Destanie Smith
Richmond,VA
Summary
Determined School Counselor with success in helping students achieve educational goals and personal well-being. Talented in meeting the objectives of the counseling program by providing preventive education, advocacy, mediation and counseling to students. Sensitive to socioeconomic and cultural difference of students. Innovative professional with expertise in promoting academic, career and social development programs. Possesses excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational skills. Trusted advisor goes extra mile to help individuals succeed. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Salem Church Middle School
01.2024 - Current
- Facilitated classroom discussions to emphasize bullying prevention and college readiness.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests, and educational goals.
- Gathered necessary paperwork and applications for students to initiate enrollment process.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
- Analyzed student academic records to assess educational and career goals.
- Assisted students in exploring and selecting career paths.
- Provided resources to support students in achieving career goals.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Advised students on educational, career and social opportunities.
- Developed and implemented individualized academic plans for students.
- Developed and implemented student guidance plans to foster academic success.
- Planned and promoted career planning presentations, work experience programs and career workshops.
- Taught classes and presented self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
School Counselor
Marguerite Christian Elementary School
10.2023 - 01.2024
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting a comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Reduced disciplinary incidents through proactive conflict resolution strategies that encouraged open communication between all parties involved.
- Contributed to development of effective school policies that addressed issues such as attendance, discipline, and substance abuse prevention.
- Enhanced faculty collaboration through regular consultation on classroom management strategies, behavioral interventions, or other support measures needed for student success.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Advocated for students to access available resources.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
School Counselor
Grange Hall Elementary School
08.2023 - 10.2023
- Assists school counselors in the development and maintenance of an effective school counseling program consistent with the school’s mission and goals as mandated by the VDOE, school board policy, and the office of student support services
- Provides services to students in academic, personal/social and career development
- Counsels' students individually and in small groups
- Conducts classroom guidance activities
- Exposes students to career exploration and interest inventories
- Review's school data for evidence the school counseling program is meeting the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students
- Prepares reports, records, lists and all other required information and data
- Encourages teacher/parent communication and community involvement
- Assists students in conflict resolution
- Manages crises
- Assists in the identification of students with special needs
- Interprets student records, and initiates student programs
- Refers students to intervention/remediation programs, academic and alternative programs, to ensure academic success and personal well-being
- Refers students to appropriate school personnel and community agencies
- Participates in IEP and 504 meetings
- Participates in parent/teacher conferences
- Serves as a resource for school personnel and parents
- Maintains a variety of files/records and departmental library of supplementary and reference materials
- Follows required procedures and practices
- Submits monthly time and task reports electronically
- Keeps the guidance department chair apprised of any problems encountered
- Attends division-wide counselor meetings
- Participates in professional development activities
- Performs related work as required
Substituted Teacher
Chesterfield County Public Schools
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Responsible for instructing students in a school setting serving grades PreK-12, special education, and resource classes to include Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, Foreign Language and/or Technology
- Assumes responsibility for all aspects of classroom instruction, assessments and behavior management on a short term or long-term basis
- Implements teacher created lesson plans or works collaboratively with a team of educators to generate lesson plans, providing differentiated strategies to instruct students at all levels in all content areas
- Follows lesson plans submitted by the regular classroom teacher
- Ensures classroom management
- Serves appropriate duty assignments
- Leaves appropriate documentation for the teacher
- Performs other duties as assigned by the school
Sales Associate
Bath & Body Works
12.2018 - 01.2022
- Maintained knowledge of current promotions, exchange guidelines, payment policies and security practices
- Arranged new merchandise with signage and appealing displays to encourage customer sales and move overstock items
- Retained product, service, and company policy knowledge to serve as resource for both coworkers and customers
- Coached team members on security risks and loss prevention to aid in mitigating store theft
- Mentored team members in mastering sales techniques to consistently exceed objectives
- Collaborated with fellow sales team members to achieve group targets, frequently exceeding quotas by 10% or more
- Assisted customers by finding needed items and checking inventory for items at other locations
- Sold various products by explaining unique features and educating customers on proper application
Waitress
IHOP
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Greeted customers, answered questions, and recommended specials and desserts to increase profits
- Educated guests on daily specials and appetizers, entrees, desserts, and other menu items
- Served plated dinners, buffet-style dinners and passed hors d'oeuvres for parties
- Updated repeat customers on menu changes and new food and beverage offerings to maintain quality service relationships
- Completed closing duties by emptying trash, safeguarding alcohol, and polishing silverware
- Minimized customer wait times by efficiently taking and filling large volumes of orders each day
- Applied safe food handling and optimal cleaning strategies to protect customers from foodborne illness and maintain proper sanitation
Cashier
Food Lion
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Assisted with purchases, locating items, and signing up for rewards programs
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions, and offered product advice
- Operated cash register collected payments and provided accurate change
- Increased sales % by suggesting specific purchases to customers
- Trained new employees in cashiering procedures, offering assistance in resolving customer issues
- Resolved issues with cash registers, card scanners and printers
Education
Master of Science - MS-Counselor Education School Counseling
Longwood University
Farmville, VA05.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
Longwood University
Farmville, VA05.2020
Skills
- Career Advising
- Conflict Resolution
- Cultural Competency
- Suicide Prevention
- Policy and Procedure Improvements
- Diverse Groups Presentations
- Individual and Family Support
- Mediation and Crisis Intervention
- Student Records Management
- Crisis Intervention Strategies
- Student Advocacy
- Adolescent Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Student Counseling
- Academic Support
- Parent-Teacher Collaboration
- Group Counseling
- Career Planning
- Career Guidance
- Solutions-Focused
- Compassionate
- Academic Advising
- Goal Setting
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Time Management
- Multicultural Competence
- Problem Solving
- Professional Development
- Active Listening
- Empathy Development
- Organizational Skills
- Data Analysis
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Effective Communication
- Student Support
- Emotional Support
- Administration Collaboration
- Student Performance Evaluations
- Career Event Planning
- Critical Thinking
Timeline
School Counselor
Salem Church Middle School
01.2024 - Current
School Counselor
Marguerite Christian Elementary School
10.2023 - 01.2024
School Counselor
Grange Hall Elementary School
08.2023 - 10.2023
Substituted Teacher
Chesterfield County Public Schools
08.2022 - 04.2023
Sales Associate
Bath & Body Works
12.2018 - 01.2022
Waitress
IHOP
05.2017 - 08.2018
Cashier
Food Lion
05.2016 - 08.2018
Master of Science - MS-Counselor Education School Counseling
Longwood University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
Longwood University
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