Merabeth Christensen
Kirksville,MO
Summary
Compassionate, professional school counselor with experience in Tier I instruction, small-group counseling, and individual sessions. Strengths include relationship building, working in a team setting, flexibility, communication, active listening, and student advocacy. Reliable and dedicated to fostering student growth both academically and socially-emotionally, with a focus on proactive rather than reactive support.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional School Counselor
Bondurant-Farrar CSD
Bondurant, Iowa
08.2023 - 07.2025
- Communicated with parents, staff, and administrators to address student concerns and support needs.
- Efficiently managed 3rd and 4th grade classrooms with a variety of learned management strategies while implementing social and
emotional lessons on topics such as responsibility, kindness, identifying feelings, drama, bullying, and
many other developmentally appropriate themes through Second Step Curriculum. - Values student-to-counselor relationships using confidentiality, listening skills, and overall problem-solving techniques.
- Assisted in crisis intervention to ensure student safety and emotional support.
- Maintained accurate records of student interactions and progress notes.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance student performance and outcomes on the PBIS, Tier II, and At-Risk teams.
- Worked collectively with education professionals to deliver individual counseling sessions for identified students.
- Maintained timely, professional communication with families and staff through phone and email, skillfully managing sensitive and high-stakes conversations.
- Established and facilitated developmentally appropriate small groups while following the ASCA national model and receiving teacher input through data.
- Developed and led 504 meetings with parents, administration, and other staff members while recognizing that every student and their accommodations are unique.
- Participated in regular team meetings with other school counselors to discuss district-wide topics, curriculum alignment, and ensure that all standards are being met.
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Kirksville School District
Kirksville, Missouri
10.2025 - Current
- Utilization of technology to support fellow staff and students in professional and academic growth.
- While following district policies, I maintain flexibility in my daily schedule with the realization each and every situation is unique and different.
- Continually promotes and teaches student and self-advocacy in all classrooms to provide equity for all students.
- Adapts teaching strategies to accommodate various learning styles and abilities in each classroom.
- Assisted with classroom instruction, following lesson plans and providing additional support to students.
- Requested as substitute teacher based on excellent referrals and trusted performance.
- Provided notes and reports on school day activities to primary teacher.
- Remained up-to-date with emergency procedures to keep students and staff safe in emergency events.
- Monitors classrooms, ensuring that all students are safe and adhering to school rules.
- Collaborated with coworkers in various professional settings to understand district and school policies,
environment, and overall expectations.
Server Manager
Maxwells Beach Cafe
Spirit Lake, Iowa
05.2013 - 09.2025
- Formally recognized as a lead manager responsible for overseeing the opening and closing duties, while coaching and mentoring new employees regarding menu items, company policies, and overall
- responsibilities.
- Creates scheduling for the waitress and bussing staff while maintaining respect for employees and meeting deadlines.
- Studies and provides expertise on top-tier cuisine which allows for ongoing trusted customer relationships and overall positive experiences.
Education
Master of Science - Professional School Counseling
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN05-2023
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN05-2021
Skills
- Reliability
- Positivity
- Relationship Building
- Empathy
- Student advocacy
- Crisis intervention
- Classroom management
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Leadership
Timeline
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Kirksville School District
10.2025 - Current
Professional School Counselor
Bondurant-Farrar CSD
08.2023 - 07.2025
Server Manager
Maxwells Beach Cafe
05.2013 - 09.2025
Master of Science - Professional School Counseling
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato