Jakara Smith
New Lebanon,Ohio
Summary
Professional educator skilled in creating dynamic, inclusive workplace/classroom experiences that drive student success. Adept at leveraging diverse instructional strategies to meet varied learning needs, ensuring comprehensive understanding of material. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability in ever-evolving educational settings, with focus on critical thinking and communication.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher II
Bombeck Family Learning Center
11.2018 - 01.2025
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey.
- Mentored EDT lab students, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Successfully implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Enhanced literacy skills with targeted reading programs.
- Designed and implemented differentiated instruction strategy to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing educational outcomes.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
Day Habilitation Specialist
Montgomery County Board of DDS
07.2014 - 12.2017
- Act as representative to ISP team by providing liaison support between SSA (serivce ans support adminstrator) and vocational placement.
- Coordinate training of direct service providers at vocational placement on the implementation of training programs service developed by the ID team.
- Monitor implementation of ISP goals and service.
- Analyze data on an ongoing basis and provide systematic feedback to ID team on recommended changes and amendments to the ISP to assure progress skills development of prevention of regression.
- Coordinate the completion pf assessments in advance of the ISP and formulate recommendations that represent the input of direct service staff and outcomes from assessments.
- Monitored for unusual and major unusual incidents.
- Track and coordinate progress on training goals to ensure timely communication to ID team for resolution to met objectives and revisions to program with minimal progress.
- Insure compliance with documentation submissions to reviewing body to ensure maximum financial reimbursement of services.
- Train direct staff on basics of documentation, program implementation, and skill development.
- Provide building-wide leadership on skill development via coordination of programs, projects, and daily routines that promote full participation by all individuals served by facilitating workshops designed to im supportive social skills, self-esteem, problem-solving abilities, and overall quality of life for clients.
- Provided one-on-one support during community outings or specialized appointments as necessary to ensure safety and inclusivity.
- Transported PSA and individuals to community outings.
- Organized group activities that fostered positive relationships among peers while emphasizing teamwork and cooperation skills development.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture through active participation at staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and team-building events In the Social enterprise of Dog Bones.
- Developed trust among individuals, family members, and staff through open communication and consistent follow-through on commitments.
- Ensured compliance with various regulations, including HIPAA and other privacy laws by consistently maintaining client confidentiality in verbal or written communications.
- Developed creative strategies to motivate clients toward reaching their full potential within the day habilitation setting.
- Monitored safety and welfare of people supported and took corrective actions or notified supervisor of concerns.
- Noted client responses and results to facilitate interventions and assessment through proper documentation.
Program Coordinator of the Strengthening Families
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
12.2009 - 06.2010
- Facilitated regular meetings with team members to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and brainstorm solutions for ongoing success.
- Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
- Maintained detailed records of program activities and participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Co-led family skills training groups for parents and children.
- Provide case management to inmates and their families.
- Organized events and workshops to engage participants, enhancing their learning experience within the program framework.
- Negotiated with vendors for services and supplies, achieving cost savings while maintaining quality.
Non-profit Case Manager for Re-entry
PowerNet of Tampa (PowerNet of Dayton)
07.2007 - 04.2011
- Managed a caseload of diverse clients, successfully addressing their unique needs while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
- Maintained accurate records and documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating seamless audits.
- Created well-written, effective care plans appropriately matching needs of clients following standards and guidelines of funders, contractors and governmental regulations.
- Developed strong relationships with community organizations, expanding available resources for clients in need of additional support.
- Informally mentored new case managers and service coordinators, answering questions, offering opportunities to shadow and observe and explaining basic information about company procedures.
- Supported colleagues through mentoring and sharing best practices, promoting a culture of continuous learning within the team.
- Served as case coordinator, assuming responsibility for complex, high-volume assignments and guiding endeavors to successful completion.
- Communicated with supervisor regarding issues related to case management, resourcing, service collaboration and development of new resources.
- Provided safety planning, crisis intervention and case management to clients.
- Coordinated with legal professionals when necessary to address issues related to insurance coverage or other legal matters impacting client cases for the WEP program of JFS.
- Provided service and supportive counseling in client's native language, translating and interpreting between client, family and third-party entities.
- Assisted with hiring and training of new advocates, interns, and volunteers, providing feedback on applicant work aptitude and team compatibility.
- Oversaw implementation of GEM program, collaborating with management to achieve smooth operations.
- Mentored advocates, case managers, interns and volunteers to create positive, productive atmosphere.
- Assisted in the development of department policies and procedures that aligned with industry standards and best practices.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing tailored case management plans.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Assessed community needs and identified resources for social and community service programs.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Partnered with local organizations to expand access to social and community services.
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives.
- Conducted outreach activities to engage local stakeholders in programs.
- Managed volunteer programs focused on providing community services to underserved populations.
- Implemented strategies to increase public awareness of social and community service enterprise program.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services.
- Researched best practices and developed strategies to improve program outcomes.
Education
Master of Science - Community Counselor Education
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH12-2005
Bachelor of Science - Health Information Specialist
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH05-1999
Skills
- Flexible and adaptive
- Digital literacy
- Empathy and patience
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Adaptive learning
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Training facilitation
- Career consultant
- Partnership building
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Verbal and written communication
Timeline
Teacher II
Bombeck Family Learning Center
11.2018 - 01.2025
Day Habilitation Specialist
Montgomery County Board of DDS
07.2014 - 12.2017
Program Coordinator of the Strengthening Families
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
12.2009 - 06.2010
Non-profit Case Manager for Re-entry
PowerNet of Tampa (PowerNet of Dayton)
07.2007 - 04.2011
Master of Science - Community Counselor Education
University of Dayton
Bachelor of Science - Health Information Specialist
University of Dayton
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