Karen M. Armstrong
Lithia Springs,Georgia
Summary
Dynamic educator skilled in adaptive learning and multicultural education, successfully enhancing student engagement and achievement at Fulton County Schools. Proven expertise in assessment strategies leads to consistently improved educational outcomes, showcasing a strong ability to address diverse student needs effectively. Committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that drive academic success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Fulton County Schools
Atlanta, Georgia
08.2022 - Current
- Provides instruction for students that enables them to learn and demonstrate mastery of the Georgia Performance Standards of Excellence.
- Provides content-related and appropriate instruction based on Fulton County's curriculum.
- Exhibits knowledge of performance-based instruction and assessment.
- Integrates appropriate technology into classroom instruction.
- Works with parents and guardians in all educational aspects of the student’s program.
- Communicated regularly with parents about their child's academic progress via email or phone calls.
- Assessed student performance through quizzes, tests, and projects.
- Designed and implemented strategies for differentiated instruction to meet the needs of students with varying abilities and learning styles.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive lesson plans covering U.S. History, World History, Geography, and Civics, aligning with state standards and benchmarks.
- Organized and led field trips to historical sites and museums to provide experiential learning opportunities.
- Incorporated technology into the classroom through the use of smart boards, educational software, and online resources to enhance learning experiences.
- Managed classroom environment to foster a safe and inclusive space conducive to learning.
- Utilized a variety of instructional strategies, including lectures, discussions, and project-based learning, to accommodate diverse learning styles.
- Devised lesson plans aligned with the curriculum, and met varying student needs.
- Used positive reinforcement method to redirect poor behavior.
- Maintained records of grades, assignments, test scores, and other relevant data for each student.
- Advocated for the importance of social studies education within the school and broader community, highlighting its role in developing informed and active citizens.
- Participated in professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with educational trends and methodologies.
- Encouraged positive behavior in the classroom by setting expectations and providing appropriate rewards.
Academic Coach-First Year Transition/Student Success
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
08.2020 - 08.2023
- Assess individual student needs, and work with the Office of Student Success to ensure students in first-year roles will transition into college successfully and achieve their maximum educational and vocational potential.
- Responsible for meeting with students monthly on an individual or group basis to develop targeted educational and career pathways, monitor performance and academic progress, maximize resources and services, and serve as a trusted resource for students to ensure understanding of the academic process.
- Responds appropriately to early alert situations, monitors and documents student academic achievement, and complies with plans for success.
- Collaborate with the Office of Counseling Services to assist students with individual and group mental health services, referrals for psychoeducational workshops, stress management, and career guidance.
- Integrated technology into instruction whenever possible.
- Collaborated with faculty to ensure student success.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Taught note-taking techniques and test strategies.
- Developed a system of rewards for outstanding academic achievement.
- Presented tutoring workshops and academic support sessions for small groups.
- Identified issues in students and made references to appropriate services and resources.
- Helped students develop strategies for improving test taking skills.
- Prepared handouts, study materials and other teaching aids.
- Recommended supplementary books, software, and other learning materials.
- Educated students in use of various study techniques.
- Conducted one-on-one meetings with students to discuss academic performance, challenges, and goals.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to educational coaching strategies.
- Explained tutoring services and booked tutoring appointments.
- Examined students' goals and interests to counsel on important academic decisions.
- Used technology in tutoring sessions to diversify and enhance learning.
- Motivated students by setting realistic goals they could strive towards achieving.
- Monitored student progress through regular assessments and feedback sessions.
- Facilitated group discussions about topics relevant to the classroom environment.
- Assessed areas of difficulty in order to create an appropriate plan of action.
- Discussed academic issues of students such as and with instructors and administrators.
- Stayed up-to-date on current trends in education technology and research methods.
- Aided students in computer laboratories and other out-of-classroom academic environments.
- Organized workshops focused on helping students enhance their learning abilities.
- Generated reports detailing the progress being made by individual learners.
