Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Key Qualifications
Timeline
Generic

Nakia Thornton

McCalla,AL

Summary

With 23 years of dedicated experience in the education sector, Innovative and seasoned professional with a comprehensive background in collaborative teaching, school and career counseling. Trusted advisor goes extra mile to help students succeed and marked by a passion for fostering student development, academic achievement, and career readiness. Focused school counselor that guided students successfully and implemented innovative counseling programs, facilitated seamless transitions for students across educational stages, and developed robust career and technical education pathways. Determined school counselor with expertise that encompasses individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, program development, and stakeholder collaboration. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with proven track record of empowering students to realize their full potential while navigating academic and career challenges. As an effective communicator and compassionate advocate, I have consistently built strong relationships with students, parents, educators, and community partners. Commitment to professional growth and ethical practice has enabled me to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of educational counseling.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

9th Grade School Counselor

Bessemer City High School
08.2023 - Current
  • Student Support: Provide individual and group counseling to 223 students to support their academic, personal, and social development. Assist students in overcoming challenges of transitioning to high school and navigating their first year effectively.
  • Academic Planning: Developed and conducted Freshman Orientation to educate students and to help understand high school graduation requirements, select appropriate courses, and develop four-year academic plans. Monitor academic progress and intervene as necessary to ensure students are on track for graduation.
  • Career and College Readiness: Increased awareness of career exploration resources and tools. Begin discussions about post-secondary options, including college and vocational training, to help students start planning for their futures. Collaborate closely with BCS Career Coach to ensure each student has comprehensive four-year plan that aligns with their career aspirations.
  • Transition Collaboration: Collaborate with middle school counselors to ensure smooth transition for students entering high school. Implement strategies and programs that address common transition challenges and support students' adjustment to high school life.
  • Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Work closely with parents and teachers to provide support system for students. Communicate regularly with parents about their child's progress and involve them in the counseling process.
  • Crisis Intervention: Be available to students for crisis intervention, providing immediate support and referrals to additional resources when needed.
  • Program Development and Implementation: Develop and implement programs and workshops that address needs of ninth-grade students, such as study skills workshops, anti-bullying campaigns, and stress management techniques using implementation of Peer Helpers .

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Counselor

Bessemer Center For Technology
03.2022 - 08.2023
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive CTE counseling program tailored to needs of high school students, focusing on career exploration, skill development, and post-secondary planning.
  • Launched CTE Program Management Series for Professional Development, providing educators, school counselors, and staff with digital file suite designed to enhance implementation and management of CTE series. This initiative improved program delivery and educator engagement in CTE pathways.
  • Facilitated partnerships with local businesses and technical institutions to provide students with work-based learning opportunities, such as internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing.
  • Advised students on selecting CTE pathways aligned with their interests and career goals, leading to 20% increase in enrollment in CTE programs.
  • Conducted workshops on resume writing, job interview techniques, and workplace etiquette to enhance students' employability skills.
  • Collaborated with teachers and administrators to integrate career readiness into academic curriculum, improving students' understanding of relevance of their education to future careers.
  • Utilized data-driven approaches to track students' progress, evaluate program effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement.

High School Counselor

Bessemer City High School
07.2017 - 03.2022
  • Academic Support: Assisting approximately 250 students in developing their academic schedule, ensuring it aligns with their career goals, and providing support or interventions for students struggling academically.
  • Provided comprehensive support and guidance to high school students with focus on academic achievement, career planning, and personal development to ensure graduation readiness
  • Developed and implemented individualized educational plans and interventions to address students' academic needs, monitor progress towards graduation requirements, and facilitate post-secondary planning.
  • Utilized data-driven approaches to identify at-risk students, implementing targeted strategies to improve retention and graduation rates.
  • Social and emotional support: Offering counseling to students dealing with personal issues, social conflicts, or mental health challenges. This can involve individual or group counseling sessions.
  • Crisis intervention: Responding to students in crisis situations, which can include issues related to mental health, abuse, or bullying, and providing immediate support or referrals to other professionals.
  • Coordination with staff and parents: Working closely with teachers, administrators, and parents to support students' educational goals and well-being. This might involve coordinating interventions or support plans for students facing academic or personal challenges.

