Melynda Cruz
Bergenfield,NJ
Summary
Student-focused counselor and educator with strong background in student support and crisis intervention. Drives student success by partnering closely with administrators, teachers and guardians on diverse initiatives. Background in one-on-one assistance and group instruction. Talented in facilitating college, vocational and military applications.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
High School Counselor
Hackensack High School
Hackensack, New Jersey
09.2023 - Current
- Guided students in academic and career planning through one-on-one counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to address student needs and concerns.
- Advocated for students' rights and facilitated access to community resources.
- Guided students concerning academic goals, occupation preferences and college requirements.
- Counseled students on educational options such as college selection and majors, based on their interests and abilities.
- Encouraged parent involvement in their child's education through conferences and meetings with parents and guardians.
Elementary & Middle School Counselor
Stevens Cooperative School
Hoboken, New Jersey
09.2016 - 01.2023
- Lead counselor grades K-8.
- Developed a comprehensive counseling curriculum and delivered weekly lessons to middle school students with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Led planning and facilitation with teachers to focus on all social-emotional classes school-wide.
- Presented trainings to faculty / parents (social media, health, HS transitions).
- Formed partnerships with local professional counselors as additional resource to students and families as well as behaviorists and evaluators.
- Consulted with administration on a daily basis to meet student needs and creatively approach complex issues (HIB, Student Support Team Lead, Class Scheduling, Faculty and Student Interview Committee, Affinity Group Support, Health and Student Advocacy Coordinator, Guidance regarding social, emotional, and academic student needs / Conflict Resolution).
- Met individually with students and ran groups (lunch / after school).
Elementary & Middle School Counselor
Korea International School
Seoul, South Korea
08.2013 - 06.2016
- Created the first counseling program in an international school in Seoul, South Korea and effectively collaborated with counselors in other countries to establish best practices K - 8 with a global focus.
- Developed RAFT (Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewell, Think Destination) and RAMP (Reflect, Access, Meet and Share, Personalize) program for new and departing students.
- Led student support meetings and response planning.
- Promoted cultural awareness and highlighted global perspectives in all aspects of instruction.
- Led multi-subject weekly department meetings focusing on student achievement, student progress to achieve high standards districtwide.
- Led cultural experiences in India, France, Costa Rica, South Korea and Spain.
- Facilitated workshops on social skills and conflict resolution.
Spanish Teacher, Grade-level Chair
Cavallini Middle School
Upper Saddle River, NJ
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-oriented meetings.
- Data analysis to identify student issues, needs, barriers to success.
- Organization and short/long-term planning.
- Teaching and Presenting.
- Collaboration with families / teachers / administration / community to assure student success.
- Bilingual (Spanish / English).
- Organized grade-level meetings to discuss student progress and instructional practices.
- Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes.
Spanish Teacher
Northern Highlands Regional High School
Allendale, New Jersey
09.2007 - 06.2008
- Implemented ACTFL standards to teach Freshman - Senior Spanish students (Span. I - IV).
- Facilitated interactive classroom activities to enhance student participation.
- Organized and led interactive activities such as games, role-playing exercises, and other engaging educational materials.
- Adapted teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles of students.
English Language Teacher
Colegio Maestro Ávila
Salamanca, Spain
09.2006 - 06.2007
- Customized small group and individual classroom activities based on differentiated learning needs.
- Created interesting and age-appropriate reading lists to expand English vocabulary and comprehension skills.
- Employed kinesthetic, visual and auditory approaches to make lessons interesting and interactive.
- Collaborated with faculty to address student concerns and improve support services.
Spanish Teacher
Dwight Englewood School
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
09.2005 - 06.2006
- Facilitated interactive classroom activities to enhance language skills.
- Assessed student progress through regular quizzes and evaluations.
- Monitored student performance throughout the course and provided feedback on areas needing improvement.
- Supervised group travel to Salamanca, Spain for high school students while ensuring safety, educational purpose and comfort of travelers.
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling & Mental Health
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ05-2011
Master of Arts - Multicultural / Multilingual Education (ESL Focus)
Universidad De Salamanca
Salamanca, Spain06-2007
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language And Literature
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05-2006
Skills
- Bilingual communication skills
- Career development
- Academic counseling
- Student advocacy
- Community resource networking
- Cultural awareness
- Conflict resolution
- Parent communication
- Post-secondary career exploration
- Multicultural competence
- Bilingual education programs
- Mental health support
- Team collaboration
- Cultural sensitivity
- Workshop facilitation
- Community outreach
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
Spanish Language Instructor, High Qualified, K-12
Timeline
High School Counselor
Hackensack High School
09.2023 - Current
Elementary & Middle School Counselor
Stevens Cooperative School
09.2016 - 01.2023
Elementary & Middle School Counselor
Korea International School
08.2013 - 06.2016
Spanish Teacher, Grade-level Chair
Cavallini Middle School
09.2008 - 06.2013
Spanish Teacher
Northern Highlands Regional High School
09.2007 - 06.2008
English Language Teacher
Colegio Maestro Ávila
09.2006 - 06.2007
Spanish Teacher
Dwight Englewood School
09.2005 - 06.2006
Master of Arts - School Counseling & Mental Health
Seton Hall University
Master of Arts - Multicultural / Multilingual Education (ESL Focus)
Universidad De Salamanca
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language And Literature
Montclair State University