- I enjoy sketching and drawing, which helps improve my creativity and attention to detail
- Cooking
- Reading
- Avid Reader
- I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles
- Mindfulness Practices
- I like working with my hands and fixing things
- Running
Donald Busch
Ramsey,NJ
Summary
Professional educator with significant expertise in psychology and proven track record of impactful teaching. Adept in curriculum development, student mentorship, and research methodologies. Strong focus on collaborative work and achieving measurable outcomes. Reliable, adaptable, and skilled in fostering engaging learning environment.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Psychology Professor
Bergen Community College
09.2005 - Current
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering a supportive learning environment and promoting open communication.
- Designed comprehensive assessments to measure student progress accurately and track overall class performance.
- Provided personalized feedback on assignments, leading to increased understanding of course material and improved performance.
- Implemented diverse teaching methods, addressing various learning styles and ensuring all students had an equal opportunity to succeed.
School Psychologist
Waldwick Board of Education
07.1994 - 12.2022
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Maintained accurate records and documentation in accordance with state regulations, ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices across all professional activities.
- Provided professional development opportunities for staff members on topics related to mental health awareness, classroom management, and social-emotional learning.
- Promoted inclusivity within schools by collaborating with administrators to develop policies that foster diversity and cultural competence among staff members.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Served as a liaison between families, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals involved in the care of students with special needs or disabilities.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for continuous improvement.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Utilized research-based practices to inform decision-making processes related to school-wide mental health initiatives and intervention strategies.
- Increased parent involvement by hosting workshops and informational events focused on supporting children''s academic success and emotional wellbeing.
- Developed social skills training programs to increase positive peer interactions and decrease instances of conflict among students.
- Supported the transition process for students entering new educational settings, ensuring smooth integration and appropriate accommodations.
- Improved learning environments, collaborating closely with teachers to integrate supportive strategies in classrooms.
- Fostered positive behavioral changes in students, implementing behavior modification techniques and social skills training.
- Improved student attendance rates, working with families to address and mitigate underlying issues.
- Increased awareness of mental health issues among students through creation and delivery of engaging seminars and workshops.
- Enhanced crisis intervention protocols, leading to more effective management of emergency situations.
- Increased parent engagement in student educational paths by leading informative workshops on child development and learning strategies.
- Led staff and faculty training and development to support program objectives.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
Crisis Intervention Counselor/Manager on Duty
Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program Bergen Cty
09.1993 - 06.2012
- Implemented de-escalation strategies to assist individuals experiencing emotional distress or aggressive behavior.
- Conducted thorough assessments of each client''s situation, identifying risk factors and determining appropriate interventions.
- Provided ongoing support for clients transitioning out of crisis situations, aiding in the development of coping strategies and resilience skills.
- Advocated for policy changes related to mental health services and crisis response, raising awareness among key stakeholders and promoting a more inclusive environment.
- Delivered crisis intervention training to community partners, strengthening collaborative efforts and increasing overall knowledge of mental health issues.
- Supported colleagues through peer consultation meetings aimed at enhancing professional competence within the field of crisis intervention counseling.
- Improved crisis resolution by effectively evaluating client needs and formulating personalized intervention plans.
- Coordinated with law enforcement, medical professionals, and other agencies as needed for safe handling of crisis situations.
- Enhanced client support by providing empathetic, non-judgmental counseling during high-stress situations.
- Reduced instances of self-harm among at-risk clients through proactive monitoring and early intervention techniques.
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns.
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
- Conversed with individuals in crisis which called or texted hotline for assistance.
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
- Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
- Determined clients' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
- Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
- Trained employees in essential job functions.
- Handled employee-related issues to improve performance, professional conduct, and attendance reliability.
- Improved team productivity by implementing efficient scheduling and task delegation processes.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and offering professional development opportunities.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards by conducting regular audits and providing necessary training to employees.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
Rehabilitation/Clinical Counselor/Outpatient Psychotherapist
Dumont Community Mental Health Center
09.1979 - 06.1997
- Maintained confidentiality and upheld ethical standards in all interactions with clients, families, and colleagues.
- Conducted crisis interventions for clients experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors, ensuring safety and appropriate referrals.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to encourage clients'' active participation in their treatment process.
- Reduced client wait times by streamlining the appointment scheduling process and optimizing time management.
Sales Representative
Masback/Sentry Hardware Corp.
08.1988 - 06.1994
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing exceptional service.
- Generated additional sales opportunities with upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Expanded customer base through cold calling, networking, and relationship building.
- Increased sales revenue by identifying and targeting high-potential accounts.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05-1973
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN05-1973
Skills
- Support for student development
- Thorough research understanding
- Online teaching
- Support for academic success in students
- Cultural sensitivity
- Application of psychological theories
- Consistent dependability
- Strong verbal communication
- Concise written communication
- Promotion of mental health awareness
- Effective communication skills
- Demonstrated professional conduct
- Child development expertise
Accomplishments
Connection with students is a primary goal.
Providing a safe environment to explore regular psychology subjects as well as topics of individual student interest.
Utilizing the concept of personalizing the information - what does this mean to you.
Understanding the students as young adult individuals with real lives outside of the school.
Completed mandated training to provide remote education
Affiliations
- National Association of School Psychologists
- New Jersey Association of School Psychologists
- New Jersey Retired Education Association
- American School Counselors Association
Certification
NJ Certified School Psychologist
Interests
Timeline
Adjunct Psychology Professor
Bergen Community College
09.2005 - Current
School Psychologist
Waldwick Board of Education
07.1994 - 12.2022
Crisis Intervention Counselor/Manager on Duty
Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program Bergen Cty
09.1993 - 06.2012
Sales Representative
Masback/Sentry Hardware Corp.
08.1988 - 06.1994
Rehabilitation/Clinical Counselor/Outpatient Psychotherapist
Dumont Community Mental Health Center
09.1979 - 06.1997
Master of Arts - Psychology
Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Tennessee
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