Mariko Garza
Austin,TX
Summary
Compassionate School Psychologist with background in providing psychological and educational support to students. Specialized in conducting comprehensive psycho-educational assessments, developing intervention strategies, and counseling for various emotional and behavioral issues. Skilled at collaborating with educators, families, and other school staff to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. Passionate about fostering mental health awareness and promoting positive behaviors.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
School Psychologist
Ventura Unified School District
Ventura, CA
08.2011 - 06.2022
- Assessments: conducted initials and/or triennials for students with Intellectual Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impairment, Autism, TBI, Orthopedic Impairments, Visual Impairments, Multiple Disabilities, 504 Assessments, Exit Assessments, Bilingual Assessments, Threat Assessments
- Presented at Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings with advocates and attorneys
- Counseling: brief counseling with students in general and special education
- Have counseled and called the crisis team for students who were suicidal
- Provided brief counseling and resources for teachers and staff
- Counseling group for social skills/executive functioning
- Administration: lead IEP meetings and Student Study Team (SST) meetings
- Participated in leadership meetings
- Helped to develop the Moderate-to-Severe Program at Buena High School
- Consultation: provided behavioral/instructional consultation to teachers and/or parents in both regular and special education settings through the SST or IEP meetings, collaborated with specialists to develop interventions, and conducted observations
- Behavior: Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP), Positive Behavior Intervention Plans, Manifestation Determinations, Threat Assessments, Part of the Suicide Team, Developed the Re-Entry procedure at Buena High School after students return from being hospitalized for mental health reasons
School Psychologist Intern
Conejo Valley Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, CA
01.2010 - 06.2011
- Assessments: conducted initials and/or triennials for students with Emotional Disturbance, Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impairment, Autism, Exit Assessments, Bilingual Assessments
- Presented at Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings with advocates/attorneys
- Counseling: individual for students with IEPs
- Consultation: provided behavioral/instructional consultation to teachers and/or parents in both regular and special education settings through the Student Study Team (SST) or Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings, consulted on 504 Plans, collaborated with specialists to develop interventions, and conducted observations
- Behavior: Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP), Manifestation Determinations
School Psychologist Practicum Experience
Conejo Valley Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, CA
01.2009 - 06.2010
- Assessments: Completion of psycho-educational evaluations, report writing, play based preschool assessments, and presented at IEP meetings
- Observations: conducted naturalistic observations, frequency counts, and observed numerous play based preschool assessments
- Consultation: provided behavioral/instructional consultations to teachers and parents of students in both regular and special education
- Counseling: Individual counseling (social skills & material management), and Group counseling ('Banana Splits' for children from divorced or separated homes)
- Workshop: provided parent/caregiver workshop on homework, 'Learn Your Child's Homework Style'
School Psychologist Practicum Experience
Saugus Union School District
Santa Clarita, CA
01.2008 - 06.2009
- Assessments: observed IEP meetings and SST meetings special education programs
- Observations: conducted naturalistic observations, frequency counts, interval recordings of student behavior
- Counseling: assisted in group counseling for students with autism
Education
MA - School Psychology, Pupil Personnel Services Credential
Phillips Graduate Institute
Encino05.2011
BA - Liberal Studies, Concentration: Mathematics
California State University, Northridge
Northridge05.2008
Skills
- Threat Assessments
- Creating Standardized Protocols
- Program Development
- Intellectual Disability Assessments
- Manifestation Determinations
- School counseling
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Individual and family support
- Evidence-based practices
- Individualized education programs
- Mental health assessments
- Positive behavior supports
- Learning disability identification
- 504 plans
- Data collection
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
School Psychologist
Ventura Unified School District
08.2011 - 06.2022
School Psychologist Intern
Conejo Valley Unified School District
01.2010 - 06.2011
School Psychologist Practicum Experience
Conejo Valley Unified School District
01.2009 - 06.2010
School Psychologist Practicum Experience
Saugus Union School District
01.2008 - 06.2009
MA - School Psychology, Pupil Personnel Services Credential
Phillips Graduate Institute
BA - Liberal Studies, Concentration: Mathematics
California State University, Northridge
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