Teacher Assistant Therapeutic Staff

Pamela L. Dawson

*** ****** ****** ****** *****, PA 15136 412-***-**** *************@*****.***

Summary of Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in social sciences, with work experience in childcare and educational setting

10 plus years of experience in varied human relations responsibilities

Long-term counseling and crisis intervention with individuals and families of diverse backgrounds and social status

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, listening, assessment, and communication skills (both written and verbal)

Education

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, December 2001

Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences

Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA

Associates Degree (Behavioral Sciences)

Related Experience

Holy Family Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, June 1995 – Present

S.H.O.R.E.S. Support Hours of Recovery Ensure Sobriety) Program-Addictions Counselor/Conduct

Facilitated groups encouraging clients to share experiences and gain insight and benefits from the support group.

Led individual sessions with clients working toward established goals focusing on recovery and education.

Summarized therapy sessions and completed written clinical documentation and progress reports summarizing therapy sessions.

Developed treatment plans and strategies using various industry standard techniques. Reviewed work of audit staff and provided constructive feedback.

Truancy Officer and Attendance Coordinator

Promoted the importance of education and the effect daily attendance has on obtaining educational goals.

Communicated regularly with parents/guardians, school district administrators and outside agency representatives within the mental-health and judicial systems.

Worked with school team to develop effective strategies to improve attendance.

Prepared and maintained all attendance records and completed required filing of attendance data.

Participated in truancy hearings as required.

Program Supervisor for Bellefonds' Institute for Learning Abilities (ILA)

Developed and facilitated new employee trainings.

Worked with students in Pittsburgh Public Schools to initiate and implement successful academic coping skills for students with disabilities.

Participated in teaching and counseling teams to develop strategies to modify lesson plans on a case by case basis.

Provided in-home mobile therapy and trained the parents of students with learning abilities on how to help the student cope with their disabilities.

Maintained close professional relationships with parents/guardians and participated in monthly school team meetings to discuss progress.

Created learning plans that initiated positive changes and outcomes for students.

Mentored staff and provided instruction to increase performance.

Bellefonds' ILA Clinician

Completed individual assessment for clients.

Executed cognitive retraining exercises for the brain as set forth in Bellefonds' Therapeutic Methods.

Prepared extensive and comprehensive written reports and assessments of clients.

Coordinated and facilitated ongoing training sessions for parents/guardians and significant family members of clients.

Other Experience

Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS)

Provided crisis management and ongoing support to residents victimized by abuse and neglect.

Taught effective non-violent anger management techniques to residents.

Encouraged and assisted clients in learning and implementing positive coping strategies for daily life transition.

Teacher Assistant and Childcare Provider

Implemented daily academic course assignments.

Facilitated academic groups and tutored students in specific areas of need on a one-to-one basis.

Assisted residents with daily life-skill routines and individual needs.

SKILLS

Computer - Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Professional Development – Bellefonds’ Institute for Learning Abilities (ILA) Therapeutic Approach

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