Cristina Casas
Conroe,TX
Summary
Passionate School Counselor with a demonstrated track record of successfully assisting students and engaging all stakeholders through collaborative, data-driven initiatives. Firmly believes that positive outcomes stem from the resilience of students, the dedication of educators, and the relentless support of administrators.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District Special Education School Counselor
McAllen Independent School District
2021.03 - 2023.05
- Conducted multiple Counseling Assessments analyzing Behavior Evaluation Scale (BES-5:S) by Hawthorne Educational Services to identify areas of academic, social and behavioral strengths and weaknesses and recommend modifications to improve learning, social and emotional skills and behavior.
- Conducted multiple Functional Behavior Assessments analyzing yearly revolving data collection to identify hypothesis for function of behavior and eliminate behavior of concern.
- Advocated for students to access available community resources.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to identify areas of need within school population, leading to targeted interventions and support services.
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators with data collection to address social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
- Supported students transitioning between grade levels by working with teachers to develop effective transition plans aimed at minimizing potential challenges during adjustment periods.
- Collaborated with teachers and other school personnel to create individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and students to define counseling objectives and analyze progress.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, and administration.
- Enhanced faculty collaboration through regular consultation on classroom management strategies, behavioral interventions, or other support measures needed for student success.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Empowered parents/guardians involvement in their children's education by providing resources on academic, and personal/social development.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Coordinated efforts with community organizations to provide additional resources for students facing various challenges.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.
- Developed and implemented student guidance plans to foster academic success.
- Developed and implemented individualized educational plans via data collection for students in area of behavior and counseling.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or personal situations.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Created inclusive learning environment by advocating for accommodations for students with special needs or disabilities.
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement with goals, objectives and intervention strategies.
- Analyzed student academic records to assess educational goals.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Delivered services to home schooled student locations within specific timeframes.
- Delivered services to students, teachers and parents in multiple schools within specific timeframes.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance. Teams built consisted of parents, teachers, advocates, counselor, behavior specialist, behavior technician and administration.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through development of innovative solutions with data collection.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Completed ARD, Admission, Review and Dismissal documentation for Special Education. Recognized discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced environment.
Elementary School Counselor
McAllen Independent School District
2019.08 - 2021.03
- Response to Intervention (RTI) Coordinator, oversaw implementation of interventions, data entry, managed transition or exit of students based on data-driven analysis, and fostered collaboration with teachers, parents, instructional coaches, and administration .
- District Wide School Counseling Curriculum Committee Member, as committee member, our task is to develop, create, and present comprehensive counseling manual that incorporates all essential core competencies tailored for school counselors.
- Established school wide system to enhance efficiency and transparency in student academic progress.
- Established school wide comprehensive system for gathering data on socio-emotional well-being of students. This data, encompassed progress indicators and identified areas of concern like familial issues, crises, and academic performance. Data collection is presented transparently with all stakeholders.
- Established Emotional Intelligence Ambassadors Club, in which students, recommended by teachers, undergo screening through interviews conducted by counselors. This meticulous selection process aims to enrich school's positive culture and atmosphere through activities such as presentations, community projects, and peer mentoring.
- Social Committee Lead, committee's primary focus lies in improving attendance rates and nurturing positive school culture and climate.
- Collaborated with behavioral specialists, teachers, psychiatrists, school psychologists, diagnosticians and school nurses to assess student needs and strengths.
- Conducted focused and tailored guidance sessions for students with Dyslexia.
- Implemented comprehensive guidance curriculum that addressed all areas of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, social skills, empathy, motivation and self -regulation.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Created safe space for students within school community where they felt comfortable discussing their concerns or seeking guidance from counselors or staff members.
- Maintained confidential behavioral data, special education reports and services reports.
- Coordinated college and career fairs for students, exposing them to range of post-secondary opportunities.
- Administered functional behavioral assessments and developed behavior intervention plans to target maladaptive behaviors.
- Led efforts in creating student recognition program that celebrated academic achievements and positive behavior within school community.
