Vanessa Montero
North Bay Village,FL
Summary
Adept MDCPS School Counselor offering 20 years of experience counseling students on mental health, academics and interpersonal conflicts. Driven to help students achieve success by providing emotional support, coping skills, and life planning. Attentive in identifying early warning signs of harmful behavior in students to provide preventive counseling. Consistent in meeting the established goals of the counseling program.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
College Advisor
MDCPS, Design and Architecture Sr. High
06.2022 - Current
- Advised students individually and in groups on academic programs for individual interests.
- Strengthened relationships with local universities to facilitate seamless transfer of credits and improve the likelihood of student acceptance into desired programs.
- Collaborated with faculty to integrate college readiness strategies into daily instruction across all subject areas.
- Developed curriculum for College Preparation course, equipping students with essential skills for success in higher education.
- Served as a liaison between high schools and colleges to ensure proper documentation was submitted for admission consideration.
- Assisted families in navigating the financial aid process, maximizing available resources for tuition assistance.
- Encouraged parental involvement by hosting informational events tailored towards understanding the college admission process.
- Enhanced college application processes for students through comprehensive workshops on essay writing, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.
- Facilitated group workshops focused on career exploration, helping students make informed decisions about their future trajectories.
- Organized annual Portfolio Review Day to expose students to a wide range of post-secondary options, promoting informed decision making.
- Provided support during course selection periods by guiding students through program requirements and aligning their choices with future goals.
- Assisted students in exploring and selecting career paths.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Planned, promoted, and oversaw college visits to assist students in making informed-decisions.
Guidance Counselor / Mental Health "TRUST"
MDCPS, New World School of the Arts
07.2019 - 06.2022
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions for a diverse population of highly talented students in the arts fostering healthy coping skills and emotional growth.
- Established a safe environment for students to openly discuss their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and concerns without fear of judgment or retribution.
- Documented progress notes accurately and timely, maintaining compliance with MDCPS regulatory standards.
- Contributed to community outreach efforts by participating in events, workshops, and presentations on mental health topics.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of student information in accordance with HIPAA regulations and professional code of ethics.
- Managed crisis situations with professionalism and empathy, ensuring student safety during severe episodes of distress.
- Developed strong rapport with students through empathetic listening and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
- Employed methodologies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to assist students.
- Referred students to other specialists, institutions or support services as necessary.
- Ability to build trusting relationships with students, families and community partners.
- Counseled a diverse student population whose learning and social functioning levels cover a wide spectrum.
- Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in then mental health field.
High School Guidance Counselor
MDCPS, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Sr. High
07.2017 - 06.2019
- Empowered students to take ownership of their education by teaching self-advocacy skills and fostering decision-making abilities.
- Conducted presentations at parent meetings, providing information on graduation requirements, available resources and strategies for supporting student success.
- Addressed barriers to learning by collaborating with special education team members to create customized educational plans for each student.
- Developed strong relationships with community mental health partners, enhancing the availability of resources for students and families.
- Actively participated in ongoing MDCPS professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in the field of school counseling.
- Assisted students in setting realistic goals, creating action plans, and tracking their achievements.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to emphasize bullying prevention and college readiness.
- Developed and conducted workshops and seminars to educate parents on relevant topics in education.
- Supported students through challenging developmental milestones and crisis situations and coordinated outside service referrals for those needing extra assistance.
- Built schedules around students' strengths and long-term goals, customizing different approaches for college preparatory and technical school pathways.
- Delivered high-quality services to students needing academic and emotional support.
- Offered extra assistance to students of impoverished backgrounds by providing clothes for job interviews and support for basic needs.
- Reduced student stress levels by implementing effective time management strategies and organizational skills.
- Boosted graduation rates by identifying at-risk students early on and providing targeted interventions.
Guidance Counselor/Mental Health "TRUST"
MDCPS, Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial High
08.2014 - 08.2017
- Ensured emotional regulation of students through class observations during high-risk situations.
- Provided compassionate support during times of crisis or acute distress while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.
- Developed rapport with diverse student populations, fostering trust and open communication during individual and group counseling sessions.
- Maintained detailed records of student interventions, progress notes, treatment plans, and other documentation required for regulatory compliance.
- Provided students and their families recommendations to community resources.
- Increased student satisfaction by maintaining a therapeutic environment tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Served as a liaison between patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to promote effective communication and coordinated care.
- Encouraged students to express feelings and discuss what was happening in day-to-day life in order to help each person develop insight into personal experiences and relationships
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Attended MDCPS trainings to participate in continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
Education
Certification in Mental Health Counseling -
Florida International University
Miami, FLBachelor of Arts - Psychology
Florida International University
Miami, FLMaster of Arts - Counselor Education
Florida International University
Miami, FLNo Degree - Florida Dept. of Education Certifications
Miami Dade County Public Schools
Miami, FLMaster of Science in Counseling Education -
Florida International University
Miami, FL06.2004
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
Florida International University
Miami, FL04.1998
Skills
- Building rapport
- Crisis Intervention
- Individual Counseling
- Collaborative Approach
- Student Advocacy
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
College Advisor
MDCPS, Design and Architecture Sr. High
06.2022 - Current
Guidance Counselor / Mental Health "TRUST"
MDCPS, New World School of the Arts
07.2019 - 06.2022
High School Guidance Counselor
MDCPS, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Sr. High
07.2017 - 06.2019
Guidance Counselor/Mental Health "TRUST"
MDCPS, Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial High
08.2014 - 08.2017
Certification in Mental Health Counseling -
Florida International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Florida International University
Master of Arts - Counselor Education
Florida International University
No Degree - Florida Dept. of Education Certifications
Miami Dade County Public Schools
Master of Science in Counseling Education -
Florida International University
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
Florida International University
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