WHS Counseling Team
Ms. Amanda Smart
Hello everyone, my name is Ms. Amanda Smart, and I am the Lead counselor at WHS. I will also counsel the Accelerate students. I’ve worked in education for 20 years, including numerous schools in Waco ISD, beginning at Carver Middle, University High, and then the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy. I enjoy spending time with friends and family. In my spare time, I like to run, hike, workout, and binge-watch a wide variety of series.
My Why: I strive to positively impact all students and meet them where they are. I want all students to experience school success and overall well-being. My goal is to help build a school culture of assisting students to reach their full potential.
Mrs. Kristy Hall
Hi there! I am Kristy Moon Hall and have the pleasure of being the cohort 2025 Counselor at Waco High School, where lion pride runs deep! I am a graduate of Waco ISD, have been in Education since 2001, and I have been a School Counselor since 2010. I am a native Wacoan and I love my community and my town! I got my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Texas A&M University – Kingsville.
My Why: I love Waco, the students, faculty, and staff here are some of the most creative, intelligent, and fun people in the world. It is my honor to help our students and parents craft and move toward their next steps in building a successful future in academia, possible professions, and, of course, maintaining and strengthening their social-emotional growth as unique individuals.
Mrs. Shameka Massington
Hello everyone, my name is Mrs. Shameka Massington and I currently serve as the 2026 Cohort Counselor at Waco High School, where lion pride runs deep! I’ve worked in education for 17 years. The last 4 years, I have served as a school counselor. My first 2 years were at Tennyson Middle School and the past 2 years at Waco High School. I was born and raised in Waco, TX. My background includes 7 years teaching and coaching at La Vega and 3 years as the Varsity Girls Assistant Basketball coach and teaching at Waco High School before going into counseling.
I enjoy traveling, watching movies, attending sporting events, and church, and spending time with my family! I am married to Stephen Massington, and our children are Brittany, Stephanie, Ste’Asia, Kamiya, and our son, Stephen Massington.
My Why: My mission is to provide a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to address students' academic and career goals and support their personal and social needs. Establish partnerships with our parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.
Email: Jennifer.young@wacoisd.org
Phone: 254-776-1150
Mrs. Jennifer Young
Mrs. Tara Whisenton
Hello everyone, my name is Mrs. Tara Whisenton and I am the school
counselor for cohort 2028. I’ve worked in education for 16 years. The last 3 years
I was a school counselor at Cesar Chavez Middle School. I was born and raised in
St. Louis, MO. I moved to Fort Hood, Texas in 2012 as a military wife. My husband
and I transitioned to Waco in 2017. My background includes working 5 years
as a high school credit recovery teacher in St. Louis, MO. I enjoy my family life
with my husband and 2 sons spending a lot of time attending their sports events.
My Why: All students deserve an equal education and a fair chance at life regardless of socioeconomic status. My goal is to help develop student's social-emotional needs and help them pursue their academic interests. If their mental health is in shape,the sky's the limit to what they can achieve in school and their personal life.
