Michele Thigpen
Greenville,AL
Summary
Dynamic Mental Health Services Coordinator at Butler County Board of Education, adept at fostering community partnerships and advocating for trauma-informed practices. Skilled in IEP planning and relationship building, I successfully enhanced student engagement and academic achievement through innovative interventions and support programs, significantly improving attendance and graduation rates across the district.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Services Coordinator
Butler County Board of Education
10.2022 - Current
- Lead districtwide initiatives to improve student attendance and graduation rates, coordinating targeted interventions, mentoring programs, and family supports.
- Partner with principals, counselors, and teachers to implement strategies that raise academic achievement and standardized test scores.
- Serve as District Peer Helper Coordinator, providing training, resources, and oversight to school sponsors; promote student leadership, SEL, and bullying prevention.
- Act as Backup District Test Coordinator, supporting the planning, compliance, and secure administration of all state and district assessments.
- Contribute to the District Safety Committee, helping shape policies, conduct safety audits, and develop emergency preparedness plans.
- Coordinate wraparound services by linking students and families with counseling, healthcare, social services, and community resources.
- Build and sustain community partnerships to expand mental health and wellness supports for students across the district.
- Advocate for trauma-informed practices and the integration of mental health supports into academic programming to strengthen whole-child development.
Special Services Teacher
Butler County Board of Education
09.2008 - 10.2022
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Guided students through college application process, increasing number of students accepted into their first-choice institutions.
Special Education Teacher
Redondo Unified School District
08.2003 - 04.2005
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Special Education Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District
08.2002 - 06.2003
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Coordinate with specialists—speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, counselors—and participate in IEP and other collaborative meetings.
- Maintain open and ongoing communication with parents / guardians—providing progress updates, discussing challenges, and collaborating on strategies for home support
Special Education Teacher
Butler County Board Of Education
08.1994 - 10.2001
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
Chapter 1 Reading Teacher
Butler County Board of Education
08.1992 - 05.1993
- Created positive and engaging environment in classroom that encouraged literacy skills.
- Boosted student fluency rates by utilizing effective instructional strategies during small group instruction.
- Supported struggling readers through individualized interventions and progress monitoring, leading to improved reading levels.
- Contributed to school-wide literacy initiatives by participating in committees focused on curriculum development, assessment practices, and teacher training programs.
- Increased student motivation by incorporating diverse texts and engaging activities in lesson plans.
- Contacted parents to discuss student progress and notify about class issues.
- Promoted love of reading and literacy to all students.
- Enhanced student engagement by integrating interactive reading activities into curriculum.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Troy University
Troy, AL07-1994
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Social Science
Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL05-1992
Skills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Lesson planning
- Motivating students
- Student engagement
- Behavior management
- Parent-teacher communication
- Positive role model and mentor
- Public speaking
- Classroom instruction
- Conflict resolution
- Differentiated instruction
- Collaborative learning
- Innovative lesson planning
- Social-emotional learning training
- Student rapport
- Community involvement
- Alternative learning methods
- Student records management
- Special needs students
- Instructional methods
Certification
- Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
- Certified American Lung Association Cessation facilitator
Timeline
Mental Health Services Coordinator
Butler County Board of Education
10.2022 - Current
Special Services Teacher
Butler County Board of Education
09.2008 - 10.2022
Special Education Teacher
Redondo Unified School District
08.2003 - 04.2005
Special Education Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District
08.2002 - 06.2003
Special Education Teacher
Butler County Board Of Education
08.1994 - 10.2001
Chapter 1 Reading Teacher
Butler County Board of Education
08.1992 - 05.1993
Master of Science - Special Education
Troy University
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Social Science
Auburn University At Montgomery
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