Ellen Wright
Monroe,IA
Summary
Proactive and motivated leader with 10+ years of experience working with and advocating for varying populations of students. Committed to advocating and assisting individuals to becoming their best selves, engaging students to prioritize their mental health, demonstrate success in multiple areas of life, and creating safe spaces for personal growth and success. Proactive and understanding individual committed to serving disadvantaged individuals, special-needs populations and struggling youth. Determined to help all students thrive in individual and community settings. Hardworking and enthusiastic with innovative problem-solving and listening skills. Successful at cultivating productive relationships with students, families, and community members. Passionate about providing needed assistance to build social and academic skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Discipleship/Christian Education
Indianola First United Methodist Church
Indianola, IA
08.2011 - Current
- Provides direction and leadership for youth, adult, children programming of First UMC
- Aligns educational programming to greater organizational mission
- Spearheaded program planning for mental health awareness, character building and leadership development for a 1500-member organization
- Lead teams in developing and implementing vision for youth, adult, children’s programming
- Coordinates educational program offerings to identify and address needs of organization members
- Coordinated Parent Nights to build relationships with families and teach various parenting techniques and grow parental involvement
- Implements comprehensive curriculum to classes from kindergarten to twelfth grade
- Developed and maintains relationships with school district officials to successfully advocate for students with barriers to success
- Fostered ongoing relationships with community resources to provide families with referrals to services including mental health, job placement, and housing support
- Conducts individual and group counseling for students and adults
- Provides guidance to students in discerning their life goals and navigate life obstacles
- Designed and implemented middle school transition curriculum which decreased anxiety levels and increased readiness for incoming sixth grade students
- Implements all safety and security processes for children and youth within organization
- Serve as representative at professional and recruiting events
- Lead, coordinate and implement community outreach events such as food bank volunteer days, meal packaging, distributing homeless bags and “Be the Good” events
- Lead weekly large group events for middle school and high school students
- Database management, proficient in Excel, Word, Adobe, Power point and other computer software
- Develops and implements comprehensive education and communication plans for all educational and small group opportunities
- Works directly with disadvantaged community members to facilitate financial assistance, food procurement, social services advocacy, and housing
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA05.2024
Bachelor of Science - History, (Secondary Education Emphasis)
Iowa State University
Ames, IA2004
Skills
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Strategic Leadership
- Vision Driven, Detail Oriented
- Leader Development
- Problem Solving
- Life Skills Development
- Family Collaboration
- Mental Health Awareness
- Positive Learning Environment
- Abuse and Neglect Reporting
- Personnel Management
- Community Relationships
- Group Classes
- Social Skills Group Leadership
- Individual And Family Support
- Data Entry
Timeline
Director of Discipleship/Christian Education
Indianola First United Methodist Church
08.2011 - Current
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Buena Vista University
Bachelor of Science - History, (Secondary Education Emphasis)
Iowa State University
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