Tessa Baker Livingston
Savannah
Summary
Professional School Counselor
Results-oriented counseling professional prepared to provide exceptional support to students' academic and personal growth. Proven ability to develop and implement programs that foster positive school environment. Strong focus on collaborative efforts and adaptability, ensuring reliable and flexible support. Skilled in crisis management and effective communication.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
High/Middle School Counselor
SCCPSS
08.2015 - 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.
- Oversees and coordinates dual enrollment and accelerated career grant programs 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.
- Assist in promoting and encouraging the work-based learning program to provide students with practical, hands-on experience.
- Collaborates with the school’s graduation team to develop strategies for improving graduation rates.
- Schedules and conducts meetings with administration, counselors, and parents to track and discuss student graduation progress.
- Plans and organizes FAFSA Nights to assist students and families with completing financial aid applications.
- 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.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Coordinated efforts with community organizations to provide additional resources for students facing various challenges.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.
- Empowered parents/guardians involvement in their children''s education via organizing educational workshops and providing resources on academic, career, and personal/social development.
- Regularly met with enrolled students to confirm success and identify problem areas.
- Reduced disciplinary incidents through proactive conflict resolution strategies that encouraged open communication between all parties involved.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Improved graduation rates by implementing targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Enhanced faculty collaboration through regular consultation on classroom management strategies, behavioral interventions, or other support measures needed for student success.
- Created an inclusive learning environment by advocating for accommodations for students with special needs or disabilities.
- Coordinated with community organizations to enhance support services and resources available to students.
- Improved student attendance rates by identifying and addressing underlying issues through targeted counseling interventions.
- Enhanced student academic performance with individual counseling sessions.
- Streamlined referral processes to external mental health services, ensuring timely support for students in need.
- Developed and led workshops on college readiness, significantly increasing college application rates.
- Fostered supportive and inclusive school environment by implementing comprehensive counseling programs.
- Supported students through crisis intervention services, providing immediate assistance and long-term recovery plans.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Provided resources to support students in achieving career goals.
- Advocated for students to access available resources.
- Advised students on educational, career and social opportunities.
- Developed and implemented student guidance plans to foster academic success.
Educational Talent Search Tutor/Mentor
Savannah State University
06.2014 - 07.2017
- Served as an advocate for students, working closely with school counselors and administrators to address any issues impacting academic success.
- Boosted student engagement and motivation through implementing interactive learning strategies and group work.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing timely feedback and adjusting teaching methods accordingly for improved comprehension.
- Organized extracurricular workshops focusing on skill-building activities such as public speaking, time management, and study strategies to further support student development beyond the classroom setting.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
- Collaborated with fellow educators to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans that connected various subject areas for a more comprehensive understanding of content.
- Provided homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
- Tutored diverse groups of students to strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.
Title 1 Parent Facilitator
SCCPSS
08.2011 - 08.2015
- Assisted with federal and state Title 1 program evaluations
- Communicated with parents about promotion requirements
- Served as a member of Title 1 school and district planning and advisory committees
- Mediated Parent/Teacher conferences
- Assisted the Title 1 Program Manager in monitoring school-level compliance of all Title 1 assurances and in collecting and archiving all required Title 1 documentation
- Facilitated staff training, parenting and tutoring programs, enrichment activities, and other duties
- Served as a liaison between the school and parents
- Developed relationships with parents and provided them with the means to communicate with the school and their child's teachers
- Assisted with state and national testing
- Worked with school administration, counselors and teachers to coordinate parent services
- Built rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions.
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed.
- Contributed to improved team performance by facilitating workshops on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques.
- Delivered high-quality training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Program Coordinator, Savannah Pre-Apprentice Program
City of Savannah
05.2013 - 08.2013
- Supervised daily operations and program offerings of the Savannah Pre-Apprentice Program
- Supervised and directs activities of designated program staff
- Facilitated activities for disadvantaged youth as necessary
- Monitored, analyzed, and evaluated program performance
- Reviewed monthly invoices for services and ensured that all activities and expenditures are allowable
- Communicates with staff, parents, and other agencies about the needs of SPAP participants
- Conducted on-site monitoring reviews of programs and services
- Evaluated designated staff's performance and administers participant discipline as necessary
- Established and maintained relationships with other community-based agencies, youth services, and workforce development organizations to exchange information regarding resources and available services
- Planned special events and activities
- Gained exposure to diverse client needs by shadowing experienced colleagues during consultations.
