Myra Scott
Milford,CT
Summary
Focused Rehabilitation & School Counselor with 5+ years of success supporting students on accomplishing academic and career goals. Skilled at counseling students and education professionals on topics of disability, diversity and inclusion by forging relationships to helping students navigate school life. Driven to support long-term goal achievement by linking students to outside resources that enhance students' education and career prospects.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Counselor
Unified School District #1 / CT Dept. of Correction
07.2023 - Current
- Provide academic advisement, individual counseling around disability impact on learning, IEP accommodations, higher/ continuing education and career options upon discharge
- Collaborate in the design of Transition Certificate Program for students with disabilities incarcerated in a high school correctional facility to improve postsecondary school outcomes
- Support teachers and administrators in school enrollment planning including course enrollment, report card distribution and meeting semester/ school year benchmarks.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting a comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Improved graduation rates by implementing targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Created an inclusive learning environment by advocating for accommodations for students with special needs or disabilities.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to identify areas of need within the school population, leading to targeted interventions and support services.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
School Counselor
Wallingford Adult Education
12.2022 - Current
- Provide academic guidance and counseling to students ages 17+ who enroll in the credit diploma program or face high school drop-out
- Administer CASAS reading and math standardized academic proficiency exam for program placement
- Provide credit analysis of high school transcripts for academic placement with standardized state CASAS test
- Document enrollment, graduation plan, demographics in state LACES system
- Progress monitor students and provide data of student progress for degree attainment
- Assist students with enrollment in higher education, career and job placement
- Provide consultation for students with disabilities facing dropout and advise on adult education alternatives for credit Diploma completion.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting a comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Improved graduation rates by implementing targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Increased awareness of post-secondary options by organizing college and career readiness workshops and events.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Advanced cultural competence among staff members by facilitating diversity training workshops on topics like unconscious bias recognition or cultural sensitivity.
Transition Specialist
Consolidated School District of New Britain
08.2021 - 06.2023
- District Liaison for postsecondary transition services, career placement and planning for students with disabilities and New Britain community partners
- Provided in-service training to special education teachers and related service providers about transition best practices, assessments, goal writing and disability awareness topics
- Provide direct instruction and career counseling for students with an IEP or 504 plan ages 13-22
- Assist students in determining their course of study, career pathway and academic supports through self-advocacy skill development
- Utilize evidence-based instructional strategies to teach students self-awareness, self-advocacy, decision making, employment skills and develop their self-determination and independence
- Connect students with federal, state and community resources to address barriers to education and employment.
- Established relationships with key industry partners, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced service offerings for clients undergoing transitions.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure cost-effective solutions for clients during their transitional periods.
Postsecondary Transition Coordinator
Ridgefield School District
01.2019 - 06.2020
- Subject matter expert on transition service coordination, ADA accommodations requirements, IDEA, WIOA and Rehab Act of 1973
- Coached students to build self- determination and self-advocacy skills to increase awareness of accommodations and access to IDEA and ADA supports, in college, workplace and their community
- Slashed student payroll budget by 30% by securing a federal Disability Employment initiative/DEI grant that subsidized student wages designed to provide specific worksite accommodations
- Served as a certified long-term substitute special education teacher for 18 students with disabilities in a community based 18-21 program
- Coordinated transition services with adult agency resources, school professionals, district planning teams to increase favorable outcomes for students.
- Enhanced the transition process by creating and implementing tailored action plans for each student.
- Coordinated with teachers, parents, and support staff to ensure smooth transitions for students between grades or schools including advocacy at student's IEP meetings.
- Improved communication among stakeholders by conducting regular meetings and providing timely updates on student progress, resulting in more effective intervention strategies.
- Collaborated with community partners to provide additional resources and support for transitioning students.
