Chauntel Smith
Hancock,MN
Summary
Demonstrated ability as Paraprofessional to foster positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Committed to providing culturally responsive support, meeting diverse needs of students. Patient demeanor creates environment where students feel comfortable asking questions while learning new concepts.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Paraprofessional
Benson Public Schools
09.2024 - Current
- Paraprofessional for 6-12 grade students. I mostly work with 6-10th, though. I assist students with homework, tests, and sensory breaks.
- Problem solving with scheduling when staff are absent and there are no substitutes available.
- Reading proficiency with 6th graders.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement individualized education plans for diverse learners.
Human Service Technician
State of Minnesota
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Assisted clients in their daily cares and needs, such as; bathing, dressing, feeding, medications, appointments and outings.
- Aided my clients in having the best lives they can have while in their home.
- Practiced proper documentation, have skills in de-escalating situations if they do occur, and I had to use appropriate and necessary communication skills with my clients as well as my team.
- Facilitated client access to social services and community resources.
- Provided support in case management for diverse populations.
- Advocated for clients' rights, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
- Adhered to strict client confidentiality laws and site-specific procedures to uphold privacy and provide best experience possible.
- Established positive relationships with aid recipients and assessed goals, working hard to address individual needs and tailor services to suit them.
- Acted as mandatory reporter of abuse.
Substance Use Dependency Technician
New Visions Residential
05.2019 - 03.2020
- Provided direct care services to our clients, including assisting in maintaining a clean, safe living environment while supervising, training and assisting clients in every aspect of their life.
- Oversaw resident domestic responsibilities, educating and assisting them as needed to promote self-worth.
- Daily programming for each resident, including proper documentation of daily activities and identified goals.
- An appropriate role model for residents and staff, provide a positive and supportive atmosphere toward residents and other staff as well.
- Collaborated with team to implement safety protocols, enhancing workplace safety standards.
- Developed and maintained detailed documentation of service records for compliance purposes.
- Maintained a safe work environment by strictly adhering to established safety protocols and guidelines.
- Demonstrated adaptability when faced with new challenges or technologies, enabling quick mastery of necessary skills.
Mental Health Practitioner
Woodland Centers
08.2018 - 05.2019
- I was a Mental Health Practitioner in Crisis Stabilization.
- I worked with adults and youth who were in a mental health crisis such as; feeling suicidal, depressed, anxious, have attempted suicide or have other mental health diagnoses.
- Provided skills in a group and individual setting.
- The skills I presented, provided those individuals and their families the ability to better cope with their mental health struggles while increasing their mental health symptoms, to improve their daily functioning.
- Coordinated with county workers, physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists.
- Put in referrals for clients to start services once they were stabilized.
Primary Youth Counselor
Heartland Girls Ranch
05.2017 - 08.2018
- My role as a Primary youth Counselor was to be a main support and coach for young girls who were in the program at the Heartland Girls Ranch.
- Provided goal work each week for the girls that were assigned to me as their Primary. (Goal work included anything they, as individuals needed to work on to help cope with their trauma, improve mental health and self-worth as well as become respectful, contributing members to society).
- Met with their case managers, social workers, probation officers and families to discuss their progress, what was currently happening in their lives and what was coming up in the future.
- Started out as a Youth Counselor and got promoted to a Primary Youth Counselor in less than a year of being at the ranch.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create tailored treatment plans for each resident's unique needs.
- Conducted regular assessments to monitor progress, adapting strategies to ensure optimal support for youth development.
- Trained and supervised junior counselors, enhancing team effectiveness and service delivery quality.
- Facilitated conflict resolution sessions, empowering youth to develop healthy communication and problem-solving skills.
- Monitored youth behavior and offered guidance and support for positive change.
- Assisted youth in developing problem-solving and communication skills to support stress management.
- Coached youth in conflict resolution skills, reducing incidents of aggression and improving peer relationships.
- Created and implemented individualized plans for individual youth.
- Documented detailed case notes efficiently, maintaining confidentiality while adhering to reporting protocols set forth by the organization.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support to youth.
Human Service Technician
New Beginnings, Inc
09.2016 - 05.2017
- Provided direct care for individuals who were developmentally disabled.
- Worked with individuals who were wheelchair bound, tube fed, behavioral as well as others who were able to do their own daily cares, such as use the bathroom, get dressed, feed themselves and go to work.
- I was trained in using lifts, administering medications as well as doing holds when there escalated behaviors.
- I cooked meals, did laundry, assisted in keeping their home clean and took clients on outings and to appointments when planned.
- Adhered to strict client confidentiality laws and site-specific procedures to uphold privacy and provide best experience possible.
- Established positive relationships with aid recipients and assessed goals, working hard to address individual needs and tailor services to suit them.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH2028
Skills
- Behavior management
- Effective communication
- Helping students with special needs
- Small group and individual assistance
- Special education support
- Calm and patient demeanor
- Teacher support
- CPR and first aid
- Computer skills
- Student supervision
- Instructional support
- Student health and safety
- Documentation
- Emotional support
Timeline
Paraprofessional
Benson Public Schools
09.2024 - Current
Human Service Technician
State of Minnesota
03.2020 - 03.2021
Substance Use Dependency Technician
New Visions Residential
05.2019 - 03.2020
Mental Health Practitioner
Woodland Centers
08.2018 - 05.2019
Primary Youth Counselor
Heartland Girls Ranch
05.2017 - 08.2018
Human Service Technician
New Beginnings, Inc
09.2016 - 05.2017
Bachelor Of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University