- Assisted students in developing and executing academic plans that fit their individual needs.
2nd Year Generalist Intern- MSW Student- Georgia State University
Agape Family Empowerment Center
Atlanta, Georgia
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Provide opportunities to assist students with applying classroom knowledge to the work world.
- Help youth develop motivation and self-confidence.
- Aid in Agape’s capacity building through policy research, program evaluation and implementation, employee training and engagement, organizational development, and youth and educational programming.
- Developing fundraising and grant-writing skills to secure operational goals and budget implementations.
- Assessed company operations for compliance with safety standards.
- Organized client meetings to provide project updates.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining deadlines and budgets.
- Collaborated with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to ensure successful project completion.
- Set specific goals for projects to measure progress and evaluate end results.
- Managed schedules, made appointments, and gathered supporting materials.
- Facilitated brainstorming sessions among team members aimed at generating creative ideas.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Drafted detailed reports summarizing results from qualitative and quantitative analyses conducted by the team.
- Evaluated vendor proposals against established criteria before awarding contracts.
- Performed cost-benefit analyses on proposed initiatives prior to implementation.
First Year Generalist Intern-MSW Student- Georgia State University
S.H.A.R.E House
Douglasville, Georgia
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Assist the legal advocates and housing counselors to provide crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence, and to provide a continuum of care to address the causes and effects of family violence.
- Assess the needs of victims of domestic violence, and provide resources aimed at reducing future risks of victimization and displacement.
- Conducted intake and assessments for client services.
- Facilitated individual and group domestic violence workshops, and referrals for shelter-based housing services for the domestic violence client base and DFCS-mandated clients.
- Just so you know, I identified the needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Led cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions that addressed business needs.
- Worked closely with human resources to support employee management and organizational planning.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
- Implemented strategies to take advantage of new opportunities.
- Utilized document management system to organize company files, keeping up-to-date and easily accessible data.
Intensive Case Manager
Cobb Community Service Board
Atlanta, Georgia
11.2019 - 04.2020
- Intensive Case Management (ICM) is a client-centered, recovery-focused program that provides frequent and flexible services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
- Intervention and wrap-around services are provided through Outpatient Services to offer a range of outpatient services, providing treatment, illness management education, and supporting the development of the skills necessary to function in the community through evidence-based crisis intervention strategies.
- Utilize crisis management protocols to stabilize clients in crisis.
- Ability to prioritize cases based on the complexity of crises and disorders.
- Family education and support are important components of treatment.
- Facilitated group sessions and workshops for clients on various topics.
- Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely documentation and reporting.
- Assessed client needs and developed treatment plans accordingly.
- Identified barriers to client success and developed strategies to overcome them.
- Acted as role model for clients by exhibiting positive behaviors.
- Provided education about community resources available to meet the needs of clients.
- Adhered to ethical principles and standards to protect clients' confidential information.
- Encouraged and motivated clients to develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Conducted assessments of client's needs, strengths, and challenges in order to develop an appropriate care plan.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to professional ethics and standards.
- Provided crisis intervention and supportive counseling services to clients in a variety of settings including home visits and group sessions.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions designed specifically for each individual client.
- Participated in weekly team meetings with colleagues from different departments within our organization.
- Assisted and advocated for clients obtaining financial resources and government entitlements.
- Participated in regular team meetings and in-house training sessions to boost group effectiveness.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in case management.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources and service providers.
- Monitored client progress through regular home visits or phone calls; documented changes in behavior or condition accordingly.
Social Service Case Manager-Adoptions/Foster Care
Fulton County DFCS
Atlanta, Georgia
01.2016 - 04.2017
- Assesses the level of risk to children by conducting face-to-face interviews with the alleged child victims and their caretakers; collaborates with law enforcement when children are removed from caretakers, when the child is found by the courts to be at risk in the home; testifies in court as to the level of risk to children placed in the agency’s legal custody.