Education Service Specialist
Department of Aging and Disability Services/ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
05.2015 - 01.2019
- Served as the state lead to oversee implementation of WIOA/ Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act policy development and service delivery of pre-employment transition services for 170 school districts in Connecticut
- Trained and educated school staff, students and their families, vendors and key stakeholders of federal law mandates including Rehab Act of 1973, IDEA, ADA, WIOA and the favorable impact on post high school success of students with disabilities ages 14-24
- Launched Transition services unit with the public rehabilitation agency called Level Up along with 9 Level Up Counselors
- Promote Assistive technology best practices in Level Up Programming for students in schools and community
- Trained employers, Level Up counselors, school districts, approved private special education programs, students and families on how WIOA supports students transitioning into the competitive job market including assistive technology and self-advocacy
- Coordinated Disability Awareness Month events from 2015-2018 within CT community for youth with Disabilities and a partnership with 2 large school districts, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, TD Bank, Lockheade Martin and Department of Labor Disability Employment Initiative.
- Collaborated with fellow educators to develop interdisciplinary projects, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of key concepts across multiple subjects.
- Developed, coordinated and implemented programs that supported post-secondary academic and vocational needs of students that linked to meaningful career and economic stability.
- Communicated clearly across broad spectrum of professional and managerial levels and with other agencies and constituent groups.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/ Transition
State of CT/ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
03.2006 - 05.2015
- Case Manager for a public rehabilitation agency that serves adults and students with disabilities to prepare and provide accommodations in the workplace and college environment
- Conduct disability/eligibility determination through collection, review and interpretation of medical, educational and psychological documentation
- Provided case management and rehabilitation counseling to college students enrolled as matriculating students in local and out if state colleges providing information, access to disability services office, tuition assistance and service coordination
- Achieved 100% Summer youth employment worksite accommodation compliance with local Department of Labor office and community rehabilitation providers and providing accommodations when required
- Engineered specialized program models that leverage multiple state systems including supported employment case coordination and worksite accommodation provision and compliance
- Achieved top level systems change to embed research-based framework in case management platform statewide
- Provided career guidance and rehabilitation counseling services to disabled high school students and the adult population.
- Enhanced client self-sufficiency by developing personalized vocational rehabilitation plans.
- Conducted labor market research to better inform clients of potential career opportunities.
- Provided guidance on job-search strategies, resulting in successful employment for numerous clients.
- Liaised with employers to facilitate job placements, increasing successful employment outcomes for clients.
- Maintained thorough case documentation, ensuring accurate records and efficient service delivery.
- Led workshops on resume writing and interview skills, empowering clients to secure competitive positions.
- Advocated for reasonable accommodations, supporting clients in overcoming workplace barriers.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up meetings, adjusting plans as needed for optimal success.
- Coordinated with community resources to provide additional support services that complemented vocational goals.
- Implemented evidence-based practices in counseling sessions, fostering growth and positive change in clients'' lives.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Career Planning & Placement for Youth in Transition
University of Maryland
College Park, MDMSEd - Rehabilitation Counseling
Hunter College
New York, NYB.A. - Psychology
State University College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NYSkills
- Disability Accommodations
- Student Records Management
- Disability Law Compliance
- Disability Determination
- Caseload Management
- Academic & Career Advisement
- Diverse groups presentations
- Student Advocacy & Counseling
- Service Coordination
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Career Planning & Placement
- Career & Functional Needs Assessment
Certification
068 School Counselor Endorsement, 9987635685, C122023001249
Affiliations
- CT-Transition Community of Practice 2015-Present
- CT-Transition Task Force 2015-2019, 2023-Present
- Charting the Life Course Ambassador 2018-Present
Timeline
School Counselor
Unified School District #1 / CT Dept. of Correction
07.2023 - Current
School Counselor
Wallingford Adult Education
12.2022 - Current
Transition Specialist
Consolidated School District of New Britain
08.2021 - 06.2023
Postsecondary Transition Coordinator
Ridgefield School District
01.2019 - 06.2020
Education Service Specialist
Department of Aging and Disability Services/ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
05.2015 - 01.2019
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/ Transition
State of CT/ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
03.2006 - 05.2015
Graduate Certificate - Career Planning & Placement for Youth in Transition
University of Maryland
MSEd - Rehabilitation Counseling
Hunter College
B.A. - Psychology
State University College at Oneonta
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