TaLeshay Gray
Harvest,AL
Summary
Professional with over 20 years of experience in guiding students through academic and career choices. Expertise in counseling that fosters relationship-building and navigates school life challenges. Proven ability to connect students with external resources to enhance educational and career outcomes. Strong communicator with a history of developing supportive environments through collaboration with students, parents, and educational staff.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Huntsville Junior High School
07.2024 - Current
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
School Counselor
Virgil I. Grissom High School
07.2017 - Current
- Provide comprehensive counseling services to high school students, addressing academic, career, and personal/social development.
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting a comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Improved graduation rates by implementing targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Increased awareness of post-secondary options by organizing college and career readiness workshops and events.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests, and educational goals.
School Counselor
Academy For Foreign Language
07.2015 - 06.2017
- Supported multilingual students in their academic and social adjustment to a new educational environment.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Increased awareness of post-secondary options by organizing college and career readiness workshops and events.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
1st Grade Teacher
Farley Elementary
08.2013 - 05.2015
- Instructed first-grade students in foundational subjects, emphasizing literacy and numeracy skills.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning activities and group projects.
- Enhanced classroom management techniques, resulting in a more focused and productive learning environment.
- Increased parent involvement in their child''s education by conducting regular parent-teacher conferences and providing resources for at-home learning support.
- Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating engaging phonics activities and guided reading sessions.
Reading Coach
Farley Elementary / Chaffee Elementary
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Enhanced reading comprehension for students by incorporating diverse literary genres and materials.
- Improved student engagement by developing innovative lesson plans tailored to individual learning styles.
- Boosted students'' reading fluency through targeted interventions and customized practice exercises.
- Collaborated with teachers to modify curricula to better address the needs of struggling readers.
Reading Coach
McDonald Elementary
08.2010 - 05.2012
- Facilitated targeted reading sessions for students requiring additional support.
- Enhanced reading comprehension for students by incorporating diverse literary genres and materials.
- Improved student engagement by developing innovative lesson plans tailored to individual learning styles.
- Boosted students'' reading fluency through targeted interventions and customized practice exercises.
- Collaborated with teachers to modify curricula to better address the needs of struggling readers.
School Counselor
McDonald Elementary
08.2009 - 05.2010
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting a comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
2nd Grade Teacher
McDonald Elementary
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and incorporating real-world examples.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through consistent communication, leading to increased parental involvement in their child''s education.
- Implemented a positive reward system to motivate students and reinforce good behavior, resulting in a more productive classroom environment.
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative assessments, providing timely feedback for improved academic performance.
1st Grade Teacher
McDonald Elementary
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Instructed first-grade students in foundational subjects, emphasizing reading and math skills.
- Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating engaging phonics activities and guided reading sessions.
- Increased parent involvement in their child''s education by conducting regular parent-teacher conferences and providing resources for at-home learning support.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning activities and group projects.
- Enhanced classroom management techniques, resulting in a more focused and productive learning environment.
Kindergarten Teacher
Whitesburg Elementary
09.2003 - 05.2004
- Taught kindergarten students, focusing on early childhood development and learning.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Assisted in curriculum development to align lessons with state standards and improve overall instructional quality.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
Education
Education Specialist in School Counseling -
Jacksonville State University
08.2024
Master’s Degree in School Counseling -
University of West Alabama
10.2008
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education -
Alabama A& M University
05.2003
Skills
- Student Counseling and Support
- Reading Intervention and Literacy Programs
- Classroom Management
- Data Analysis and Progress Tracking
- Conflict Resolution
- Professional Development
- Parent and Teacher Collaboration
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Individualized education programs
- Student Records Management
- Individual counseling
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Suicide prevention
- Crisis intervention
- Student advocacy
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Solutions-focused
- Group counseling
- Parent-teacher collaboration
Certifications
- Certified School Counselor
- Elementary Education Teaching Certification
Professional Affiliations
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- Alabama Education Association (AEA)
Timeline
School Counselor
Huntsville Junior High School
07.2024 - Current
School Counselor
Virgil I. Grissom High School
07.2017 - Current
School Counselor
Academy For Foreign Language
07.2015 - 06.2017
1st Grade Teacher
Farley Elementary
08.2013 - 05.2015
Reading Coach
Farley Elementary / Chaffee Elementary
08.2012 - 05.2013
Reading Coach
McDonald Elementary
08.2010 - 05.2012
School Counselor
McDonald Elementary
08.2009 - 05.2010
2nd Grade Teacher
McDonald Elementary
01.2004 - 01.2009
1st Grade Teacher
McDonald Elementary
01.2004 - 01.2005
Kindergarten Teacher
Whitesburg Elementary
09.2003 - 05.2004
Master’s Degree in School Counseling -
University of West Alabama
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education -
Alabama A& M University
Education Specialist in School Counseling -
Jacksonville State University
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