Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Extracurricular Activities
Volunteer Experience
Timeline
Generic

Kara Varina

162 Petersburg Rd. Hackettstown,NJ

Summary

Seeking a school counselor position where my passion for education, adaptability, and commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment can contribute to the academic growth and success of students.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Counselor Support Specialist

International Gymnastics Camp
06.2024 - Current
  • Guide counselors in developing skills and strategies for dealing with adolescents.
  • Contribute to a supportive work environment by sharing knowledge, resources, and new findings.
  • Utilize motivational techniques to encourage positive exchanges in counselors & campers lives.
  • Mentor counselors, providing guidance and support to ensure their professional growth.
  • Facilitate team-building exercises that foster camaraderie among campers and staff members.
  • Establish positive relationships with parents, addressing concerns and providing updates on camper progress.

Owner/Coach, L1-Trainer

Strong Together Byram
06.2018 - Current
  • Manage day-to-day business operations.
  • Consult with members to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
  • Train and motivate employees to perform daily business functions.
  • Establish foundational processes for business operations.
  • Design and implement variety of fitness instruction classes.
  • Monitor clients' progress and modify programs.
  • Motivate clients to stay on track with fitness goals with positive and friendly approach.

Mindfulness Teacher

Hatchery Hill & Willow Grove Elementary Schools
09.2019 - 11.2021
  • Developed and taught a Mindfulness curriculum for pre-k thru 4th grade
  • Collaborated with colleagues to share ideas and resources to enhance student experience and success.
  • Met needs of different students by adapting teaching materials and methods.
  • Organized activities to promote learning and increase student enjoyment.

School Counselor

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2012 - 06.2019
  • Realtime Coordinator, Testing Coordinator, Created student schedules, Homebound Instruction, I&RS Coordinator, Piloted Mindfulness Program, Ran small group counseling sessions, Collaborated with teachers and administration on a daily basis, HIB Coordinator/Anti-bullying Specialist
  • Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
  • Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
  • Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
  • Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
  • Collaborated with teachers and other school personnel to help implement individualized education plans for students with special needs.
  • Regularly met with students to confirm success and identify problem areas.
  • Conducted academic conferences to identify areas of academic and behavioral strengths and weaknesses and recommend modifications to improve learning and behavior.

Literacy Lab Coordinator

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2010 - 06.2012
  • Organized school wide Learnia assessment, Taught PACE- gifted and talented, Ran various clubs~Battle of the books, Battle of the minds, chess club, Created "The Hard Back Cafe" during lunch times for students to showcase their talents outside of the classroom.
  • Provided technical guidance and training to staff.

5th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2009 - 01.2010
  • Developed weekly lesson plans geared to student ability and interest, Attended Individualized Education Program Meetings, Communicated daily with a team of teachers, communicated regularly with parents, Established and reinforced positive discipline and effective classroom management.
  • Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
  • Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
  • Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.

Personal Aide

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2008 - 01.2009
  • Provided assistance to a fifth grade student who has Asberger’s Syndrome, ADHD, and multiple learning disabilities, Taught one period of self-contained Math to a group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders

Education

Masters Degree in School Counseling -

Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Special Education, Psychology

East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg, PA

Warren Hills Regional High School
Washington, NJ
06.2003

Skills

  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Student Records Management
  • Student Counseling
  • Student Support
  • Classroom Management
  • Classroom Instruction
  • Small Business Operations
  • Customer Relations
  • Goal Establishment and Monitoring

Certification

  • CrossFit Certified L1-Trainer, Strong Together Byram CrossFit - August 2018-Current
  • Student Assistance Coordinator - 06/2014
  • School Counselor, State of New Jersey - 12/2010
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities - 12/2010
  • CEAS, Elementary Education (N-8), State of New Jersey - 03/2008
  • Professional Certificate, Elementary K-6, State of Pennsylvania - 01/2008
  • Certified Substitute Teacher, Warren and Hunterdon Counties, NJ - 12/2005-Present
  • Praxis II- Required for NJ (Elementary Education: Content Knowledge) - 11/2007
  • Highly Qualified in the following areas:
  • Praxis II- Middle School Science - 07/2008, Middle School English/Language Arts - 11/2008, Middle School Mathematics - 11/2008


References

Mr. Brent Klaus, Owner, International Gymnastics Camp, 100 Gymnastics Way, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (610)504-3823 Mr. William Thompson, Chief School Administrator, White Township School, 565 County Rt. 519, Belvidere, NJ, 07823, (908) 319-1918, thompson@whitetwpsd.org Ms. Alyssa Catalano, Operations Manager, Strong Together Byram 20 Continental Dr. Stanhope, NJ (973)-960-3452 

Extracurricular Activities

Owner of Strong Together Byram, Stanhope, NJ - 08/2018-Present (Fitness facility) Pre-School Gymnastics Coach, International Gymnastics School 2024-2025 Room Parent for my children's classes 2022 & 2023 Head Cheerleading Coach- Hackettstown High School - 2013 Assistant Cheerleading Coach- Hackettstown High School - 2012 Volleyball Coach – Hackettstown Middle School - 02/2009-2012 (Coached 5th-8th grade girls; taught the rules and techniques of volleyball, interacted with other coaches, managed the scheduling of games) Established a boys team in 2011

Volunteer Experience

  • President, Warren County School Counselors Association - 2017-2019
  • Guest Speaker, William Patterson University - 2015-2016 (Spoke to classes of students who were pursuing their school counseling degree.)
  • Habitat for Humanity, Warren County Chapter, Washington, NJ - 2001-2002; 04/2008-2012 (Secretary for monthly meetings, take notes and email them to various members.)


Timeline

Counselor Support Specialist

International Gymnastics Camp
06.2024 - Current

Mindfulness Teacher

Hatchery Hill & Willow Grove Elementary Schools
09.2019 - 11.2021

Owner/Coach, L1-Trainer

Strong Together Byram
06.2018 - Current

School Counselor

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2012 - 06.2019

Literacy Lab Coordinator

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2010 - 06.2012

5th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2009 - 01.2010

Personal Aide

Hackettstown Middle School
09.2008 - 01.2009

Masters Degree in School Counseling -

Centenary College

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Special Education, Psychology

East Stroudsburg University

Warren Hills Regional High School

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