Margaret Terrell-Smith
Porter,TX
Summary
Proactive school counselor with a strong record in meeting student and parent needs while improving program efficiency. Expertise in conflict resolution and delivering effective solutions. Organized leader adept at managing multiple projects in dynamic educational settings. Noted for fostering safe learning environments and enhancing student wellbeing and academic performance.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Middle School Counselor
Spring Independent School District
Houston, Texas
08.2025 - Current
- Lead and coordinate the middle school counseling program to ensure alignment with district and state guidelines.
- Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development.
- Coordinated academic planning, course selection, and career readiness initiatives to align with student needs.
- Collaborated with administrators, teachers, and families to bolster student success and advance campus initiatives.
- Supervised and supported counseling staff, fostering collaboration and enhancing professional growth.
School Counselor
Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX
02.2022 - 08.2025
- Provided individual and group counseling to support students facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and intellectual disabilities, fostering a safe and supportive environment.
- Assisted students on caseload in creating personalized academic, career, and personal/social skills goals to support holistic development.
- Developed and delivered classroom lessons on character, social-emotional learning, and executive functioning skills to enhance student well-being.
Reading Interventionist
Spring Independent School District
Houston, TX
08.2021 - 02.2022
- Implemented research-based interventions in Math and ELA for students below grade level, addressing specific needs identified through district and state assessments.
- Delivered direct instruction and instructional support to students with identified deficits, enhancing their learning outcomes.
- Assisted teachers in strategies to boost student academic performance, aligning efforts with state standards and district goals.
Lead 1st/2nd Grade Teacher/Grade Level Chair
KIPP Texas Public Schools
Houston, TX
08.2014 - 08.2021
- Developed and delivered daily objectives that promoted student growth and achievement through measurable, rigorous goals
- Maintained classroom management through structured routines, procedures, and reward systems, enhancing social skills integration in daily learning
- Applied diverse teaching styles to broaden learning experiences and cater to various student needs
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators
504 Coordinator
KIPP Texas Public Schools
Houston, Texas
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Collaborated with students' parents to develop and implement individualized 504 plans.
- Partnered with teachers to clarify 504 plan requirements and ensure consistent, accurate implementation in the classroom.
- Developed individual 504 plans that facilitated educational, physical, and social development for students.
Emotional Intelligence Teacher
KIPP Dream Prep
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Developed and implemented engaging, effective lessons that help give students the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict
- Designed and implemented programs that help students make a connection between academic material and their own personal experiences; this made the learning process more practical.
- Designed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Facilitated collaborative learning activities, increasing student participation and engagement.
- Implemented classroom management strategies, fostering a positive and conducive learning environment.
Teaching Fellow
KIPP Dream Prep
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Planned and taught engaging whole class lessons for kindergarten students in math and science, fostering a strong foundational understanding of key concepts.
- Developed and implemented daily lesson plans for 1st grade, administered assessments, and analyzed student performance to identify areas for improvement.
- Designed lesson plans to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Facilitated classroom activities to promote collaborative learning among students.
- Assisted teachers in implementing curriculum aligned with KIPP's educational standards.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, TX12-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX05-2011
Skills
- Classroom management
- Behavior management
- Parent collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Public speaking
- Active listening
- Student advocacy
- Behavioral support strategies
Certification
- Generalist (EC-6) July 2017 to March 2023
- English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6) July 2017 to March 2023
- School Counselor(EC-12) May 2020 to March 2023
Timeline
Lead Middle School Counselor
Spring Independent School District
08.2025 - Current
School Counselor
Houston Independent School District
02.2022 - 08.2025
Reading Interventionist
Spring Independent School District
08.2021 - 02.2022
504 Coordinator
KIPP Texas Public Schools
08.2018 - 08.2020
Lead 1st/2nd Grade Teacher/Grade Level Chair
KIPP Texas Public Schools
08.2014 - 08.2021
Emotional Intelligence Teacher
KIPP Dream Prep
08.2013 - 08.2014
Teaching Fellow
KIPP Dream Prep
08.2012 - 05.2013
Master of Arts - Counseling
Prairie View A & M University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas Southern University