Maria Isabel Lopez
Hanford
Summary
Dedicated professional with over ten years of experience in counseling and guidance services for K-12 students, adept at fostering academic and personal growth in diverse populations. Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, collaborating effectively with teams while excelling in independent roles. Expertise in A-G admissions criteria for CSU and UC systems, complemented by a strong background in coordinating recruitment and career fairs. Skilled in delivering engaging informational presentations, including financial aid workshops, and proficient in online counseling through platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Guidance School Counselor Parlier High School & Alternative Ed. Program
Parlier Unified School District
Parlier, CA
02.2011 - Current
- Delivered academic, vocational, personal, and crisis counseling services to all students.
- Assessed individual educational, vocational, and personal needs of students.
- Facilitated information sharing with students to enhance understanding of individual graduation progress.
- Mediated student conflict resolution in peer classroom and family relationships.
- Facilitated coordination and administration of state exams, including ELPAC, CAASPP, and PSAT.
- Facilitated collaboration with college representatives to enhance student matriculation processes.
- Facilitated referrals to external agencies, including mental health services, to enhance client support.
- Delivered engaging informational presentations to students regarding graduation requirements.
- Facilitated collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators to address student needs.
- Guided foster youth students through high school completion and college matriculation processes.
- Facilitated comprehensive support for students with IEPs and 504 plans, collaborating with college DSPS counselors to enhance transition to postsecondary education.
- Facilitated master scheduling and input of student course requests and class schedules.
- Facilitated SST and 504 meeting coordination to ensure compliance with educational standards.
- Facilitated coordination of credit recovery programs to enhance student academic performance.
- Oversaw student progress towards fulfilling high school graduation requirements.
- Assisted in organizing career fairs for students. Supported 8th grade transitional presentations. Aided in coordinating high school visits.
- Facilitated college exposure trips for high school students to enhance early college awareness and access to campus resources.
- Designed and executed student support programs emphasizing social-emotional learning.
Part-Time Migrant Counselor
Merced County Office of Education, Migrant Education Chowchilla High School
04.2009 - 01.2011
- Delivered comprehensive personal and social counseling services to migrant students.
- Guided students in selecting appropriate classes and programs. Assisted students in tracking their progress toward graduation.
- Managed coordination of pass program for credit recovery and ensured monitoring of course completion.
- Facilitated home visits to assess family needs and deliver tailored support to parents.
- Facilitated student decision-making processes and promoted goal-setting strategies.
- Facilitated academic advising for migrant students, enhancing support for guidance counselors and students.
- Facilitated academic presentations for parents and students to enhance educational engagement.
- Provided one-on-one counseling sessions to support students' academic and emotional development.
- Developed individualized education plans in collaboration with teachers and parents.
- Facilitated group workshops on study skills, time management, and stress reduction techniques.
- Implemented outreach programs to engage families in the educational process.
- Monitored student progress and adjusted intervention strategies as needed for effectiveness.
- Collaborated with community organizations to provide resources and support for students and families.
- Trained new staff on counseling protocols and best practices for student engagement.
- Led initiatives to enhance program visibility within the school community through events and presentations.
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Improved client satisfaction through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
- Implemented behavioral modification strategies to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Conducted assessments to determine progress and performance and report findings to relevant authorities.
El Monte Middle School Academic Counselor
Cutler-Orosi Unified School District
Orosi, CA
03.2007 - 06.2008
- Facilitated one-on-one counseling sessions to support student development.
- Analyzed cognitive aptitude and achievement assessments to evaluate individual capabilities.
- Facilitated collaboration with educators to deliver guidance curriculum lessons.
- Utilized Aeries to extract data and analyze student performance metrics.
- Facilitated identification and resolution of student issues and needs in collaboration with school principal.
- Supported collaboration with academic programs including UC Merced and UR College Bound to enhance educational opportunities for students. Assisted Dinuba Children's Counseling Services in providing essential support to families in need. Facilitated partnerships to promote community engagement and resource sharing.
- Facilitated collaboration with school personnel to optimize educational placement for students.
- Communicated student progress updates to parents and school personnel.
- Executed implementation of 504 goals and plans to ensure compliance and support student needs.
Residential Advisor
Upward Bound Program California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA
06.2005 - 07.2005
- Oversaw high school students in dormitory and classroom environments.
- Facilitated personal counseling sessions for upward bound students to enhance academic and personal development.
- Facilitated student support for special project presentations and program completion.
- Facilitated coordination of special events, including career nights, to enhance community engagement.
- Implemented strategies to encourage students in their pursuit of completing PASS program classes.
Mini-Corps Graduate Student Assistant/Advisor
California Mini-Corps California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA
10.2003 - 03.2007
- Facilitated career and academic advising for mini-corps students to enhance their educational and professional development.
- Facilitated professional development training for students, focusing on portfolio creation and resume writing. Oversaw the development of philosophy statements to enhance personal branding. Provided mentorship to foster career readiness among students.
- Enhanced team communication and efficiency by consistently delivering required correspondence and reports, both written and oral, contributing to streamlined operations.
- Facilitated orientation sessions on program handbook for new mini-corps students.
Education
M.S. Degree - Counseling Student Services in Higher Education
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA05.2006
B.A. Degree - Liberal Studies
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA12.2003
Skills
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Affiliations
America School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Guidance School Counselor Parlier High School & Alternative Ed. Program
Parlier Unified School District
02.2011 - Current
Part-Time Migrant Counselor
Merced County Office of Education, Migrant Education Chowchilla High School
04.2009 - 01.2011
El Monte Middle School Academic Counselor
Cutler-Orosi Unified School District
03.2007 - 06.2008
Residential Advisor
Upward Bound Program California State University, Fresno
06.2005 - 07.2005
Mini-Corps Graduate Student Assistant/Advisor
California Mini-Corps California State University, Fresno
10.2003 - 03.2007
B.A. Degree - Liberal Studies
California State University, Fresno
M.S. Degree - Counseling Student Services in Higher Education
California State University, Fresno