Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Royce Lawson-Woods

Decatur,GA

Summary

With over 20 years of experience as a School Counselor and educator, I specialize in supporting student growth in three core areas: academic achievement, social/emotional development, and career readiness. As a current School Counselor, I am deeply committed to advocating for all students, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive. I look forward to continuing this work with DeKalb County students, helping them become successful, lifelong learners and meaningful contributors to their communities.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

School Counselor-Serving Grades 6th-8th

Cousins Middle School
08.2006 - Current

Student Support

  • Attendance Team Leader including implementing school-wide attendance interventions and incentive program obtaining 5% attendance improvement (Sept.2024-March 2025).
  • Develop and teach lessons focused on personal/social relationships, academic success, and Georgia Bridge Law for college and career exploration including Individual Graduation plans and Dual Enrollment.
  • Utilize Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program (ie. Rethinked) to help students build self-awareness, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making.
  • Provide individual counseling and crisis counseling including referring students for appropriate mental health services.
  • Facilitate small group counseling on truancy prevention, behavior awareness/decision making, academic success, and conflict mediation including self reflection and resolution.


School Building Support

  • Leadership Team for Continuous School Improvement (CSI) including creating and developing School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Short Term Action Plan (STAP).
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) coordinator ensuring lesson implementation and teacher training.
  • Collaborated and coordinated meetings/trainings regarding student behavior focusing on self-reflection and accountability, academic success including standardized testing, attendance practices/interventions, and transition for success (middle to high school and elementary to middle school).
  • Section 504 Building Leader including scheduling meetings, providing student accommodations, and ensuring teachers receive training.
  • Coordinate and collaborate School Wide College and Career Week

Teacher- Middle Grades

Dekalb County Schools
08.2001 - 08.2006
  • Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards to enhance student learning experiences.
  • Implemented innovative teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
  • Assessed student performance through various evaluation methods, providing targeted feedback for improvement.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects that promote holistic education and teamwork.

Education

Ed. S. - School Counseling

Argosy University
Sarasota, FL

Master of Arts - School Counseling

University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

Bachelor of Science - Middle Grades Education

Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

Skills

  • Individual and family support
  • Coping strategies
  • Student advocacy
  • Mediation and crisis intervention
  • Individual/group counseling

Accomplishments

  • Contributed to the creation of district wide suicide protocol for Newton County Schools
  • Led a school wide attendance initiative resulting in a 5% decrease in unexcused absences (Sept 2024–Mar 2025)
  • Contributed to the creation of a Middle School Programming Guide for Newton County Schools
  • Reduced student behavior referrals by implementing targeted Social Emotional Learning program
  • Achieved a reduction in bullying incidents through student participation in No Place for Hate campaign.

Timeline

School Counselor-Serving Grades 6th-8th

Cousins Middle School
08.2006 - Current

Teacher- Middle Grades

Dekalb County Schools
08.2001 - 08.2006

Ed. S. - School Counseling

Argosy University

Master of Arts - School Counseling

University of West Alabama

Bachelor of Science - Middle Grades Education

Brenau University
Royce Lawson-Woods