Stefania Vaccaro
Clearwater,FL
Summary
Stefania Vaccaro is an established successful woman with great integrity and cultivated wisdom from being a mother, educator, artist of diversity and mental health professional/psychotherapist - respectively. Additional qualities and an abundance of impeccable skills have been obtained over the past twenty-five years from a plethora of working fields; wearing many hats across a vast spectrum of varying job titles and descriptions.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
Breaking Free Services
Tarpon Springs, FL
08.2023 - Current
- Improving patient mental health by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions.
- Enhancing group therapy sessions by incorporating creative modalities such as art therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness practices.
- Promoting positive coping strategies among patients by teaching stress management techniques and self-care practices.
- Establishing strong rapport with patients by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural sensitivity.
- Facilitating family therapy sessions to support communication, boundary setting, and healthy relationships among family members affected by mental health issues.
- Implementing behavioral modification techniques for patients struggling with unhealthy patterns of behavior or thought processes contributing to their mental health challenges.
- Creating a safe environment that fosters open communication, trust building and vulnerability among patients.
- Reducing patient symptoms of anxiety and depression with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and mindfulness exercises.
- Documenting patient progress in confidential files.
- Managing patients with substance dependence/addiction and co-occurring disorders.
- Consulting with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
Teacher
Solid Rock Community School
Tarpon Springs, FL
07.2022 - Current
- Developing strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Increasing student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
- Enhancing classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Identifying struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Differentiating instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Integrating cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Managing classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Supporting students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Working cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Supporting student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Incorporating exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Conducting evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement.
- Advising and counseling students to help them develop skills and knowledge required to succeed.
- Creating and developing lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Preparing quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Fostering student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Coaching acting and vocals for performing arts workshop elective and theater club.
- Teaching positive psychology as an elective.
Recovery Coach
Lonewolf Recovery
Clearwater, FL
10.2021 - Current
- Improving client recovery rates by developing personalized coaching plans tailored to individual needs.
- Enhancing client engagement in recovery programs by providing compassionate support and guidance.
- Collaborating with treatment teams to develop comprehensive care plans, ensuring a holistic approach to client recovery.
- Increasing clients'' self-awareness by conducting regular assessments and facilitating reflective exercises.
- Empowering clients to set and achieve realistic goals through guided goal-setting sessions and progress monitoring.
- Developing a goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
Paraeducator, Special Education
New York City Department Of Education
Staten Island, NY
09.2014 - 10.2022
- Enhanced student learning by providing individualized support and accommodations for special education students.
- Improved classroom management by implementing behavior modification strategies and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assisted teachers in adapting lesson plans and materials, ensuring accessibility for all students.
- Supported students'' social-emotional development through one-on-one counseling sessions and group activities.
- Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and school staff, fostering strong relationships to support student success.
- Conducted assessments to monitor progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance, attendance, and progress towards IEP goals.
- Provided a safe and inclusive learning environment that accommodated diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Cotaught lessons with general education teachers, integrating modifications for special education students seamlessly into the curriculum.
- Promoted self-advocacy skills by teaching students how to express their needs effectively within the classroom setting.
- Developed accessible visual aids for complex concepts, improving comprehension for diverse learners in the classroom setting.
- Assisted in planning field trips and extracurricular activities that catered to the unique interests of special education students.
- Reported on student progress, behavior, and social skills to parents.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
Teacher
Huntington Learning Center
Staten Island, NY
12.2019 - 06.2022
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Increased student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY Empire State College
Staten Island, NY07.2020
Associate of Arts - Human Development
SUNY Empire State College
Staten Island, NY06.2018
High School Diploma -
Susan E. Wagner High School
Staten Island, NY06.2001
Skills
- Time Management
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Emotional Intelligence
- Goal Orientation
- High School Education Teacher
- Academic and Creative Writing
- Public Speaking
- Art
- Mental Health Professional
- Performing Arts Director
Certification
CACCF Nationally Certified Recovery Coach
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
Breaking Free Services
08.2023 - Current
Teacher
Solid Rock Community School
07.2022 - Current
Recovery Coach
Lonewolf Recovery
10.2021 - Current
Teacher
Huntington Learning Center
12.2019 - 06.2022
Paraeducator, Special Education
New York City Department Of Education
09.2014 - 10.2022
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY Empire State College
Associate of Arts - Human Development
SUNY Empire State College
High School Diploma -
Susan E. Wagner High School