators reflects her core values: listen deeply to students and staff, lead with empathy, and never forget that every decision has the power to change a life. And while her professional work is serious, her personal life is full of joy — from quoting Parks and Recreation or The Office to baking with her two daughters, Maria embraces laughter and family as her favorite forms of stress relief.

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