Kia Marchee’ Rucker
Whites Creek
Summary
Dedicated and adaptable professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School
KIPP Nashville Public Schools
Nashville
07.2024 - Current
- Build relationships and collaborate with external education and social services professionals to develop appropriate agency services for students and families
- Participate in weekly intervention meetings to thought partner with teachers around social and emotional supports
- Facilitate workshops and other learning opportunities for families
- Conduct home visits that support families to meet KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary expectations and increases student/family involvement
- Participate on school staff teams to develop policies and practices to proactively build school culture including opportunities for team-building and collaboration among students
- Help drive a school-wide atmosphere that suits the needs to our students, teachers, and families
- Facilitate professional development for teachers to help them understand child development and how it affects student performance academically and social/emotionally
- Drive social and emotional intervention plans for our most high need students
- Run individual and group counseling sessions with research-based social and emotional practices
- Assist students, teachers, and families to develop solutions to family and community factors that influence students’ capacity or ability to learn
- Complete high-quality progress notes for all students receiving counseling services weekly
- Conduct interviews with a student, family members, and KIPP staff members to gather information about each student’s social, emotional and behavioral needs; help all constituents integrate information to best meet the student’s needs
- Conduct observations to gather data in order to determine best options for interventions
- Create professional learning goals each year and implement feedback towards these goals
- Offer support to and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to growth and improvement
- Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents and share progress
- Be available for open houses, parent teacher conferences and other events involving parents
- Make oneself available to students, parents and other staff members
- Pursue challenging professional goals each year
- Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement
- Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year (held during school hours)
School Counselor
Metro Nashville Public Schools (Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School)
Nashville
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.
- Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
- Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
- Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
Head of Student Care and Wellbeing
Vanderbilt University(Vanderbilt Summer Academy)
Nashville
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Establish and communicate an environment of support to staff and students.
- Serve as a resource to students who may need that extra guidance when dealing with any of the following issues: personal, academic, relational, family or when struggling with a group dynamic.
- Serve as a resource to staff such as: area coordinators, proctors, and teaching assistants on how to properly support students in their groups/classes.
- Facilitate communication across the program when student issues come to the surface, helping to bring necessary parties together in service of the student.
- Empower proctors and teaching assistants to engage with their students in respectful, meaningful, and thoughtful ways.
- Handle unexpected student issues, including but not limited to: student illness, violations of stated community code of conduct, anxiety attacks, etc.
- Develop accessibility accommodations and strategies for students/staff who have limited mobility or have shown difficulty participating in VSA activities.
- Be highly mature and able to assist with the management of a residential community of a summer academic program for teens.
- Engage willingly as a team player with humor, enthusiasm and a compassionate understanding of middle and high school students.
- Enthusiastically adapt and pivot as needed to ensure optimal, engaging, and safe student experiences.
- Assist the Head/Assistant Head of Health Systems with emergency medical visits to urgent care or the hospital as needed.
- Be willing to complete driving requirements in order to operate a university designated vehicle.
- Create daily reflection questions to be discussed among students in proctor group meetings.
- Support and counsel students struggling with anxiety, homesickness, making friends, adapting to the program, etc.
- Create opportunities to boost and support staff morale.
- Engage with students in the dining hall.
- Check in with students regularly who were referred to Student Support or have written support plans.
- Work closely with other leadership team members to accomplish program goals and address problems in a timely manner.
- Serve as support, guide, and resource to proctors and office staff in all aspects of their multi-faceted roles.
- Exemplify VSA’s purpose, identify and communicate the cornerstones of a respectful residential and academic community and serve as a role model for all staff and students.
- Uphold and enforce all program and University rules as outlined in staff and student handbooks.
- Thrive in a fast-paced, demanding work environment that requires continuing flexibility, a positive and caring attitude, and collaboration.
- Must be familiar with the responsibilities of being a mandatory reporter.
- Adhere to PTY’s policies related to confidentiality.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
School Counselor
Rutherford County Schools (LaVergne High School)
LaVergne
07.2019 - 06.2022
- Fully manage caseload of approx. 500 students, grades 9 through 12.
- Assist students with the college admissions process, acquisition of study skills, academic opportunities, and benefits.
- Delivers individual and group guidance curriculum supporting student development.
- Analyzes student data and develops data-driven intervention program action plans.
- Provided responsive services to individuals or groups on academic and personal issues.
- Distributes feedback and recommends appropriate action and solutions to individual student’s educational needs and abilities.
- Participates in school’s Crisis Team and procedures.
- Communicates, coordinates, and collaborates with behavioral health specialists on developing and implementing student supports.
School Counselor
Cheatham County Schools (Sycamore High School)
Pleasant View
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Fully managed a caseload of over 350 students, grades 9 through 12.
- Provided individual counseling for students' academic, personal and social needs.
- Conducted classroom guidance for assigned grade levels and led parent and teacher conferences.
- Assisted in the set-up of the master schedule each year and enrolled students in appropriate courses.
- Conducted classroom guidance regarding career and course decisions and the development of students’ four-year plans.
- Approved students for graduation and aided with the university and scholarship application process.
- Attended various continuing education conferences such as crisis and trauma response training.
- Demonstrated strong leadership and presentation skills by facilitating and/or coordinating IEP's and 504’s.
- Initiated various plans of action to promote school attendance for students with school’s Attendance Committee.
