Stephanie Drayton
LPSC 708-951-0777
Hammond,IN
Summary
Passionate about guiding all students towards post-secondary success through academic and social/emotional counseling initiatives. Committed to fostering a clear pathway for every student to achieve their full potential, preparing them for success in higher education, work and life. Dedicated to providing college and career readiness support to empower individuals to excel in their chosen fields. Seeking a professional position to utilize skills for a positive impact on students' educational and personal growth.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LPSC
Hazel Crest School District 152.5
03.2024 - 05.2025
- Barack Obama and Jesse White Learning Academies
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with scholars ,teachers, parents/guardians and staff to address student needs guiding the intervention process and referred students to appropriate outside agencies for additional support if needed.
- Managed, analyzed, and utilized attendance data in PowerSchool to identify trends and support student engagement initiatives.
- Provided ISBE-aligned classroom lessons, along with academic and social-emotional counseling to a diverse PreK–8 student population.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships to lan and coordinate student workshops, partnering with and scheduling outside vendors to deliver presentations on ISBE-mandated school-wide topics.
- Facilitated ISS using restorative justice approaches to promote reflection and behavior improvement; contributed to school-wide initiatives as a member of Climate & Culture, PBIS/CHAMPS, and Attendance Committees.
- Guided students in setting academic, behavioral, and attendance goals through individualized support and proactive decision-making strategies.
- Collaborated with administrators, parents, and students to support smooth transitions to alternative placements.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications while working effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility using critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Interim School Counselor
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Facilitated individual student counseling sessions to support social, emotional and academic development focusing on attendance, behavioral concerns, graduation requirements, career counseling and all other post-secondary options for the purpose of goal setting for diverse populations of students grades 9-12.
- Analyzed achievement, attendance, and behavior data to identify at-risk students and develop targeted intervention strategies.
- Delivered classroom guidance lessons on topics such as college admissions, financial aid, career exploration, mental health awareness and conflict resolution
- Collaborated in IEP and 504 meetings to develop and revise individualized plans; ensured compliance through ongoing service monitoring and adjustments to meet student needs.
- Worked in collaboration with school administrators and staff interdisciplinary teams (SST/MTSS)
- Attended and conducted student, parent and teacher conferences.
- Wrote Letters of Recommendation and Jeopardy letters for at-risk students; completed Common Application requests and submitted graduation information for potential graduates.
Attendance Counselor
Thornton Township High School
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Led initiatives to enhance campus-wide Culture of Attendance communication with families regarding attendance concerns, resulting in increased student accountability and improved attendance rates.
- Prevented potential dropouts through early identification efforts targeting vulnerable populations experiencing high absence rates or other risk factors.
- Promoted positive relationships between the Attendance Office and community partners through active collaboration in support of shared goals.
- Improved student attendance rates by implementing effective intervention strategies and working closely with parents and school staff.
- Enhanced communication between school and home by conducting regular parent meetings, phone calls, and email correspondence regarding student attendance issues.
- Facilitated workshops for faculty and staff on best practices for addressing student attendance concerns effectively.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of implemented intervention strategies through continuous monitoring and data analysis, adjusting plans as needed for optimal results.
- Helped schools meet district and federal attendance goals by providing ongoing support, resources, and recommendations to address chronic absenteeism.
- Championed a school-wide culture of regular attendance by celebrating student successes and promoting consistent messaging around the importance of being present.
- Reduced truancy cases by collaborating with teachers to address specific attendance concerns and develop targeted support plans.
- Enforced school and district policies regarding attendance.
- Prepared computer reports on student statistics and attendance records.
- Prepared and analyzed attendance data and ADA reports, providing administrators with actionable insights to share with staff, students, and families to promote accountability.
- Facilitated Junior Achievement virtual guest speaker sessions focused on career exploration and critical skills such as effective time management.
- Conducted individual and small group counseling sessions focused on behavior, academic concerns, using cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce social isolation and foster positive peer relationships.
- Assisted students in developing new habits and behaviors to improve daily attendance and punctuality; supported mindset shifts that reinforced the value of achieving short- and long-term academic goals.
LPSC
Hammond Central High School
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Hired as Early College Counselor
- Utilized dual credit partnerships with Vincennes University and Ivy Tech to schedule greater rigor; honors, AP and DC courses, that supported students’ high school graduation plans and post-secondary career goals.
- Supported scholars in developing academic, social and emotional competencies through individual and group counseling and college/career readiness initiatives, ensuring a clear and achievable path to post-secondary success.
- Created and expanded awareness about community colleges, universities, trade schools, career and military options.
- Conducted ongoing data reviews to support general education, IEP, and ENL interventions by identifying student needs, challenges, and areas requiring targeted support.
- Collaborated with students to establish meaningful short- and long-term goals aimed at overcoming obstacles and promoting academic and personal growth.
- Provide crisis response services, including suicide risk assessments, threat assessments, and referrals to community mental health providers.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Lead Counselor, LPSC
East Chicago Central High School
12.2012 - 06.2021
- Utilized needs assessments and data reviews to identify critical areas for intervention and deliver tailored services that support student achievement and well-being.
- Provided academic advising, attendance monitoring, and behavior management support through collaboration with administrators, teachers, families, and community stakeholders to implement effective interventions that promoted student success.
