State of Colorado
2001 Colorado School Counselor of the Year
Colorado State Safe and Drug Free Advisory Council, 1995-96 school year. During the year we met with staff from Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s office to discuss funding violence prevention programs at the national level.
School Counseling
District “Bully-Proofing” Trainer for Littleton Public Schools. Following the Columbine shootings, the staff at Moody Elementary School requested “bully-proofing” training.
I prepared the 17 hour school-wide staff in-service taught for college credit, followed by teaching six weekly lessons in each classroom K-5. I taught parenting workshops, served as a guest speaker in the community, and included “bully-proofing” information monthly in the school newsletter.
Following our success, other schools expressed interest in Bully-proofing. I trained the staff of many other schools. This program is an excellent way to create safe schools, reduce violence, build assets, and strengthen students.
District Counseling Program Development Writing Committee for Littleton School District.
This committee devoted a year and a half to research, brainstorming, and working out details, to create a district counseling program. Our program was honored by the National Counseling Association.
District Crisis Response Team. Part of the team responding to school crisis, such as student death and other unforeseen events, working with students and classmates doing healing activities. I helped compiled the district resources given to teachers to use.
Anger Management. Implemented a school-wide anger management program, teaching teachers, parents and classrooms. Followed up with student support groups.
Play and Language to Succeed (PALS) Using play therapy techniques to help primary students gain language skills, social skills, reduce aggression and involve withdrawn children. I presented this program to the primary teachers and regularly helped in classrooms with PALS, reducing behavior problems and social conflict.
At-risk Committee Chairman Identification of at-risk students, their needs, interventions and accommodations to help them succeed.
Parent Education. Taught several types of parent workshops including the six week “Love & Logic” course, 1-2-3 Magic, Bully-proofing, and anger management.
Discipline Program Development. To define school discipline with balance between flexibility and predictability I researched and developed a discipline plan that combines the best of both. It categorizes misbehavior and gives a menu of appropriate interventions and consequences. I compiled support materials, provided teacher in-service education and classroom support.
Scheduling Committee Chairman. At Bennett High School and Moody Elementary, I served as the scheduling chairman. Diplomacy is critical in this task because everyone has an strong opinion and no one is thrilled with the result. I enjoy the challenge of creating a master schedule that meets as many needs as possible.
Bennett School District School-to-Career Coordinator. Believing that “School-to-Career,” or School-to-Life, makes education relevant and meaningful, I wrote grants, and received funds.
Because this was a community/district grant, I was in the position of coordinating and implementing it at that level. I recruited a grant committee of teachers, administrators, and 50% business members, did grant and report writing and regular community updates. These grants helped build community relationships, implement educational projects, and help students.
District Safe and Drug Free District Coordinator. At Bennett, I wrote the district grant for state SDFS funds each year. Cindy Wakefield at CDE was impressed with it, and used it as an example to train others. In addition to writing the grant, I facilitated community grant meetings, handled distribution of funds, and did the report writing for the district.
Associate Degree Program. Bennett High School participates in what was a unique “5th year Associate Degree program” with Morgan Community College. As the counselor, I helped make this program successful going from one student participating in the program to 25 students staying an extra year to participate 4 years later when I left. I also worked with the school board to establish the graduation credits needed for this program.
Bennett School District Crisis Plan Development. While at Bennett High School, I realized there was no formal crisis plan. I spent a year researching and, with administrative support and guidance, put together a comprehensive plan. This was implemented the day it was completed, as we had to respond to a violent student death.
504 Coordinator. While at Bennett, I developed a “504 Accommodation Plan” worksheet that proved valuable. It was educational for teachers without being burdensome. It helped parents and students feel positive about school, yet held them accountable for their part in education.
High School College and Career Programs. All students had a four-year plan outlining high school and post high school goals. They participated in career exploration, job shadowing, work experience programs, portfolios, resumes and more. I took many students on college campus visits.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs After being trained by U.S Department of Education, I taught Financial Aid workshops. Juniors, Seniors and parents were taught to do computer scholarship searches and create a scholarship notebook. While I was at Bennett, students received a record amount of scholarship offers.
ACT Preparation Program. Created and taught a five-week ACT preparation class each fall and spring.
Student Advisor Program Coordinator. Given the responsibility of creating an advisor program, it took diplomacy to gain staff cooperation make the program successful. I developed a comprehensive curriculum. Staff members met with their students weekly to help students increase academic success, teach study skills, career exploration, college and graduation preparation.
Peer Counseling Program. Developed a peer counseling program and trained the peer counselors.
National Honor Society Sponsor. At Bennett, I took the NHS students on a yearly retreat to develop chapter bylaws and plan structured activities.
Student Assistance Program. Facilitated many student support groups including a young mothers’ group for expecting teenagers, grief, divorce, study skills, family changes, and personal issues such as anger management, self-esteem and friendship skills groups.
Work Study Coordinator. Teaching students work skills and following up with employers and students on evaluation of work performance.
Mentoring new Counselors. I served as a mentor to new counselors completing their Master’s Degree, providing training, information, monitoring progress.