Middle School Counselor

Bessemer City Middle School
08.2015 - 06.2017
  • Identified approximately 300 students' social, emotional, and academic needs, and provided compassionate assistance, guidance, and interventions.
  • Supported students through unique challenges presented by their developmental stage.
  • Created proactive programming to engage students in leadership and advocacy. Project involved collaboration with multiple stakeholders in school community.
  • Coordinated tutoring programs to provide additional academic assistance to struggling students outside of classroom setting.
  • Reduced instances of bullying by implementing school-wide anti-bullying programs and fostering culture of respect.
  • Organized workshops on topics such as stress management, conflict resolution, and goal-setting for both students and staff members.
  • Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and parents for development of individualized student support plans.
  • Coordinated and executed development of comprehensive middle school schedules.

Collaborative Teacher

Bessemer City Middle School
06.2001 - 07.2015
  • Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering parental involvement in students'' education.
  • Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
  • Improved classroom management techniques, leading to more focused and productive learning environment.
  • Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
  • Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Developed Individual Education Plans for approximately 30 or more students with special needs.

Education

Master of Education - School Counseling

University of Montevallo
Montevallo, Alabama
01.2014

Master of Education - Collaborative Teaching (6-12)

Alabama Agricultural And Mechanical College
Huntsville, Alabama
01.2006

Bachelor of Science - Special Education (P-12)

Alabama Agricultural And Mechanical College
Huntsville, Alabama
01.2001

Skills

Interpersonal Skills:

  • Empathy and Compassion: Ability to understand and share feelings of others, crucial for building trust with students

Academic and Career Guidance:

  • Knowledge of Academic Requirements: Understanding of high school graduation requirements and post-secondary options
  • Career Counseling: Expertise in guiding students through career exploration and planning, including knowledge of CTE pathways and labor market
  • College Readiness: Ability to prepare students for college admission processes, including understanding of application procedures, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities

Technical Skills:

  • Data Analysis: Ability to use data to identify student needs, track progress, and measure program effectiveness
  • Familiarity with Educational Technologies: Proficiency with student information systems, career assessment tools, and digital resources for college and career planning

Program Development and Management

  • Curriculum Development: Skills in developing and implementing programs and workshops for students, parents, and staff
  • Project Management: Ability to oversee multiple projects, such as career fairs, college visits, and CTE events, efficiently
  • Collaboration and Advocacy

Crisis Intervention

  • Conflict Resolution: Ability to mediate conflicts and provide solutions in challenging situations
  • Crisis Management: Skills in responding to student emergencies and providing immediate support and referrals

Professional Development

  • **Lifelong Learning:**⬤

Accomplishments

    Accomplishments:

  • 2023 Career Exploration Initiatives; Enhanced CTE Student Engagement with the Academy of Craft Training; Increased Community Partnerships; CTE College Admission Success by Implementing First Dual Enrollment Program in Building Construction; Increased CCR with CTE Completer Status and Credentialing and implemented first BCT Award Day Program with over 300 students receiving CTE Completer Status and Credentials
  • 2022 Increased College and Career Readiness Data
  • 2021 Completion of Google Certification
  • 2020 Certified as a Career Services Provider or a Global Career Development Facilitator
  • 2014 Certified School Counselor for CACREP Counseling Program
  • 2008 Teacher of the Year Bessemer City Schools
  • 2008 Secondary Teacher of the Year Bessemer City Schools

Affiliations

  • American Counseling Association
  • Alabama Education Association
  • The National Career Development Association
  • Alabama Counseling Association

Key Qualifications

  • ACIP Team/School Leadership Team
  • Testing Coordinator
  • Section 504 Coordinator/Special Education Department Chair
  • Demonstrated organization and leadership skills, serving as new counseling mentor, Curriculum Team Member, School's Mission Statement Facilitator, Cheer Sponsor
  • Designed and conducted various faculty and student workshops for training in testing and Special Education updates
  • Coordinated school wide Positive Behavior and Support (PBS) Plan
  • Mentor fellow educators on classroom management and lesson planning

Timeline

9th Grade School Counselor

Bessemer City High School
08.2023 - Current

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Counselor

Bessemer Center For Technology
03.2022 - 08.2023

High School Counselor

Bessemer City High School
07.2017 - 03.2022

Middle School Counselor

Bessemer City Middle School
08.2015 - 06.2017

Collaborative Teacher

Bessemer City Middle School
06.2001 - 07.2015

Master of Education - School Counseling

University of Montevallo

Master of Education - Collaborative Teaching (6-12)

Alabama Agricultural And Mechanical College

Bachelor of Science - Special Education (P-12)

Alabama Agricultural And Mechanical College

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Nakia Thornton