Most students who walk into the counseling office at SRHS may not realize how winding Mr. Wolfgram’s own path to education was, or how much the journey shaped the way he works with students today. “Calm, approachable, and deeply collaborative,” said Ms. Mazariegos, a counselor who works at SR.
Mr. Wolfgram is a counselor who believes that life does not have to follow a straight line to lead somewhere meaningful.
Mr. Wolfgram, full name Pete Wolfgram, was not born in the Bay, but born in Evanston, Illinois, which is outside of Chicago. He then moved to Wisconsin during elementary school, spent his middle and high school years there, growing up in a medium-sized town, and he proudly supports the Green Bay Packers. Education, however, was not one of his callings. He never considered education. After college in Wisconsin, he moved back to Chicago and worked in real estate, and eventually helped start an internet-based real estate brokerage with a family member.
“It was exciting to build something from scratch,” he said. “I learned a lot about organizing a business and problem-solving, even though I didn’t realize at the time how useful that would be later.”
After several years and a shifting economy, Mr. Wolfgram found himself rethinking his future. He moved to the Bay Area in 2008, explored different career paths, and took classes in areas ranging from business to design. It wasn’t until he met a counselor through personal connection that education entered his radar at all.
“I didn’t grow up thinking, ‘I want to be a counselor,’” he said. “I kind of took a leap. But the more I learned about it, the more it clicked.”
That leap led him to graduate school at the University of San Francisco and eventually to a decade of counseling work in San Francisco Unified School District. Later, with encouragement from colleagues, particularly a fellow counselor Ms. Zampino, who he met in the city, made his way to San Rafael High School, where he now works and lives nearby in Marin.
Unlike many professionals who feel locked into a single career path, Mr. Wolfgram says he has never regretted his decision to become a counselor.
“There are hard days, like any job,” he explained. “But I genuinely look forward to coming to work. I feel lucky.”
What he finds most meaningful is the chance to connect with students on their terms. He sees counseling as a space where students decide how much support they want and need, whether that means quick check-ins or ongoing guidance. For Mr. Wolfgram, the job is not about having all the answers, it’s about listening, communicating, and helping students find the right resources.
But reports from students mention that Mr. Wolfgram takes a little time to respond or sometimes doesn’t communicate enough. But that’s not surprising knowing that he’s a counselor to many students at SR, and can’t always dedicate all his attention to everyone.
“I didn’t really connect with my counselor in high school,” he said. “But I know how life-changing it can be to have an adult who listens and shares perspective. It doesn’t have to be college, it’s about helping students navigate what comes next.”
Colleagues describe this approach as one of his strongest qualities. Mr. Nemiroff, another counselor at SRHS, calls Mr. Wolfgram “a smart, logical problem-solver” who is “honest, kind, and reliable.” Teachers echo that sentiment, highlighting his collaborative style and emphasis on communication.
“Whenever he has an issue to solve, he reaches out instead of making assumptions,” Ms. Paiz, a teacher at SRHS, shared. “It creates a work environment where people feel respected and safe.”
That mindset has been especially evident in Mr. Wolfgram’s leadership roles. During his first year at SRHS, he stepped up as head counselor for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, a major responsibility that involved expanding programs such as Education and Constructing alongside existing Engineering and Media pathways.
The role reflects his belief that education should offer many options, not just one definition of success. As someone who struggles to commit to a single path, Mr. Wolfram understands the pressure students feel to “have it all figured out.”
“I was always interested in a lot of things,” he said. “That’s not a weakness. As a counselor, it actually helps, I can connect with students who are still exploring.”
When Mr. Nemiroff was asked for a fun fact about Mr. Wolfgram, he mentioned how he once told him that his dog “won 1st place in the naughtiest dog competition.” However, Mr. Nemiroff has never seen or known anyone who has seen this supposed dog, which has led him to wonder if Wolfgram is simply making up the story.
Of course, the job comes with challenges. Supporting students and families during times of crisis can be emotionally difficult, and the administrative side of counseling is not always exciting. Still, Mr. Wolfgram credits strong teamwork at SRHS for helping counselors support one another through the hardest moments.
Outside of school, Mr. Wolfgram balances work and family life with hobbies that keep him grounded. He is an avid mountain biker and a longtime drummer who still plays in bands. The name of his band is El Camino Real, out of San Francisco and performs gigs throughout the year. Music, he says, is his main creative outlet, a passion he has carried with him since childhood.
Though he once considered pursuing music professionally, he is content with where life has taken him.
“I love my job, and I love having music as something I do because I want to,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to students interested in counseling or education, Mr. Wolfgram emphasizes openness.
“Try new things. Talk to people. Find mentors,” he said. “You don’t have to decide everything right away.”
That philosophy seems to define his career. By staying open to change, learning from others and showing up authentically, Mr. Wolfgram has built a role that fits both who he is and what students need. In professions where impact is measured not by numbers but by lives touch, he considers himself fortunate.
“If I can help students find something that gives them independence and fulfillment,” he said, “then I’m doing my job.”
For many students at San Rafael High school, that quiet, steady presence makes all the difference.
