Derek Portillo
South Lyon
Summary
Compassionate Master of Social Work graduate with hands-on experience supporting elementary students and families in educational and community settings. Skilled in social-emotional learning and behavior intervention, collaborating with educators to meet diverse student needs. Committed to creating safe, supportive environments that enable individuals to thrive.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Intern
Evergreen Elementary School with Allendale Public Schools
08.2025 - 04.2026
- Completes 600 hours of my internship with Evergreen Elementary
- Provided individual and small-group social-emotional support to elementary students focusing on behavior, communication, and coping skills
- Implemented behavior intervention strategies and classroom support plans to enhance student engagement and learning
- Supported students with social skills development, emotional regulation, and peer interaction
- Collaborated with teachers and special education staff to develop tailored support plans, fostering student success across diverse needs
- Assisted in developing and monitoring IEP or MTSS goals related to social-emotional learning
- Used trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when working with students
- Documented student progress and maintained confidential case notes
- Facilitated small groups focused on social skills, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and peer relationships
- Facilitated SEL activities using evidence-based interventions to promote social-emotional growth and resilience among students
- Tracked student progress using measurable behavioral and emotional goals
Line Cook
Panera Bread
Grandville
09.2022 - 04.2026
- Transported pans and trays of food between workstations, stoves, and refrigerators to ensure timely meal preparation.
- Retaining consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Maintain a hygienic kitchen with regular mopping, disinfecting the workspace, and washing utensils and glassware.
- Restocked food items in designated areas during shifts.
- Led training for team of 20+ employees on food preparation, sanitation practices, and teamwork.
- Enhanced service by communicating effectively with customers and community members.
Intern
Family Promise in West Michigan
08.2024 - 04.2025
- Completed 418 hours of internship with Family Promise
- Shadowed supervisors and colleagues to support families during emergency crisis interventions
- Participated in intake and follow-up meetings with families to monitor progress in housing, career opportunities, and goal-setting
- Performed room checks in each of families' rooms to prevent them from bringing in weapons, drugs, tobacco, or food
- Traveled to stores to gather cleaning supplies, bedding, and food items for families
- Collected donations from partnered churches to enhance storage closet for future family intakes
Housekeeper
Hampton Inn by Hilton
Brighton
07.2018 - 08.2022
- Employed deep cleaning techniques for areas in need of additional sanitation.
- Used cleaning chemicals following proper guidelines.
- Adhered to daily cleaning schedules, adjusting them to meet changing demands.
- Prepared rooms for meetings, ensuring decorations enhanced the environment.
- Set up furniture for social or business functions.
- Set up media equipment for presentations, facilitating smooth operations.
Retail Sales Associate
Gamestop
Grandville
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through proactive and attentive service.
- Assisted customers by answering questions and locating merchandise, enhancing shopping experience.
- Handled price checks and merchandise transfers, ensuring store organization and efficiency.
Education
Master's - Social Work
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan04-2026
Bachelor's - Social Work
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan04-2025
Some College (No Degree) -
Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MichiganSkills
- Food safety practices
- Quality assurance
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Team coordination
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Active listener
Volunteer Experience
- The Other Way Ministries, 09/01/23, 12/31/23, Stocked items., Assisted families in finding items in the food pantry., Assessed with volunteers in checking food items and making sure they are safe for consumption., Traveled to ALDI with staff to collect supplies and food items for the pantry on Monday mornings.
- Campus Ministry @ GVSU, 08/01/22, 04/30/25, Worked as a Youth Group Leader with Campus Ministry and hosted a small group of 8 men once a week., Worked as a Youth Group Intern with Campus Ministry and mentored other Youth Group leaders to prepare for their groups and pour into them spiritually and as a friend., Took a missionary service trip to Laurel, Mississippi, during Spring Break 2023, worked in food pantries, and set up a children's summer camp., Led a missionary service trip to Nashville, Tennessee, during Spring Break 2024 and partnered with SLAM (Students Living a Mission organization). Helped with gardening for families' homes, helped sort medical supplies for transfer, as well as cleaned apartments for the elderly community., Led a missionary service trip to Windsor, North Carolina, during Spring Break 2025, partnered with World Renew and Carolina Rebuilding Ministries. Assisted in applying insulation and drywall on numerous homes, helped paint the student site, and prepared for incoming volunteer students., Interviewed upcoming students for Campus Ministry Young Adults Group Leadership 2025-2026 school year.
Timeline
Intern
Evergreen Elementary School with Allendale Public Schools
08.2025 - 04.2026
Intern
Family Promise in West Michigan
08.2024 - 04.2025
Line Cook
Panera Bread
09.2022 - 04.2026
Housekeeper
Hampton Inn by Hilton
07.2018 - 08.2022
Retail Sales Associate
Gamestop
Master's - Social Work
Grand Valley State University
Bachelor's - Social Work
Grand Valley State University
Some College (No Degree) -
Schoolcraft College