- Conducted group and individual counseling services to elementary students to meet developmental, preventive and remedial needs of students with learning disabilities.
- Facilitated conflict resolution among peers, resulting in improved classroom dynamics and reduced behavioral issues.
- Contributed towards improved standardized testing scores by providing test-taking strategy lessons geared towards reducing test anxiety.
- Managed crisis situations effectively, providing timely intervention and referrals to outside agencies when necessary.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Promoted positive school environment by fostering strong relationships among staff, parents, and students.
- Participated in IEP meetings to advocate for needs of special education students, ensuring access to appropriate resources and support services.
- Evaluated student progress regularly, adjusting counseling strategies as needed for optimal outcomes.
- Organized and developed community and school activities to enhance student learning and engage students.
- Reduced absenteeism rates through proactive communication with families and targeted counseling for at-risk students.
- Improved parental involvement by maintaining open lines of communication between home and school environments.
- Used educational assessment research based strategies such as Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to assist teachers with educational placement of students.
- Assisted in developing school-wide policies around bullying prevention efforts that led to decrease in reported incidents.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Middle School Counselor
San Benito Consolidated Independent School District
2017.08 - 2019.05
- Section 504 Coordinator, ensured compliance with all procedures and procedural safeguards.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Developed and implemented individualized academic plans for students via Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee.
- Served as advocate for at-risk youth within middle school population by working closely with multidisciplinary teams such as Texas Tropical Behavioral Health and advocates focused on intervention efforts.
- Analyzed student academic records to assess educational goals via data collection and collaboration with teachers, administration and Dean of Instruction.
- Reduced instances of bullying by implementing school-wide anti-bullying programs for National Bullying Prevention Month while fostering a culture of respect via student led presentations.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable one to one and group counseling and guidance lessons to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Advocated for students to access available academic and community resources.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and parents for development of individualized student support and transition plans.
- Provided crisis intervention and prevention services during emergency situations, ensuring immediate support was available for affected individuals.
- Improved communication between school staff, students, and families by organizing regular meetings to discuss student progress.
- Encouraged students to explore age-appropriate and career-related opportunities.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
- Developed strong relationships with community organizations for referrals, resources, or partnerships in support of student success initiatives.
- Maintained detailed records of all counseling interactions to ensure continuity of care for each student over time.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Organized and detail-oriented with strong work ethic.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Provided professional services and support in dynamic work environment.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
Elementary Teacher
Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District
- Taught core subjects of math, science, writing, and history.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to needs of special education students.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance.
Education
Master of Education in Counseling -
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX05.2017
Skills
- School Programs Development
- Functional Behavior Analysis
- Counseling Assessments
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Special Education Support, Individualized Education Plans
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Recruitment Participation
- Critical Thinking, Conflict Resolution, Decision-Making, Attention to Detail, Multitasking
- Google Classroom, Excel , DMAC Solutions, Microsoft Word, Success Ed.
- Organization and Time Management
- Staff Relations
Certification
- Certified School Counselor K-12th Grade.
- Certified Bilingual Educator K-6th Grade.
Hobbies
Photography, Fostering of Pets and Voracious Reader
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
District Special Education School Counselor
McAllen Independent School District
2021.03 - 2023.05
Elementary School Counselor
McAllen Independent School District
2019.08 - 2021.03
Middle School Counselor
San Benito Consolidated Independent School District
2017.08 - 2019.05
Elementary Teacher
Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District
Master of Education in Counseling -
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Certified School Counselor K-12th Grade.
- Certified Bilingual Educator K-6th Grade.
Similar Profiles
Marco SanchezMarco Sanchez
Art Educator at McAllen Independent School District / Achieve H.SArt Educator at McAllen Independent School District / Achieve H.S
Isabel EscanameIsabel Escaname
Data Processing Clerk at McAllen Independent School DistrictData Processing Clerk at McAllen Independent School District
Laura P MenchacaLaura P Menchaca
Social Worker at McAllen Independent School DistrictSocial Worker at McAllen Independent School District