I started my career as a mental health therapist for children in the adoption/foster care system. I went to graduate school to become a fully licensed therapist but quickly fell in love with school counseling.
A few months before I graduated with my Masters in Counseling and endorsement in school counseling, I was hired as a school counselor in a rural district in my county. I covered 3 elementary buildings with just under 1,500 students.
Providing elementary counseling services in my school district was amazing, but as the only elementary counselor I yearned to connect with others who "got it". Feeling a bit like a lone wolf, I turned to the internet and discovered several school counseling blogs. In an attempt to "join the conversation", I started my blog: The Helpful Counselor. You can check it out here: The Helpful Counselor
I loved running my districts elementary school counseling program, but I felt like I could still do more to help my students so I went back to school to learn how to support students with emotional and behavioral impairments. In the spring of 2011, I completed my teaching certification program at Eastern Michigan University with a certification in English and a special education endorsement in emotional impairments.
For the past 4 years, I've worked as a special education teacher in a K-5 resource room where I help my students develop academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills.
A Friendship Intervention: Putting an End to Relational Aggression
Florida School Counseling Association
Behavior Modification Breakdown: The Basics to Lasting Behavior Change
Michigan School Counseling Association
I have a child-centered philosophy with an emphasis on self-empowerment.
PSI CHI - International Honor Society for Psychology Students
Graduated University of Michigan Magna Cum Laude
Graduated Spring Arbor University Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Psychology University of Michigan
Master of Arts in Counseling Spring Arbor University
English Teaching Certification Eastern Michigan University
Special Education Endorsement: Emotional Impairment Eastern Michigan University
My background is in working with abused and neglected children in inner-city Detroit and Flint, Michigan.
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Homeschool, Staff, Not Grade Specific
English Language Arts, Specialty, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Life Skills, Critical Thinking, For All Subjects, Classroom Management, School Counseling, Character Education, Study Skills, Problem Solving, Writing, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Halloween, Speech Therapy, Valentine's Day, For All Subjects, School Psychology