- Served as IEP and ESL liaison, facilitating parent-teacher consultations to address students’ academic, career, and social-emotional needs.
- Active member of the Student Support Team (SST) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at both the school and district levels.
- Contributed to master schedule planning as a member of the scheduling team, ensuring course alignment with student needs and staff capacity.
- Served as Dual Credit (DC) Coordinator in partnership with Purdue University Northwest (PNW); scheduled students for Concurrent Enrollment Program courses, supported application completion, and verified enrollment and credit with university staff.
- Delivered classroom guidance lessons and coordinated grade-level team building activities, to support student engagement and post-secondary planning.
- Coordinated Parent/Student FAFSA events to assist families with financial aid completion and promote college affordability.
- Guided seniors through the college application process and conducted senior exit interviews to collect and report post-secondary outcome data.
- Served as the primary point of contact for NCAA and NAIA eligibility, assisting student-athletes with compliance and documentation; also served as the McKinney-Vento Liaison providing support and resources to homeless and highly mobile students to ensure educational access and stability.
- Led counseling sessions, providing guidance and support to individuals facing all other personal challenges.
Graduate Assistant/Lead Student Worker
Purdue University
08.2004 - 08.2012
- Assisted in research projects by collecting and analyzing data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- Coordinated logistics for academic events, enhancing engagement through effective communication and planning.
- Developed training materials for new student workers, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
- Streamlined administrative processes, improving efficiency in documentation and record-keeping systems.
- Office of Disability Resources 2009-2012: Served as a liaison between faculty members and students for addressing concerns or issues related to coursework or academic policies to better counsel students and update academic records.
- Upward Bound & Educational Talent Search 2009-2012: Financial Literacy instructor mentoring elementary/middle school aged students providing guidance on academic success strategies in preparation for high school.
- Educational Opportunity Programs 2007-2010: Academic Sports Monitor providing guidance to Men's Basketball team on academic success strategies and career planning causing all student/athletes the ability to become academically eligible in the first semester since the inception inception of this position of which I was recommended.
- Department of Teacher Preparation 2006-2009: Facilitated collaboration between faculty and students to advance academic goals. Addressed student and professors' concerns contributing to informed decision making processes.
- McNair Achievement Program 2006-2007: Coordinated logistics for Summer Research Internship Forum Series and Seminars to enhance engagement and learning outcomes. Maintained confidential student records and progress report forms.
- School of Education 2004-2008: T.A.; Administered coursework, posted online exams, graded assignments, and provided constructive feedback while tutoring students by expanding student review and discussion. Collaborated with faculty member on research projects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective field. Assisted in course development of professor's Freshman Experience course by researching academic resources and materials on student retention rates.
- Dean of Student's Office 2004-2005: Administrative tasks pertaining to behavior policies.
Education
Post-Degree Certificate - Principal Licensure Program
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN01.2017
Master of Science - School Counseling
Purdue University
Hammond, INMaster of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Purdue University
Hammond, INBachelor of Arts - English/Literature
Purdue University
Hammond, INSkills
- Advocate for all students
- Attention to detail
- Data driven
- Dependable and responsible
- Empathetic
- Proactive Problem Solving/Task Completion
- SEL Proficient
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SMS Systems: PowerSchool, Skyward, STI
- LMS Systems: Canvas, Google Classroom, Info Dynamics
Accomplishments
- Lead Counselor: supervised team of six School Counselors, two interns, and four secretarial staff.
- Graduated thousands of students.
- Collaborated with Administrators, Deans, Psychologist, Counselors, Nurses, Social Workers, ELL, IEP and other discipline area Teachers in the development of MTSS and Student Support teams.
- Collaborated with team who created a district-wide SEL curriculum for daily teacher use; elementary through high school.
- Collaborated with team to create and use Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Certification
- Above and Beyond Award recognized as the only School Counselor in the Northwest Indiana Region by the Department of Education and the State of Indiana
- Distinguished Teacher's Awards
- PEL: School Counselor [Illinois & Indiana}
- Principals Licensure Certificate [Indiana Wesleyan University]
- On-going Professional Development
Affiliations
- ASCA; American School Counselors Association
- Chi Sigma Iota; International Honor Society for Professional Counselors
- ISCA; Illinois School Counselor Association
- ISCA; Indiana School Counselor Association
Timeline
LPSC
Hazel Crest School District 152.5
03.2024 - 05.2025
Interim School Counselor
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
09.2023 - 12.2023
Attendance Counselor
Thornton Township High School
07.2022 - 05.2023
LPSC
Hammond Central High School
07.2021 - 07.2022
Lead Counselor, LPSC
East Chicago Central High School
12.2012 - 06.2021
Graduate Assistant/Lead Student Worker
Purdue University
08.2004 - 08.2012
Post-Degree Certificate - Principal Licensure Program
Indiana Wesleyan University
Master of Science - School Counseling
Purdue University
Master of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Purdue University
Bachelor of Arts - English/Literature
Purdue University
SPECIALTIES
- Assisting students in Early College Initiatives [AP, DC and Honors]
- Financial Assistance
- Financial Literacy
- Scholarship Research
- Underrepresented Populations
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