Restorative Interventionist
Knox County Schools (Holston Middle School)
Knoxville
07.2017 - 05.2018
- Informed and prepared participants for restorative circles and/or dialogues.
- Contacted parents/guardians to invite or inform about a restorative meeting.
- Supported the facilitation of Restorative Practices along a continuum to include individual student conversations, small group circles and conferences, to small group supervision for an extended period of time.
- Provided direct supervision to small groups of students and facilitate completion of academic assignments outside the classroom setting.
- Provided participants, parents and appropriate staff with agreement/outcome of restorative process.
- Followed up on all restorative meetings to ensure agreements are upheld.
- Worked with school staff to analyze data to identify racial and other disparities and collaboratively work to develop improvement plans to reduce disproportionate discipline practices.
- Provided regular Restorative Practice updates at school staff meetings.
- Identified and build relationships with school, parent and community stakeholders.
- Collaborated with school staff and provide tiered levels of support within the Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions framework.
- Achieved and maintain certification in district-approved positive behavior intervention training program that requires the demonstration of proper physical and verbal de-escalation techniques used during a potential crisis situation.
- Attended in-service, staff development activities and other required meetings.
- Participated in local, state, or national staff development activities as requested.
- Stayed abreast of current research and best practices in the field of Restorative Practices.
- Maintained appropriate documentation as determined by the supervisor.
- Reported directly to the assigned Supervisor.
Youth Career Specialist
Workforce Connections (Knox- CAC)
Knoxville
01.2015 - 07.2017
- Provided information to the public about the program.
- Organized and maintains files and records.
- Conducted computer input into system's database.
- Collected, synthesized, and provided information to clients on labor market needs; educational opportunities at the American Job Center, community, employment, and support resources.
- Assisted with youth intakes and provides technical assistance for eligibility.
- Allotted direct services to caseload of designated youth.
- Developed or researched, implemented, documented, and evaluated tactics in assessment, ISS development, case management, & follow-up.
- Recorded case notes and other case management duties on assigned youth.
- Coordinated and develops program activities with other youth staff, including ordering and maintaining supplies needed for activities, setting up transportation, developing flyers and arranging for speakers.
- Used appropriate individual and group counseling techniques to assist clients with career decisions and career development planning leading to employment and self sufficiency.
- Assisted with development and conduct of orientation for summer and year-round work experience.
- Supplied tutoring for youth in a group setting and on an individual basis, as needed.
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Knox County Schools (Powell High School)
Knoxville
06.2015 - 10.2015
- Dedicated to training the whole player and not just the athlete.
- Possessed ability to help develop strong training programs.
- Assisted in organizing and conducting practices.
- Used fine communication and presentation skills to players and parents.
- Enriched strong counseling skills to players when needed.
- Worked hard to maintain team harmony and strong teammate bonds.
- Offered help towards planning and attending fundraisers.
- Seized head coach position towards the Junior Varsity league.
Program Director/ Youth Development Associate
Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley
Knoxville
09.2012 - 01.2015
- Allocated proper duties and inform staff on requirements and policies from specific government departments (Department of Child Services, Department of Education, Health Department, etc.).
- Administered specific grant-based programs annually (Smart Moves, Smart Girls, Abstinence and Brain Gain).
- Coordinated weekly educational, health, character and leadership, and life-skill programs and lesson plans.
- Managed and organized office documents for specific grant proposals.
- Conducted annual/monthly/weekly reports.
- Enrolled over 100 members’ applications into Visions Database.
- Mentored children on various circumstances and dilemmas.
- Educated members daily on the value of several key morals.
- Tutored members on homework and/or areas of improvement regarding academics.
- Coached members in select sports for specified tournaments and grants.
- Discussed future beneficial tasks for child with parents.
- Examined and record each child’s behavior and productivity daily.
- Deliberated with Board Members and other staff on future ideas and suggestions for the children.
- Assured all children’s safety.
Education
Education Specialist - School Counseling
University of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg08.2021
Masters of Education - School Counseling
Lincoln Memorial University
Knoxville05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville08.2013
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Leadership skills
- Team player
- Decision making
- Critical thinking
- Organizing
- Planning
- Initiative
- Cultural sensitivity
- Building rapport
- Multicultural settings
- Conflict resolution
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Collaboration with professionals
- Student advocacy
- Problem solving
- Emotional support
- Active listening
- Career counseling
Awards
- Governor Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill Award, 05/01/13
- Completion of Global Career Development Facilitator Training, 01/01/16
Certification
- Professional School Service-10 year
Timeline
KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School
KIPP Nashville Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
Head of Student Care and Wellbeing
Vanderbilt University(Vanderbilt Summer Academy)
05.2023 - 07.2023
School Counselor
Metro Nashville Public Schools (Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School)
07.2022 - 05.2024
School Counselor
Rutherford County Schools (LaVergne High School)
07.2019 - 06.2022
School Counselor
Cheatham County Schools (Sycamore High School)
07.2018 - 07.2019
Restorative Interventionist
Knox County Schools (Holston Middle School)
07.2017 - 05.2018
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Knox County Schools (Powell High School)
06.2015 - 10.2015
Youth Career Specialist
Workforce Connections (Knox- CAC)
01.2015 - 07.2017
Program Director/ Youth Development Associate
Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley
09.2012 - 01.2015
Education Specialist - School Counseling
University of The Cumberlands
Masters of Education - School Counseling
Lincoln Memorial University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Tennessee
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