Melaine Cruz
Summary
Determined School Counselor with success in helping students achieve educational goals and personal well-being. Talented in meeting the objectives of the counseling program by providing preventive education, advocacy, mediation and counseling to students.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Guidance Counselor
Union City School District
Union City, NJ
11.2017 - Current
- Provide services to students in the areas of academics, personal/social and career development.
- Counsel students individually and in small groups.
- Participate and coordinate parent conferences
- Intervention and Referral Service Committee Member.
- Coordinate activities such as Career Day, College Night, FAFSA Workshop, Awards Ceremonies and Parent Workshops.
- Conduct classroom guidance activities.
- Serve as a resource for school personnel and parents.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests, and educational goals.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Collaborated with teachers and other school personnel to create individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Senior Class Advisor
- SAT Coordinator
Intensive In-Home Counselor
M&S Psychotherapy & Counseling Int.
Clifton, NJ
01.2012 - 09.2022
- Develop initial individualized service plans, monthly progress reports, and discharge plans as well as maintain high quality and timely documentation of all case work
- Weekly individual and family sessions to address goals directly related to the clients individualized service plan
- Provide support to youth and families with challenges such as interpersonal relationships, social interactions, behavioral conduct and communication skills in accordance with Individual Service Plans.
Guidance Counselor
East Orange School District
East Orange, NJ
10.2011 - 11.2017
- Provide services to students in the areas of academics, personal/social and career development
- Assist students in conflict resolution/peer mediation
- Counsel students individually and in small groups
- Participate and coordinate parent conferences
- Intervention and Referral Service Committee Chairperson
- Anti-Bullying Specialist
- Testing back-up coordinator
- Coordinate activities such as Career Day, Grandparents Day, Awards Ceremonies and Parent Workshops
- Prepare below proficient students for standardized testing
- Initiate and oversee student programs such as Peer Mediation and Mentoring Programs
- Facilitate and oversee Middle School application process
- Conduct classroom guidance activities
- Serve as a resource for school personnel and parents.
Displaced Homemaker Bilingual Counselor
Bergen County Technical Schools
Hackensack, NJ
01.2011 - 01.2011
- Provide individual counseling to assist women who are financially unsupported transition from home to the work force
- Assist women with career exploration and the job search process
- Link women to support services.
Substitute Teacher
Memorial High School
West New York, NJ
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Administer classroom lessons to students
- Instruct students according to lesson plans for academic work that have been prepared by regular teacher
- Assist testing coordinator.
Crisis Intervention Specialist
Family Intervention Services
Wayne, NJ
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Provide face-to-face crisis response within one hour of notification
- Provide services to children and youth currently involved with Child Welfare, Child Behavioral Health or Juvenile Justice
- Provide eight-week case management and stabilization services to children and youth who exhibit emotional or behavioral challenges
- Coordinate services with a multitude of institutions and agencies, including schools, police departments, juvenile probation departments, DYFS and hospitals
- Provide time sensitive documentation to the Contracted System of New Jersey to address family progress
- Present high-risk cases in court to discuss CMRSS involvement with family and provide recommendations to presiding Judge and Court Liaison.
School Counselor, Intern
Memorial High School
West New York, NJ
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Provide services to students in the areas of academic, personal/social and career development
- Counsel students individually and in small groups
- Assist students in conflict resolution
- Manage crises
- Participate in parent/teacher conferences
- Assist students with the college application process
- Prepare students for standardized testing
- Assist with College Fairs and Career Day.
Behavioral Assistant
M&S Psychotherapy & Counseling Int.
Haledon, NJ
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Assist at-risk youth in meeting personal goals and aspirations through positive behavioral interventions and support
- Provide support to youth with challenges such as interpersonal relationships, social interactions, behavioral conduct and communication skills in accordance with Individual Care Plans
- Ensure proper documentation of all activities in accordance with Federal, State and Local requirements.
Education
Licensed Professional Counselor, Advanced Certificate Program -
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ08.2011
Master of Arts - Counseling, School Counseling
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ08.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05.2006
Skills
- Behavioral assessment
- Individual Counseling
- Student Advocacy
- Career guidance
- Academic advising
- Mental health assessment
- Conflict Mediation
- Suicide Prevention
- Career advising
Certification
- Certified School Counselor
- LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
- Director of Guidance
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Guidance Counselor
Union City School District
11.2017 - Current
Intensive In-Home Counselor
M&S Psychotherapy & Counseling Int.
01.2012 - 09.2022
Guidance Counselor
East Orange School District
10.2011 - 11.2017
Displaced Homemaker Bilingual Counselor
Bergen County Technical Schools
01.2011 - 01.2011
Substitute Teacher
Memorial High School
01.2010 - 01.2011
School Counselor, Intern
Memorial High School
01.2009 - 01.2010
Behavioral Assistant
M&S Psychotherapy & Counseling Int.
01.2009 - 01.2010
Crisis Intervention Specialist
Family Intervention Services
01.2007 - 01.2011
Licensed Professional Counselor, Advanced Certificate Program -
Montclair State University
Master of Arts - Counseling, School Counseling
Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Montclair State University