Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Stephen P. Polk

Georgetown,TX

Summary

Accomplished counseling and social work district director for 84 staff with a strong record of innovative and proactive programs to meet the needs of 25,000 K-12 students facing the challenges of social, emotional, and personal growth.


Collaborative leader who partners with coworkers to promote an engaged and empowering work culture.


Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.


Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with a talents for team-building, leading and motivating, as well as relationship-building skills.


Adept at creating engaging curriculum and conducting motivating and entertaining presentations for groups of 5 to 300 professionals, educators, students, and parents.


• Member of College Board Forum Selection Committee 2023, 2024
• Presenter at the College Board Forum 2024, Austin Texas (topic: Inspiring Engagement: 10 Ways for Counselors to Renew Student Participation)
• Past Presenter Lone Star State School Counselor Association Fall 2023 (And Then What? A K-14 Approach to Life After High School for All Students)
• Past Presenter 2023 College Board Summer Institute (The Motivation Challenge: 10 Ways for Counselors to Support Student Success!)
• Past Presenter College Board Forum 2022, Orlando, Florida (Counseling the Counselor: 11 Ways to Stay Sane and be a More Effective Counselor)

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Counseling and Social Work Services

Pflugerville Independent School District
06.2018 - Current
  • Belief that, in order for students to learn, it is imperative to address their social and emotional needs first (Maslow before Bloom)
  • Promotion of a K-14 Counseling and Guidance program that emphasizes 2 years of postsecondary training to earn a living wage
  • Advise counselors on local policy, state policy, best practices, and district guidelines/requirements.
  • Created District Guidance & Counseling Manual (25 pages)
  • Update and revise the Middle School and High School Course Catalogs annually (40-100+ pages)
  • Revise and update district Healthy Student Handbook (50 page crisis protocols) annually
  • District point person for crises in buildings: suicide, sudden deaths of students/staff (20 deaths in last 4 years)
  • Conduct Professional Learning Community meetings with Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors (Average of 25 per year)
  • Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Cultivated a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement and boosted overall team morale.

Lead Counselor, Stony Point High School

Round Rock Independent School District
06.2014 - 06.2018
  • Coordinated a staff of nine professional counselors in the implementation of a complex secondary guidance program for a school of 2,400 students
  • Met with students, participated with counselors in student crisis situations and met with parents and students frequently.
  • Break-out Presenter at: Lone Star State School Counselor Association Convention (Fall 2017); Break-out presenter at Round Rock ISD College Fair (Fall) and Career Fair (Spring) 2014-2018 (topics: Financial Aid, Options After High School, How to Get a Job)
  • Organized and coordinated presentations for students, parents, and staff
  • Promoted self-care among staff through regular check-ins and stress management workshops.

School Counselor

Anchorage School District
08.1999 - 06.2014
  • Scheduled students, reviewed transcripts, conducted credit checks, tracked student graduation status, assisted with college and scholarship applications.
  • Crisis Intervention (Mediation, Suicide Intervention, Self-Injurious Behavior).
  • Created/implemented grade 9-12 college/career exploration program (1,600+ students).
  • School-Business Partnership Coordinator; CTE Instructor for Options After School class.
  • State of Alaska Swimming Coach of the Year (3 years); won 5 state titles (boys and girls).
  • Breakout presenter at the Alaskan Counselor’s Association Convention (topic: Post-Secondary Planning).


Adjunct Professor, Department of Guidance and Counseling

University of Alaska, Anchorage
06.2005 - 06.2006
  • Taught sixty Master’s Degree candidates in the Secondary Counseling Program working towards their Master’s Degree in Counseling and state certification.
  • Adapted course materials to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in notably higher student satisfaction rates.
  • Enhanced student engagement in complex subjects by developing a textbook for this class and implementing 30 interactive learning sessions.

Education

Master of Education - Counseling and Guidance

University of Alaska
Anchorage, AK

Bachelor of Arts - English (Honors)

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Skills

  • Extensive experience and success working tactfully with upper-level executive leaders
  • Professional and systematic communicator with the ability to understand and implement complex directives
  • Ability to effectively exercise professional discretion with multiple teams
  • Energetic and successful team-builder with a strong belief that collaboration and clarity build trust and respect
  • Approach all tasks with proactive, positive, and empathetic energy
  • Comfortable and competent with multiple, fast-paced projects
  • Meticulous and accomplished writer and proofreader
  • Sensitive client management

Certification

  • California Clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential, #110216720, 11/01/16
  • California Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential, #110211277, 11/01/16, English, Geography
  • State of Alaska Type ‘A’ Teaching Credential, #556-96-93054020343
  • State of Washington Educational Staff Associate Certificate, #455476B
  • State of Texas Certificates, TEA ID# 1874343, School Counselor (EC-12), English Language Arts & Reading (Grades 4-12), Social Studies (Grades 4-12)

References

  • Shirley Bachus, Former Supervisor, Director of Advanced Programs, Leander Independent School District, Shirley.bachus@leanderisd.org, 512-570-0309, 512-963-5775
  • Dave Rainey, Professional Colleague, Director of Counseling Services, Georgetown Independent School District, raineyd@georgetownisd.org, 512-043-5000 ext. 6021, 512-775-3217
  • Cara Schwartz, Current Colleague, Executive Director of Leadership Development, Pflugerville Independent School District, Cara.schwartz@pfisd.net, 979-209-4616

Timeline

Director of Counseling and Social Work Services

Pflugerville Independent School District
06.2018 - Current

Lead Counselor, Stony Point High School

Round Rock Independent School District
06.2014 - 06.2018

Adjunct Professor, Department of Guidance and Counseling

University of Alaska, Anchorage
06.2005 - 06.2006

School Counselor

Anchorage School District
08.1999 - 06.2014

Master of Education - Counseling and Guidance

University of Alaska

Bachelor of Arts - English (Honors)

San Diego State University

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Stephen P. Polk