Michelle Cvitanich
Portland,OR
Summary
Dynamic Prevention Specialist with a proven track record at Oregon City Schools District, excelling in program management and community outreach. Expert in curriculum development and mental health advocacy, I successfully led substance use prevention initiatives, enhancing student engagement and promoting wellness through effective communication and collaboration.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Prevention Specialist
Oregon City Schools District
Oregon City , OR
12.2025 - Current
- Provided evidence-based prevention and early intervention services to students in Oregon City School District.
Led assessment, planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of substance use prevention initiatives.
Coordinated activities with community agencies and organizations to enhance program effectiveness.
Collaborated with school counselors, social workers, and wellness teams to address student needs.
Facilitated training and support for staff involved in mental health and education programs.
Managed time between central location and multiple school sites to ensure service accessibility.
Portland Public Schools
Portland, OR
03.2019 - Current
- Advise and facilitate Youth Action Council meetings weekly.
- Assist students in running meetings, identifying areas of concern in our school community and keeping minutes.
- Assist in collaborating with community partners in the student identified public health campaign.
- Youth Action Council
Health Lead
Portland Public Schools
Portland, OR
04.2018 - Current
- Co-created Opt-Out Replacement curriculum, including online hybridization, currently being implemented in 9 cities across the USA.
- Spearheaded the adaptation of curriculum for the LGBTQ+ friendly and trauma-informed classroom for district-wide use.
- Contributed to curriculum adaptations committees for Sex Ed and IDD, curriculum for Violence Prevention.
- Responsible for site management of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey at Benson High School in 2019 and 2021.
- Schools Advancing Youth Wellness Grant Program
Classroom Teacher and Health Department Lead
Benson High School
Portland, OR
08.2014 - Current
- Plan, instruct and assess skills relevant to Health, Physical Education, Mindfulness, Healthy Transitions, and Yoga courses.
- Direct all Health and PE department meetings.
- Successfully monitor 300+ students' progress and learning.
- Innovate fun and safe learning opportunities in the online and in-person community for all students.
- Facilitate communication in the community with parents, family and outside resources both face-to-face and virtually.
Associate Board Member
One Tail at a Time PDX
Portland, OR
06.2016 - 11.2021
- Meet monthly with board members to review strategic plan, manage events and oversee operations of local dog rescue.
- Staff fundraising and outreach events to increase community involvement and raise money for the non-profit.
Fitness Instructor
POINT Gym and Kitchen
Portland, OR
09.2018 - 09.2021
- Teach fitness classes to adult clients.
- Manage client injuries, capabilities and progress.
Education Assistant
Oregon State University Extension
Portland, OR
06.2013 - 08.2014
- Manage program delivery between multiple sites and effectively communicate and collaborate with community partners.
- Plan, prepare for, and implement nutrition education focusing on cooking skills and terms, healthy food choices on a budget, food safety, following USDA Dietary Guidelines, gardening, and sharing meal time with others to food stamp eligible youth and their families.
- Develop daily, monthly, and yearly plans of work and teaching schedules.
- Keep accurate records and complete reports, evaluations, and time and effort documentation forms in a timely manner.
- Assist in the creation of social marketing tools such as recipe books, tri-folds, handouts, and bulletin boards.
Education
Master of Arts - Health Studies, public health and health promotion
University of Alabama
PORTLAND, OR12.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Health and Fitness Education, health promotion and prevention
Western Washington University
BELLINGHAM, WA03.2010
Skills
- Wellness education
- Public health
- Mental health management
- Physical health improvement
- Diversity
- Equity
- Inclusion
- Curriculum development
- Program management
- Cross training
- Mentorship
- Prevention program design
- Data analysis
- Community outreach
- Public health advocacy
- Student engagement strategies
- Health education delivery
- Wellness program coordination
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Substance abuse prevention
- Health education
- Suicide prevention
- Harm reduction strategies
- Youth engagement
- Mental health awareness
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Self-care promotion
Certification
- Counseling Skills for Educators training course
- Trauma Informed Teaching
- Mindfulness for Educators
- Suicide Prevention Certification
- Rights, Respect and Responsibility: A K-12 Sexual Education Curriculum
- Youth Sexual Health Equity Program: Sexual Health Educator Training
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certified
- First Aid CPR certified
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Prevention Specialist
Oregon City Schools District
12.2025 - Current
Portland Public Schools
03.2019 - Current
Fitness Instructor
POINT Gym and Kitchen
09.2018 - 09.2021
Health Lead
Portland Public Schools
04.2018 - Current
Associate Board Member
One Tail at a Time PDX
06.2016 - 11.2021
Classroom Teacher and Health Department Lead
Benson High School
08.2014 - Current
Education Assistant
Oregon State University Extension
06.2013 - 08.2014
Master of Arts - Health Studies, public health and health promotion
University of Alabama
Bachelor of Arts - Health and Fitness Education, health promotion and prevention
Western Washington University