School Counseling Resume

1. MELISSA MCCONNELL
570 Lyn Ave Idaho Falls Idaho 83401 · 208-520-2574
mccomeli@isu.edu
OBJECTIVE
A passionate advisor with a desire to obtain employment as a school counselor.
PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
• One year working as a High School Counselor supporting students' social, emotional, and
academic needs to maximize student potential.
• Four years developing a College and Career Readiness program incorporating classroom
presentations, community events, and student academic advising.
• Eighteen years developing, educating, implementing, and maintaining services for Adults with
Developmental Disabilities to increase independence.
• Seventeen years developing and providing training to providers, schools, students, families,
clients, and business colleagues.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BONNEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT #93 Idaho Falls, ID
High School Counselor 08/2020 to present
• Creating student schedules to optimize student learning and facility resources.
• Support students' emotional needs to improve academic success.
• Serve as a first contact point for students and families new to the school.
• Supported students with academic challenges to help them achieve educational goals.
• Collaborated with the special education department to create a peer mentoring program.
• Serve as the mediator between students, parents, and staff to manage conflict at school.
• Intervene in student crisis during school hours.
BONNEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT #93 Idaho Falls, ID
College and Career Advisor 08/2016 to present
• Developed College, Career Mentor Program at Hillcrest and Thunder Ridge High School
• Assist students in identifying post-secondary plans and identify appropriate resources to
achieve their post-secondary goals.
• Educate parents, students, and faculty on College and Career readiness and Advanced
Opportunities offered throughout Idaho.
• Collaborate with college representatives, community partners, college representatives to
develop effective means of getting information and resources to students and families.
• Organize, present and facilitate school-wide events such as College Application Week,
FAFSA Night, Scholarship Night, Student Opportunity Fair, and "Financing your Future" to
educate the community about available resources.
• Maintain student records for 2000 students to ensure student progress toward college and
career readiness.
• Worked to develop cross-curriculum use of College and Career readiness tools within the
high school to comply with the state's mandated 4-year Education plan requirement.
• Utilized community resources to optimize student and staff opportunities.

2. IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Ammon, ID
Lead Independent Assessment Provider 05/2008 to 08/2016
• Conduct sensitive in-person interviews, administer functional assessments, and determine
program eligibility using state and federal criteria.
• Collaborate with schools to provide a Parents Night to educate families for transitioning into
adult services.
• Utilized statewide database to track sensitive client information and ensure that accurate
appropriation of state funds.
•
BELMONT MANAGEMENT Pocatello, ID
Program Coordinator/ QIDP 05/2002 to 06/2008
• Developed residential service plans, coordinated with the interdisciplinary team to identify
and implement appropriate client services to improve client success.
• Completed functional assessments to identify clients' individual needs.
• Piloted first Residential Habilitation Program, doubling the number of clients served.
• Provided training to agencies to start up new programs to increase program availability
statewide.
• Scheduled classes at the Idaho Health Care conference to determine the highest attendance
while minimalizing scheduling conflicts.
• Lead and organized Multidisciplinary team meetings.
EDUCATION
MASTER OF EDUCATION: SCHOOL COUNSELING In progress
Chadron State College, Chadron, NE, United States
BACHELOR OF ARTS: SECONDARY EDUCATION
Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, United States 2001
College of Education ASISU Student Senate Emphasis in Spanish
SECONDARY EDUCATION
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States 1999
VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
2021-Board Member and Youth Services Coordinator- Bonneville Youth Development Coalition
2021-Volunteer Provided scholarship classes and FAFSA night at LIV Center
2020- STEM Action Center Extern INL K-12 Educational Outreach
2019-2020 Next Steps Ambassador for Regions 5 and 6 in Idaho
2015-2019- AFS Liaison for students placed in host families in Southeast Idaho.