Thomas J. Fortune III
Piscataway,NJ
Summary
Accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience guiding students through academic achievement and post-secondary success across diverse suburban and urban school settings. Hold a Master's degree in Higher Education and bring unique insight from navigating both traditional and non-traditional educational pathways, enabling authentic mentorship for students from all backgrounds. Extensive track record of mentoring students through college selection, application processes, and major exploration, helping hundreds of students identify pathways aligned with their strengths and aspirations. Leverage personal experience with diverse educational routes to support students considering community college transfers, gap years, vocational programs, and four-year institutions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
High School College Transition Advisor
West Orange School District
West Orange, New Jersey
11.2017 - 09.2022
- Worked with diverse population as it related to mapping out the college framework.
- Worked alongside the Guidance Counselors and Child Study Team to ensure the right decisions that best fit the student’s needs.
- Learned about General Education and transfer requirements, along with being able to critically evaluate student records and transcripts.
- Assisted with long-term plans with student, and also by keeping staff informed of ongoing progress
- Knowledge of financial aid and the process of applying for it
- Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising theories and principles General knowledge of enrollment management and retention best practices and the ability to apply them to an adult learning environment.
- Provide individual and group advising to students in grades 9-12 regarding college, career, and vocational pathways.
- Facilitate the use of interest inventories, aptitude tests, transcript reviews, and student data analysis to guide educational, career, and personal-social development, and coordinate whole-school activities such as college trips to support student exposure and planning.
- Support academic planning, goal-setting, and postsecondary readiness for all students.
- Supported students making important educational choices, including selecting courses, scheduling classes, and adjusting to school life.
- Prepared students for future educational paths by encouraging learning exploration and persistence in face of challenges.
Learning Specialist/ ERI & Gen Ed Teacher
KIPP NEW JERSEY
Newark, New Jersey
01.2025 - Current
- Consulted and collaborated with staff around student learning styles, differentiated instruction and curricula modifications.
- Implemented BIP's
- Power School Proficient
- Team collaborations to push the vision of the school.
- Collaborative methods as it relates to problem solving.
- Co-developed and implemented individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for students.
- Planned lessons and provided direct instruction for classroom, small-group and individual settings.
- Modified Lessons to fit the learning levels and styles of students
- Developed IEP goals and objectives and completed related documentation.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to constructively address student, staff and parent concerns.
- Communicated openly with guardians about student successes, concerns and needs.
- Modeled socially acceptable behavior, leveraging knowledge of behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Planned and supervised community-based experiences for students to practice skill generalization.
- Collaborated with testing specialists and social workers regarding IEP development and modification.
ICS Ela & Math/ College Transition Intern
North Star Academy
Newark, New Jersey
09.2022 - 01.2025
- Work one-on-one and in small groups with juniors and seniors to complete college applications, write personal statements, research scholarship opportunities, and understand financial aid processes including FAFSA completion. Build trusting relationships that help students identify their strengths, interests, and post-secondary goals
- Consulted and collaborated with staff around student learning styles, differentiated instruction and curricula modifications.
- Team collaborations to push the vision of the school.
- Collaborative methods as it relates to problem solving.
- Co-developed and implemented individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for students.
- Planned lessons and provided direct instruction for classroom, small-group and individual settings..
- Developed IEP goals and objectives and completed related documentation.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to constructively address student, staff and parent concerns.
- Communicated openly with guardians about student successes, concerns and needs.
- Modeled socially acceptable behavior, leveraging knowledge of behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Planned and supervised community-based experiences for students to practice skill generalization.
- Collaborated with testing specialists and social workers regarding IEP development and modification.
Education
Master of Education - Student Affairs / Higher Ed
Ashford University
12-2022
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Education
Arizona Global University
08-2020
Associates Of Arts – A.A. - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
04-2012
Skills
- Behavior Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Early childhood education
- Activity planning and execution
- Role modeling
- Life skills development
- Progress monitoring
Timeline
Learning Specialist/ ERI & Gen Ed Teacher
KIPP NEW JERSEY
01.2025 - Current
ICS Ela & Math/ College Transition Intern
North Star Academy
09.2022 - 01.2025
High School College Transition Advisor
West Orange School District
11.2017 - 09.2022
Master of Education - Student Affairs / Higher Ed
Ashford University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Education
Arizona Global University
Associates Of Arts – A.A. - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix