Shannon Kershaw
Englewood,CO
Summary
Student-focused, compassionate and poised School Counselor with over 20 years experience providing support to students regarding academic achievement and social/emotional health. Strong background in crisis intervention and building rapport with students. Partners closely with administrators, teachers and families to facilitate student success. Strong work ethic and exceptional interpersonal skills. Deep believer in Restorative Justice, the effectiveness of mediation and conflict resolution and the power of empathy.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
High School Counselor
Heritage High School
08.2022 - Current
- Deliver high-quality services to students needing academic and emotional support.
- Develop strong rapport with parents, maintaining open lines of communication to address student needs collaboratively.
- Partner with teachers to identify at-risk students and develop targeted interventions for improved academic outcomes.
- Collaborate with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Advocate for student needs in disciplinary matters, promoting restorative justice practices that foster accountability and personal growth.
- Serve as a liaison between school administration, teachers, parents, and community resources in addressing multifaceted student needs effectively.
- Support students through challenging developmental milestones and crisis situations and coordinated outside service referrals for those needing extra assistance.
- Develop and maintain courteous and effective working relationships.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- LPS District Crisis Team
- School Assessment Coordinator
- Building Intervention Team
- Signs of Suicide presenter
- All Health Liaison
- NACAC College Fair Committee
Testing/504 Coordinator
Alta High School
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Coordinate the 504 referral, eligibility and implementation process for students with physical, academic and/or emotional impairments; communicate with staff regarding students’ needs and accommodations; adhere to federal Section 504 regulations; maintain compliance of all plans; meet with 504 stakeholders
- Plan and organize state and national testing for campus of 2300 students; train staff on testing roles and responsibilities
- Facilitate Student Grief Support group experiencing family loss
- Teach Grief Support and Anger Management classes within the Canyons Family Center
- Provide individual counseling session to referred students, grades K-12, within the Canyons Family Center
High School Counselor
Arapahoe High School
08.2014 - 05.2019
- Manage counseling caseload of approximately 380 students
- Supervise counseling interns/Mentor new AHS counselors
- Coordinate Foreign Exchange program
- Facilitate Student Grief Support Group for students experiencing family loss
- LPS District Crisis Team
- Student Council Co-Sponsor
- Organize and lead three student international study abroad experiences to Costa Rica and Spain
High School Counselor
Highlands Ranch And Ponderosa High Schools
08.2006 - 05.2014
- Counseling Department Chair, Ponderosa High School, 2007 – 2011
- Facilitate Student Grief Support Group for students experiencing family loss
- Co-Lead, District Crisis Team
- District Consistency Committee to establish standard practices across campuses
- Co-Sponsor for Link Crew and Sources of Strength
Elementary School Counselor
Kilpatrick And Williams Elementary Schools
08.2003 - 05.2006
- Develop, implement and facilitate school-wide character education program
- Provide individual counseling for students as needed; meet weekly with students with severe needs; teach classroom guidance lessons in all grades, K-5
- Facilitate support groups for self-esteem, anger management, children of divorce, and for Hurricane Katrina refugees
- Supervise mentoring programs
Elementary School Teacher, 4th Grade
North Shore Elementary
08.1996 - 05.2001
- Implemented engaging hands-on activities to reinforce fundamental concepts, resulting in increased student motivation and participation.
- Established a positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
Education
Masters of Education - Educational Psychology
University of Houston
Houston, TX08.2003
Bachelor of Science - Applied Learning And Development
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05.1996
Skills
- Relationship Building
- Student Support and Advocacy
- Individual Student Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Administration Collaboration
- Strong Communicator
- Crisis Intervention
- Conflict Mediation
- Calm Under Pressure
- Active Listening
- Professional Demeanor
- Organizational Skills
Hobbies
- Practicing and teaching yoga
- Traveling
- Keeping up with my two rescue dogs
- Marveling at my nephew
- Reading
- Online education, learning and facilitating
Timeline
High School Counselor
Heritage High School
08.2022 - Current
Testing/504 Coordinator
Alta High School
08.2019 - 05.2022
High School Counselor
Arapahoe High School
08.2014 - 05.2019
High School Counselor
Highlands Ranch And Ponderosa High Schools
08.2006 - 05.2014
Elementary School Counselor
Kilpatrick And Williams Elementary Schools
08.2003 - 05.2006
Elementary School Teacher, 4th Grade
North Shore Elementary
08.1996 - 05.2001
Masters of Education - Educational Psychology
University of Houston
Bachelor of Science - Applied Learning And Development
University of Texas At Austin
Similar Profiles
Karla GarciaKarla Garcia
Student Worker, Child Psychology at Heritage High SchoolStudent Worker, Child Psychology at Heritage High School
Diana ZavalaDiana Zavala
School Counseling Intern at Heritage High SchoolSchool Counseling Intern at Heritage High School
Rhea GrantRhea Grant
Teacher's Assistant at Heritage High SchoolTeacher's Assistant at Heritage High School