KATHRYN S. WATSON
Van Buren Township,MI
Summary
Motivated human services individual dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interest of clients. Expertise in behavioral management, family systems and child development. Respectful and empathetic professional offering 10-year background serving community by providing guidance for students and families in need.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Specialist, Conscious Discipline Coach
Ypsilanti Community Schools
09.2017 - Current
- Worked closely with staff, especially teachers, and parents for the students’ growth and development
- Conducted and interacted with students in both individual and group counseling settings.
- Delivered crisis intervention and assisted families in understanding complexities of behavioral management
- Created and implemented department support framework to address strategic goals.
- Supervised student behavior during daily academic routines to secure safety of students and staff.
- Maintained accurate and confidential records of assigned students.
- Consulted regular education classroom teachers to develop curriculum modifications and intervention strategies.
- Planned and facilitated needs-based professional learning tools, resources and educational materials to enhance teaching skills.
- Informed parents of evaluation methods used to guide instruction and document progress.
- Partnered with administrative leadership to improve discipline practices based on data findings.
- Crafted Behavioral Intervention Plans for individual students.
- Participate in supervision, case consultation, and professional development.
- Provided individualized care and treatment consistent with age and developmental needs of each student.
- Counseled and facilitated therapeutic groups in accordance with student's behavioral plan objectives and needs.
- Maintained regular contact with families by calling and visiting students' homes.
- De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment and facilitate access to necessary resources.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Advocated for student families to assure respected rights and wishes.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for students.
- Assisted families in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for students.
- Participated in professional development and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills.
- Develop, manage and oversee school events to provide resources and connectivity to families and community including Costume Swap, Science Night, and Family Dance Party
Program Director
Washtenaw Promise
01.2019 - Current
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance.
- Developed Big Friends Mentor program from ground up, laying out framework, and defining roles, providing 40-50 volunteers for classrooms each school year.
- Recruited and trained hundreds of volunteers to keep programs running successfully every school year.
- Oversee and manage several other successful programs throughout the year, including the Pen Pal program and Reading with Friends program
- Plan, host and oversee major events for the community including annual Back to School Block Party
Intern
The Women’s Center of Southeast Michigan
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Provide direct individual and family counseling to 5-8 clients per week
- Experience working with a wide range of clients representing diversity in ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, religion, and age
- Experience working with a wide range of problems and diagnoses including neurodevelopmental disorders, psychotic disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, and personality disorders
- Coordinate and maintain own case load, including all contact and paperwork
- Participate in supervision, case consultation, and professional development.
Intern
Ypsilanti Community Schools
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Provide direct one on one personal clinical mental health counseling for 7-10 students per week
- Conduct a series of groups including: two girls’ middle school groups with focus on self-esteem, healthy relationships, and conflict resolution; middle school grief group; and a high school girls group with the focus on self expression
- Experience working with children and adolescents from 2nd through 12th grades.
Graduate Assistant
Eastern Michigan University
06.2013 - 06.2015
- Responsible for running the EMU satellite counseling clinics at Estabrook Elementary and Ypsilanti Community High School
- Responsible for communication between teachers, students, counselors, and staff
- Liaison between Ypsilanti Community Schools, EMU Counseling Department, and the community
- Advocating for mental health in Ypsilanti Community Schools.
Education
M.A. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI08.2015
B.A. in Psychology -
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI04.2012
Skills
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Strategic leadership
- Operations Oversight
- Effective leader
- Staff Development
- Group and individual instruction
- Organizational Leadership
- Program Leadership
License
Licensed Professional Counselor (Michigan)
Professional References
- Tim Wilson, Executive Director, Washtenaw Promise, twilson@washtenawpromise.org, 734.476.9749
- Erin Bradley Early Childhood Director, Linden Community Schools, ebradley@lindenschools.org, 586.212.2123
- Ginelle Boyle, Director of Early Childhood Services, St. Joesph County ISD, gboyle@sjcisd.org, 517.474.1057
Timeline
Program Director
Washtenaw Promise
01.2019 - Current
Behavioral Specialist, Conscious Discipline Coach
Ypsilanti Community Schools
09.2017 - Current
Intern
The Women’s Center of Southeast Michigan
01.2015 - 08.2015
Intern
Ypsilanti Community Schools
01.2015 - 06.2015
Graduate Assistant
Eastern Michigan University
06.2013 - 06.2015
M.A. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Eastern Michigan University
B.A. in Psychology -
Grand Valley State University
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