Kayla Kohutek
Abilene,TX
Summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented professional with extensive experience in emotional and social development. Known for strong teamwork and reliable support, contributing to a positive school environment and advocating for students’ needs.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary Special Education Counselor
Abilene Independent School District
Abilene, TX
08.2024 - Current
- Facilitated counseling sessions, promoting emotional and social development in students.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to support student progress and behavior management.
- Conducted assessments to identify student strengths and areas for improvement.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and counseling activities for compliance purposes.
- Assisted in the successful transition of students from special education programs to mainstream classrooms, providing ongoing support as needed.
- Boosted student confidence and self-esteem by creating a safe and nurturing educational environment.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using appropriate assessment tools, adjusting instructional strategies accordingly for optimal results.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive evaluations for students referred to special education services.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, behavior, and attendance, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents, and support staff to ensure comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Collaborated with families to provide resources for children outside of school district.
Elementary School Counselor
Abilene Independent School District
Abilene, TX
08.2021 - 07.2023
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to identify student needs and promote supportive environments.
- Conducted individual and group counseling sessions to enhance student well-being and resilience.
- Coordinated with community resources to provide additional support services for students in need.
- Created a safe space for students within the school community where they felt comfortable discussing their concerns or seeking guidance from counselors or staff members.
- Promoted a positive school environment by fostering strong relationships among staff, parents, and students.
- Participated in IEP meetings to advocate for the needs of special education students, ensuring access to appropriate resources and support services.
- Collaborated with teachers to identify students in need of additional support, providing tailored counseling services.
- Collaborated with behavioral aides, teachers, psychiatrists and school nurses to assess student needs and strengths.
- Managed crisis situations effectively, providing timely intervention and referrals to outside agencies when necessary.
- Maintained confidential behavioral data, special education reports and services reports.
- Conducted individual counseling sessions to improve student emotional and social skills.
- Facilitated group sessions to address common adolescent issues, promoting peer support and understanding.
- Collaborated with external mental health professionals to provide comprehensive support services.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Advocated for students to access available resources.
- Facilitated conflict resolution among peers, resulting in improved classroom dynamics and reduced behavioral issues.
Elementary School Teacher
Abilene Independent School District
Abilene, TX
08.2005 - 07.2009
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with state curriculum standards.
- Fostered a positive learning environment to enhance student participation and collaboration.
- Assessed student progress through various evaluation methods, providing timely feedback to parents and guardians.
- Mentored new teachers on instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects that promoted critical thinking skills.
Education
Master of Science - Professional School Counseling
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX12-2021
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Hardin Simmons University
Abilene, TX05-2005
Skills
- Classroom accommodations
- Inclusion strategies
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Emotional regulation
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Social skills training
- Behavior modification
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
Certification
Generalist EC-4
English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
Special Education Supplemental
School Counselor
Certified Grief Educator
Timeline
Elementary Special Education Counselor
Abilene Independent School District
08.2024 - Current
Elementary School Counselor
Abilene Independent School District
08.2021 - 07.2023
Elementary School Teacher
Abilene Independent School District
08.2005 - 07.2009
Master of Science - Professional School Counseling
Angelo State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Hardin Simmons University