Cristina Gacad
Long Beach,United States
Summary
Dedicated school counselor with experience working with a diverse population of individuals in various settings. Determined to create a positive school culture that encourages an environment conducive to student emotional and academic success. Motivated in supporting the whole child through individual and group counseling, restorative practices, and social emotional education.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Middle School Counselor
Rolling Hills Preparatory And Renaissance Schools
San Pedro , CA
07.2021 - Current
- Provided individual and group counseling for 60+ students across three different schools to assist with any needs or issues
Taught and supported neurodiverse students with varying social emotional, academic, and physical abilities.
Developed counseling curriculum and delivered high quality SEL lessons in line with schools mission with aim of addressing varied learning needs of individual student.
Implemented PEERS social skills curriculum within physical education classes to grades 5-8.
Collaborated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to create and facilitate lessons to students regarding issues such as identity, microaggressions, and inclusion.
Planned, implemented, and co-facilitated DEI symposium addressing identity and neurodiversity.
Facilitated restorative conversations to repair student relationships and promote an understanding community.
Collaborated with advisors and teachers from three different programs across two schools to develop curricula that is specific to their students needs.
Tracked student behavior and progress to assess support interventions within classrooms and throughout the community.
Co created and implemented student wellness assessment and school climate assessment.
Assisted in supervising and advising school counseling interns working across grade 3-12.
Liaised with outside professionals and parents regarding students therapeutic needs and behavioral and social emotional supports.
Planned and implemented community wide events and wellness initiatives to promote positive school culture and social opportunities such as Wellness Wednesdays, community week, and kindness challenges.
Participated in grade level and division meetings to discuss student achievements, student concerns, and the middle school environment as a whole.
Advised Middle School Student Council. - Advised Middle School Student Council.
Lower School Counselor
REACH
San Pedro , CA
- Developed and implemented SEL lessons specifically for 20+ special students to enhance and support their social development.
- Collaborated with the director of REACH, behavioral aids, and faculty to determine social emotional supports and behavioral interventions needed for individual students.
- Adapted lessons and activities for students with varying behavioral, emotional, and physical needs.
- Provided feedback to school counseling intern.
- Planned and coordinated community building events to promote a positive school climate and develop REACH students social skills.
Learning Specialist
Rolling Hills Preparatory Schools
San Pedro, CA
08.2020 - 06.2021
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Created, collected and recorded data on students progress to determine next steps for student success.
- Supported interaction between students during group work activities using guided conversation.
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Offered feedback to other providers to effectively address students' needs.
- Provided virtual one-on-one academic and emotional support for 6+ students.
- Assisted lead teacher during virtual classes by providing technical and student support.
Registered Behavioral Technician
A Is For Apple
San Jose, CA
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Implemented treatment plans for children on the autism spectrum within clients home, school, and within the community.
- Identified behaviors that necessitated intervention and obtained assistance from qualified personnel to complete intervention.
- Managed a case load of 4-5 clients.
- Engaged with colleagues in treatment team meetings to promote positive patient treatment outcomes.
- Tracked client progress by analyzing session data.
- Promoted positive interactions of children with ADHD, Autism and oppositional defiance behavior by using visual supports, simplifying communication and utilizing stress scales to turn emotions into concrete concepts.
Residential Counselor
Unity Care Group Inc.
San Jose, CA
03.2017 - 08.2017
- Addressed behavioral and emotional needs of residents ages 12-17 through activities and interventions, increasing resident socialization, interpersonal and social skills.
- Delivered frequent summaries on resident progression and regression in treatment to provide recommendations towards treatment plan for success.
- Mediated conflicts between residents and peers to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Maintained caseload of about 6 adolescents within group home at all times.
- Observed and monitored resident behavior and responses to treatment.
Education
Master of Education - School Counseling
12.2018 - 09.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
09.2012 - 06.2016
Skills
Counseling and therapy
Individual and family support
Team collaboration and leadership
Flexible and Adaptable
Youth and adolescent development
Timeline
Middle School Counselor - Rolling Hills Preparatory And Renaissance Schools
07.2021 - Current
Learning Specialist - Rolling Hills Preparatory Schools
08.2020 - 06.2021
University of Southern California - Master of Education, School Counseling
12.2018 - 09.2020
Registered Behavioral Technician - A Is For Apple
08.2017 - 05.2018
Residential Counselor - Unity Care Group Inc.
03.2017 - 08.2017
University of California, Santa Cruz - Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
09.2012 - 06.2016
Lower School Counselor - REACH