Amy Abate
Waldwick,NJ
Summary
Experienced and dedicated school counselor and former elementary school teacher with over twenty years of experience. A personable and caring professional with a strong ability to be flexible and work collaboratively with colleagues to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Effectively adapts, changes, and learns based on the needs of students.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor, Kindergarten - Sixth Grade
Saddle Brook School District
Saddle Brook, NJ
01.2015 - Current
- Collaborates with administrators, teachers, and parents to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Develops and implements classroom lessons on various topics centered around social/emotional learning and the specific needs of children.
- Develops and facilitates group counseling around academic, social, and emotional needs.
- Develops individualized counseling plans addressing students' academic, social, and emotional needs.
- School Safety/Climate Committee Leader, collaborates with committee members to create and maintain a safe and positive school climate, reviews HIB reports, and investigates patterns.
- Works closely with the building administrator to create a positive school environment.
- Develops and coordinates school wide activities for The Week of Respect, School Violence Awareness Week, National School Counselor's Week, Red Ribbon Week, and P.S. I Love You Day.
- 504 Building Coordinator, writes 504 plans, schedules meetings, and communicates with parents.
- New Jersey Tiered System of Support Data Team Member,(NJTSS) collaborates with team members to identify students with academic concerns using a variety of data.
- Intervention and Referral Services Building Coordinator (I&RS), works with committee to develop action plans, writes plans and works with teachers and parents to implement interventions, makes child study team referrals, and completes necessary documentation.
- Anti-Bullying Specialist, investigates Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) claims, completes and files all related reports.
- Teaches Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) to sophomores at Saddle Brook High School.
- Developed and facilitated Parent Programs such as Bullying vs. Conflict, Social Media, and The Role of the School Counselor.
- Facilitates conflict resolution sessions, enhancing student relationships and school climate.
- Mentored school counseling interns for a full year of internship, fostering professional development and best practice sharing.
- Provides crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- As needed, completes risk assessments and threat assessments with school psychologist.
- Maintains positive relationships with students, parents, faculty, and administration.
- Makes referrals to community resources and outside providers as needed.
- Maintains a high level of professional development through trainings and workshops.
- Helps students develop organizational, time management, and study skills.
- Facilitates smooth transitions for new students by implementing the District's Hellos Program.
- Improves student attendance rates by identifying and addressing underlying issues through targeted counseling interventions.
- Maintains comprehensive student records, ensuring confidentiality and accurate tracking of student progress and interventions.
Elementary School Teacher, 4th Grade
Saddle Brook School District
Saddle Brook, NJ
01.1998 - 01.2015
- Developed lesson plans for all subject areas.
- Incorporated modifications and strategies developed in the Intervention and Referral Service and Child Study team meetings.
- Differentiated instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Incorporated a variety of positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies in the facilitation of classroom instruction.
- Utilized character education lessons and assisted students in conflict resolution using the Win/Win guidelines.
- Maintained constant open communication with parents of students through e-mail, phone, and letters.
- Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) in the classroom through the Engineering is Elementary (EIE) unit, Exploring Model Membranes.
- Implemented Writer’s Workshop during language arts instruction.
Education
Certificate -
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05-2020
Certificate -
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05.2018
Master of Arts Degree - Student Personnel Services
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05.2005
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Elementary Education, N-8, Psychology
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ12.1996
Skills
- Academic, social, and emotional support
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Whole class lessons
- Collaborating with administrators, colleagues, and parents
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Listening actively
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Intervention and Referral Services
AWARDS
Teacher of the Year, Saddle Brook Public School, Franklin School 2017 & 2006
WORKSHOPS, COURSES & TRAINING
- Nurtured Heart Approach
- SEL and CASEL
- Traumatic Loss Coalition
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
- Teen Mental Health First Aid
- Intervention and Referral Service (I&RS)
- 504 Training
- Anxiety and Stress
- ADHD/ADD
- School Avoidance
- Selective Mutism (Caring Cove)
- Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)
- Suicide Prevention Awareness
- CPR Certified
- A complete list of workshops is available upon request
Timeline
School Counselor, Kindergarten - Sixth Grade
Saddle Brook School District
01.2015 - Current
Elementary School Teacher, 4th Grade
Saddle Brook School District
01.1998 - 01.2015
Master of Arts Degree - Student Personnel Services
Montclair State University
Certificate -
Montclair State University
Certificate -
Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Elementary Education, N-8, Psychology
Rowan University