- Serves as the case manager for children in foster care; ensures that the children are placed in permanent, stable families within as short a period as possible; visits foster homes, makes referrals for services; supervises visits between children and parents; testifies regarding the status of the agency and/or parents' progress towards the court-approved placement.
- Provide crisis interventions based on evidence-based best practices.
- Practice purposeful case management aimed at the reunification of children and families.
- Prioritize cases based on evidence-based practice models for trauma interventions to protect at-risk children experiencing imminent threats of harm through removals and temporary placements.
- Acted as an advocate for vulnerable populations by advocating for policy changes at the state level.
- Developed individualized care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Identified barriers to client success and developed strategies to overcome them.
- Assisted individuals with eligibility for available benefits.
- Attended court hearings as a representative of the organization when needed.
- Prepared and presented case reports and summaries to stakeholders and management.
- Negotiated with insurance companies and other payers to secure coverage for client services.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to coordinate treatment plans for clients.
- Reviewed treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Researched and analyzed community needs to determine program directions and goals.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and support needs.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-ups and case reviews.
- Consulted with staff on resolution of complex service issues.
- Compiled reports on cases and submitted them to supervisors as required.
- Coordinated transportation services for clients who lacked access to reliable transportation.
- Advocated on behalf of clients to secure necessary services and support.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up contacts.
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals and developing action plans.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies as needed to address emergent client issues.
- Educated clients and their families about their rights and available community resources.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources and service providers.
- Established and maintained relationships to meet community needs and avoid service duplication.
- Collaborated with other service providers to ensure continuity of care for clients.
- Utilized case management software and databases for efficient information tracking.
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients in emergency situations.
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to professional ethics and standards.
- Linked clients with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies to help claim or reclaim individual autonomy.
- Provided referrals to appropriate medical, mental health, and social services.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment options.
- Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely documentation and reporting.
- Assisted with applications for government benefits such as Medicaid or Social Security Disability Insurance.
Identity Theft Resolutions Contact Representative, Tax Examination Technician
Internal Revenue Service
Chamblee, Georgia
01.2007 - 01.2016
- Responsible for resolving tax-related identity theft claims and ensuring the highest level of taxpayer confidence.
- Making necessary account adjustments to correct accounts and being responsible for the examination of taxpayer returns to address all relevant concerns within the established methods and procedures, as well as the Internal Revenue Service Manual, including adjustments, issuance of refunds, referrals for examination, and fraud.
- Addressed all taxpayer inquiries in an inbound call center setting, including tax law inquiries, general account maintenance, document preparation, and error corrections.
- Answer inquiries about refunds, balance due accounts, and establish payment arrangements as necessary.
- The National Taxpayer Advocate Assistor is responsible for intake screening of taxpayer hardship criteria and making determinations for appropriate hardship referrals.
- Responsible for training and coaching newly hired customer service representatives on phones, as well as paper inventory.
Customer Relations Representative
AGL Resources/Ga. Natural Gas
Atlanta, Georgia
07.2002 - 08.2007
- Utility service activations, deactivations, and transfers.
- Responsible for responding to an average of 100 to 200 inbound calls per day.
- Provide customer account maintenance to include billing inquiries, adjustments, and rebates in an inbound call center environment.
- Responsible for addressing customer complaints that have escalated to the governmental regulatory level, and responding promptly.
- Addressed escalated customer service representative calls.
- Responsible for the maintenance of builder, governmental, and major client account services.
- Answered customer inquiries via telephone, email, and social media platforms.
- Resolved customer complaints through attentive listening and creative problem-solving techniques.
- Maintained accurate records of customer interactions and transactions for future reference.
- Enhanced productivity and customer service levels by anticipating needs and delivering outstanding support.
- Expressed appreciation for patronage, inviting, and encouraging customer return visits.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure a seamless customer service experience.
- Informed customers about billing procedures, processed payments, and provided payment option setup assistance.
- Kept records of customer interactions or transactions, thoroughly recording details of inquiries.
