Recreation Therapist

Education ****, Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation,

Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

****, **** *********** ******* ********* Certification

Professional Experience

*/**** – Present Substitute Teacher

Escambia Co. School District, Pensacola, FL

Beaulah Middle School – Culinary Arts, Family Consumer Science

Beaulah Middle School – Math, History, English, Access Points

Ferry Pass Middle – Inclusion ESE

01/2024 – 06/2024 Paraprofessional Exceptional Student Education 1:1

Santa Rosa Co. School District, Avalon Middle School, Milton, FL

Took care of a child with orthopedic impairments

Assisted teacher with lessons and activities

Transported students in wheelchairs to and from bus ramp and car line

Fed and changed students with special needs

Assisted with therapy sessions and adaptive physical education

8/2022 - 4/2023 Paraprofessional, Exceptional Student Education

Santa Rosa Co. School District, Bennett Russell Elementary School, Milton, FL

Supported a wide and flexible variety of classroom management and education programs for K-5 students, including teacher substitution, direct lesson instruction, reading programs, and special needs student behavioral support.

10/2015 – 11/2016 Activity Director Harris Healthcare Inc. Berryhill Manor, Milton FL

Managed, planned, scheduled, and implemented special events and ongoing day program entertainment for resident facility.

Managed all volunteer interaction with residents, transported residents (outings and appointments) and assisted with activities of daily living.

Director of Day Program for seniors with dementia.

4/2013 - 12/2014 Assistant Administrator Harris Healthcare Inc.

Victorian Manor Assisted Living, Pace, FL

Assisted with planning and managed activity schedule and special events

Assisted administrator with documentation and management of Medicaid waivers

Managed facility staff: nursing assistants, cooks, housekeepers, maintenance workers

Interviewed potential staff members and ensured all new staff paperwork completion

Coordinated resident move-ins and routinely evaluated residents progress and affect

Conducted facility tours for family members, potential residents, and volunteers

4/2009 – 4/2013 Director of Activities The Blake at Gulf Breeze, Gulf Breeze, FL

Established relationships with community health organizations and performers

Monitored and balanced annual/monthly activity budgets

Supervised and trained activity staff & volunteers

Coordinated quarterly special events for residents and families

Created bi-monthly newsletters and promotional materials

Developed and executed monthly activity calendars for elderly residents and families

Developed annual themes for activity program

Developed therapeutic programs for memory care residents

Conducted activity and new learning assessments with residents

Implemented tours of facility and addressed building maintenance and move-ins

5/2008 – 4/2009 Case Manager Just People Inc., Atlanta, GA

Supported clients with learning disabilities and mental illness with activities of daily living: budgeting, shopping, cleaning, cooking skills, health and fitness, time management, community integration, interpersonal relationship management and conflict resolution

Collaborated with clients, parents, staff supervisors, and support coordinators to set short- and long-term goals and objectives to increase clients quality of life and well-being

Assisted Sports Coordinator with Special Olympics coaching and seasonal competitions

3/2006 – 4/2008 Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinator City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department, Pensacola, FL

Oversaw the administration and implementation of multiple adaptive sports programs: adaptive swimming, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, bocce, and power soccer

Conducted in-home and office assessments of new clients with disabilities

Coached wheelchair tennis and adaptive swimming

Increased disabled sport program participation by 75%

Managed expenditure budget of $18,000 annually

Generated revenue of over $20,000 through grants and fundraisers

Served as community liaison on disability advocacy boards: Disability Summit Council, The Learning Plant, Disability Support Network, and Center for Independent Living

Facilitated volunteer recruitment, training, and support

Coordinated marketing and advertising strategies for special events and clinics

Developed annual program calendars, assessments and evaluation

Created articles for publication in agency newsletter and local magazines

Conducted health promotion presentations for local community and civic groups

Evaluated accessibility and initiated development of ADA compliant accessible showers, walkways, and parking

8/2006 – 10/2007 Aquatics Instructor Healthworks at West Florida Hospital, Pensacola, FL

Developed and implemented water aerobics routines for seniors

Adapted aquatics routines to meet the needs of clients with disabilities

Trained new aquatics instructors

Summer 2005 Program Assistant (Internship) Blaze Sports America, Atlanta, GA

Planned and implemented adaptive sports programs, clinics, and special events

Created and implemented leisure assessments, gathered data and created custom tailored education sessions for potential athletes

Counseled children and youth with physical disabilities during sports camps

Developed inventory strategy for program marketing materials and sports equipment

2003 – 2004 Personal Trainer Fitness Together, Atlanta, GA

Opened gym and booked appointments

Conducted fitness assessments and developed training for clients

2002 – 2003 Therapeutic Recreation Aide Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA

Implemented weekend social events for patients and families

Documented and reported therapy outcomes

Created promotional materials for therapeutic recreation department

Assisted therapists and patients during art, horticulture, music, aquatics, outdoor recreation, leisure education, sports clinics, and community outings

Community Service and Clinical Field Work (Selected)

Pensacola Open, Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, Pensacola, FL (2006/2007) – Volunteer Coordinator & Managed Athletic Training Booth

Special Olympics, Escambia County, FL (2007) – Adaptive Swim Coach for children and adults with intellectual disabilities

Sports Ability Games, Tallahassee, FL (2007) – Helped during therapeutic recreation activities: kayaking, water skiing, adaptive golf, and therapeutic horseback riding

Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA (2004) – Assisted with aquatic therapy and water aerobics sessions for patients with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, advanced brain injuries, and other physical impairments. Supported patients during ambulator sessions on treadmill.

Georgia Regional Hospital, Decatur, GA (2004) – Administered leisure assessments for and supervised at-risk youth during community college. Led music therapy sessions for children with severe behavior and emotional disorders

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