Zuzeth Mendez
North Bergen,NJ
Summary
Dedicated and empathetic future school counselor with a strong academic foundation in counseling and student development. Experienced in supporting diverse student populations through practicum and internship experiences, focusing on academic achievement, social-emotional development, and college/career readiness. Skilled in building trust with students, collaborating with teachers and parents, and implementing evidence-based strategies to promote student success. Committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment where all students can thrive academically and personally.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Career Counselor
STRENGTHEN TEENS AND REACH INNER-CI
11.2024 - Current
- Assist in planning and coordinating participant activities and workshops
- Provide information about programs to families
- Assist in training community volunteers and mentors
- Coordinate job development and placement for participants eligibility for employment assistance
- Identify any roadblocks or issues related to a participants progress towards Individualized Career Plans (ICP)
Senior School Counselor Intern
North Bergen High School
01.2024 - Current
- Providing students academic planning and goal setting
- Helping students explore career options, apply for college and learn job-search skills
- Working with teachers, parents, and the community to support students
- Helping students choose classes and create academic plans
Clerk
North Bergen High School
09.2020 - 09.2024
- Responsible for performing administrative tasks to support the office
- Responding to phone calls daily and emails
- Maintaining an organized filing system
- Ensure the day to day operations of the office
Paraprofessional Educator
Lincoln Elementary School
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Supports the learning center environment
- Helps with appropriate daily activities for children
- Establishes and maintains a safe and healthy nurturing environment for children
Bilingual Bus Attendant
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
09.2017 - 06.2019
- Monitor students and maintain order on the school bus
- Assists driver with submission of necessary paperwork
- Communicates with drivers/parents/guardians and school personnel
Education
MA - Counseling
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ05-2025
BA - History
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ01.2017
Skills
- Core Counseling Skills
- Individual and group counseling
- Crisis intervention and prevention
- Conflict resolution
- Active listening
- Empathy and rapport building
- Student advocacy
- Social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Behavior intervention strategies
- Mental health awareness
- Academic & Career Support
- Academic advising and goal setting
- College and career readiness
- Classroom guidance lessons
- 504 and IEP support
- Study skills and time management coaching
- Collaboration & Communication
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Family and parent engagement
- Teacher consultation
- Community resource referrals
- Cultural competency
- Confidentiality and ethics in counseling
- Technical & Administrative
- Data collection and progress monitoring
- Student information systems
- Documentation and case notes
- Program planning and implementation
- Career mentoring
- Clear public speaking skills
Accomplishments
- Curriculum Design - Designed, developed and implemented daily lessons for 90 students.
- Data Organization - Organized scores of over 80 students into online database for parents' immediate access.
- Student Mentor - Volunteered as temporary student guidance counselor to help resolve student personal issues.
- Interactive Learning - Introduced and encouraged debate-style classroom setting to increase student active participation and critical thinking.
- Student Progress Conferences - Conducted conferences with parents, administrators, testing specialists and social workers to discuss educational plans designed to promote students' educational/social development.
- Curriculum Implementation - Taught reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, art and physical education to pupils utilizing course of study adopted by the Board of Education.
Certification
School Counseling Certification, Pending
Groups
American School Counselor Association, 08/01/23, Present
Skills
Individual and group counseling, Crisis intervention and prevention, Conflict resolution, Active listening, Empathy and rapport building, Student advocacy, Social-emotional learning (SEL), Behavior intervention strategies, Mental health awareness, Academic advising and goal setting, College and career readiness (e.g., Naviance, FAFSA support), Classroom guidance lessons, 504 and IEP support, Study skills and time management coaching, Multidisciplinary team collaboration, Family and parent engagement, Teacher consultation, Community resource referrals, Cultural competency, Confidentiality and ethics in counseling, Data collection and progress monitoring, Student information systems (e.g., PowerSchool, Infinite Campus), Documentation and case notes, Program planning and implementation
Affiliations
- American School Counselor Association
- New Jersey School Counselor Association
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community
- Documenting and sharing travel experiences
- I like working with my hands and fixing things
- Gym Workouts
- Getting involved in local advocacy groups to promote positive change in the community
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Volunteering
- Youth Development Programs
- Participating in cultural exchange programs and homestays
- Advocacy Campaigns
- Mindfulness Practices
Timeline
Career Counselor
STRENGTHEN TEENS AND REACH INNER-CI
11.2024 - Current
Senior School Counselor Intern
North Bergen High School
01.2024 - Current
Clerk
North Bergen High School
09.2020 - 09.2024
Paraprofessional Educator
Lincoln Elementary School
09.2019 - 06.2020
Bilingual Bus Attendant
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
09.2017 - 06.2019
BA - History
New Jersey City University
MA - Counseling
New Jersey City University
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