- Updated databases with new and modified customer data.
- Collected deposits or payments and arranged for billing.
- Processed payments from customers using various payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and checks.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Education
LMSW Candidate-License eligible -
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA05-2025
Master of Arts-Teaching - History 6-12
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA12-2024
M.S.W. -
Georgia State University
01.2022
B.S. - Human Services
Kennesaw State University
01.2015
Skills
- Collaborative learning
- Feedback techniques
- Civic education
- Cultural awareness
- Global perspectives
- Assessment strategies
- Student engagement
- Adaptive learning
- Multicultural education
- Inquiry-based teaching
- Peer assessment
- Project-based learning
- Creative problem solving
- Differentiated instruction
- Student needs assessment
Certification
- S5- School Social Work K-12
- SRT- Middle Grades Social Science 4-8
- SRT-History 6-12
- SRT-Urban Education Endorsement
- Foster Care & Adoptions Certification
References
Available upon request
Volunteer Experience
- Intern- Student-School Counselor/Social Worker, Clayton County Schools, Jonesboro, Georgia, 01/01/16, 12/31/18, Assist the Social Worker and School Counselor in all aspects of daily school operations., Responsible for providing social skills training, managing absenteeism, making appropriate DFCS referrals, investigating complaints of students, teachers, administrators, and staff, and coordinating with DFCS, as necessary., Complying with the McKinney-Vento Act regarding homeless students and ensuring the students are receiving the appropriate resources.
- Intern- Student-School Counselor/Social Worker, Douglas County Schools, Douglasville, Georgia, 01/01/15, 12/31/15, Assist the Social Worker and School Counselor in all aspects of daily school operations., Responsible for providing social skills training, managing absenteeism, making appropriate DFCS referrals, investigating complaints of students, teachers, administrators, and staff, and coordinating with DFCS, as necessary., Complying with the McKinney-Vento Act regarding homeless students and ensuring the students are receiving the appropriate resources.
- Intern-Student, Hospice Advantage, Tucker, Georgia, 01/01/14, 12/31/14, Provided grief counseling to hospice patients in their end-of-life stage in a healthcare setting., Provided support services for patients and family members., Assist the Social Worker and Grief Counselor in all aspects of end-of-life document preparation.
- Guardian ad Litem, Clayton County CASA, Jonesboro, Georgia, 01/01/07, Present, Assessed needs of neglected and/or abandoned children., Responsible for advocating on behalf of the juveniles and making recommendations regarding the best interest of the children based on home visits, school visits, and interviewing all related parties., Sworn and assigned by the judge of Clayton County to speak as the voice of the children in deprivation proceedings.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Volunteer, Atlanta Legal Aid, Atlanta, Georgia, 01/01/11, Present, Responsible for investigating complaints at assisted living and skilled nursing facilities making recommendations to the Ombudsman assigned to the various facilities and advocating on behalf of the best interest of the residents.
Timeline
6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Fulton County Schools
08.2022 - Current
2nd Year Generalist Intern- MSW Student- Georgia State University
Agape Family Empowerment Center
08.2021 - 05.2022
Academic Coach-First Year Transition/Student Success
Georgia State University
08.2020 - 08.2023
First Year Generalist Intern-MSW Student- Georgia State University
S.H.A.R.E House
08.2020 - 05.2021
Intensive Case Manager
Cobb Community Service Board
11.2019 - 04.2020
Social Service Case Manager-Adoptions/Foster Care
Fulton County DFCS
01.2016 - 04.2017
Identity Theft Resolutions Contact Representative, Tax Examination Technician
Internal Revenue Service
01.2007 - 01.2016
Customer Relations Representative
AGL Resources/Ga. Natural Gas
07.2002 - 08.2007
LMSW Candidate-License eligible -
Georgia State University
Master of Arts-Teaching - History 6-12
Georgia State University
M.S.W. -
Georgia State University
B.S. - Human Services
Kennesaw State University
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