- Gained fundamental knowledge in the trade through hands-on training and guidance from skilled mentors.
- Improved efficiency within the team by completing assigned duties promptly and accurately.
- Actively pursued opportunities to expand knowledge and skillset by requesting additional responsibilities, attending workshops, and joining relevant industry associations.
- Strengthened problem-solving abilities by collaborating with team members to address challenges during projects.
Special Education Paraprofessional
SCCPSS
03.2011 - 06.2011
- Educated individual students (one-on-one or small group) who are on IEP's under the direction of the supervising special education teacher
- Provided assistance with individualized programmed materials
- Assisted with group educational activities that include students on IEP's
- Assisted teacher in observing, recording, and charting behavior
- Assisted the teacher with crisis problems and behavior management
Reach Out and Read (ROR) & Community Outreach (CO) Coordinator
Backus Children's Hospital
12.2004 - 07.2010
- Organized, planned, and coordinated monthly reading celebration that recognizes the importance of reading between parents and children for children ages 6 - 18 years old
- Supervised community volunteers for Backus Children's Hospital
- Worked closely with The One Hundred (a philanthropic organization benefiting BCH)
- Established partnerships with local business such has Springhill Suites, Leopold's Ice Cream, SunTrust Bank, First Tee of Savannah, and Barnes & Nobles
- Increased the community volunteer participation by 85%
- Increased Memorial Health Team Member volunteer participation by 95%
- Participated in numerous community/volunteer fairs such as Gulfstream Family Day, Savannah Kids Day, and SCCPSS: Back to School Bash
- Organized children books for BCH Pediatrician to give away monthly to patients
- Implemented and manages Backus Children's Hospital respite care program
- Implemented, Managed, and Facilitated children's hospital first community wide outreach fair, Backus Children's Day
- Greeted and hosted special guests such as PGA Champion wives, professional athletes, and entertainers when they visit BCH
- Conducted hospital tours
- Worked closely with MH Marketing Coordinator and Customer System Analyst
- Maintained volunteer records
- Scheduled interviews/appointments for volunteers
- Prepared annual budget for ROR and CO program
- Developed monthly reports for sponsors
- Worked closely with MH Foundation on preparing grants for children hospital programs
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Education
Education Specialist degree - School Counseling
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Ala07.2023
Masters of Education - School Guidance Counseling
Cambridge College
Cambridge, MA05.2012
Bachelor of Health Science Administration -
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Savannah, GA12.2000
Skills
- Strong communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Human service skills
- Program management
- Volunteer management
- Experience working with community groups
- Experience working with youth groups
- Individual counseling
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Suicide prevention
- Crisis intervention
- Mental health assessments
- Conflict resolution
- Solutions-focused
Accomplishments
- Counseled 200+ high school students in college exploration and career planning to successfully matriculate 23% in higher-education enrollment.
Certification
Currently enrolled in SCCPSS , License Professional Counselor Cohort, June 2025 completion date
Timeline
High/Middle School Counselor
SCCPSS
08.2015 - Current
Educational Talent Search Tutor/Mentor
Savannah State University
06.2014 - 07.2017
Program Coordinator, Savannah Pre-Apprentice Program
City of Savannah
05.2013 - 08.2013
Title 1 Parent Facilitator
SCCPSS
08.2011 - 08.2015
Special Education Paraprofessional
SCCPSS
03.2011 - 06.2011
Reach Out and Read (ROR) & Community Outreach (CO) Coordinator
Backus Children's Hospital
12.2004 - 07.2010
Education Specialist degree - School Counseling
University of West Alabama
Masters of Education - School Guidance Counseling
Cambridge College
Bachelor of Health Science Administration -
Armstrong Atlantic State University
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