Sonya Magil John Varkey
Wilmette
Summary
Accomplished School Counselor at Dewitt Clinton Elementary School, highly adept in crisis intervention, group and personalized counseling sessions. Enhanced student resilience and reduced disciplinary incidents by 20% through proactive conflict mediation. Collaborated with educators and parents to foster a supportive environment, promoting mental health awareness and academic success. Exemplary leadership skills developed through spearheading the Behavioral Health Team, College and Career Readiness team, and as an active participant on the Wellness Committee, the Culture and Climate Committee.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Dewitt Clinton Elementary School
6110 N. Fairfield Avenue
08.2016 - Current
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to identify areas of need within the school population, leading to targeted interventions and support services.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Coordinated efforts with community organizations to provide additional resources for students facing various challenges.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
- Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.
- Developed and conducted workshops and seminars to educate students, faculty and parents on relevant topics in field.
- Empowered parents/guardians involvement in their children''s education via organizing educational workshops and providing resources on academic, career, and personal/social development.
- Promoted mental health awareness among staff members through training programs on topics such as stress management, self-care, and recognizing warning signs in students.
- Contributed to development of effective school policies that addressed issues such as attendance, discipline, and substance abuse prevention.
- Reduced disciplinary incidents through proactive conflict resolution strategies that encouraged open communication between all parties involved.
- Increased awareness of post-secondary options by organizing college and career readiness workshops and events.
- Enhanced faculty collaboration through regular consultation on classroom management strategies, behavioral interventions, or other support measures needed for student success.
- Improved student resilience by designing and facilitating group counseling sessions focused on stress management.
- Supported students through crisis intervention services, providing immediate assistance and long-term recovery plans.
- Fostered supportive and inclusive school environment by implementing comprehensive counseling programs.
- Improved student attendance rates by identifying and addressing underlying issues through targeted counseling interventions.
Case Manager/Counselor
Alexander Hamilton Elementary School
1650 W. Cornelia Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
08.2009 - 07.2016
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
- Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
- Contributed to team discussions and case conferences actively, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to optimize client support strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address client needs and formulate tailored support strategies.
- Fostered open lines of communication with clients'' families and support networks, involving them in the case management process as appropriate.
- Strengthened relationships with community organizations to increase access to supportive resources for clients in need.
- Streamlined case documentation procedures, reducing processing time and increasing efficiency.
- Developed and implemented individualized behavior plans to assist students with achieving academic and behavioral goals.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Supported students transitioning between grade levels by working with teachers to develop effective transition plans aimed at minimizing potential challenges during adjustment periods.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Collaborated with teachers and other school personnel to create individualized education plans for students with special needs.
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL08-2008
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
Columbia College, Chicago
Chicago, IL06-1998
Bachelor of Arts - English
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago05-1994
Skills
- Personalized counseling sessions
- Conflict mediation
- Suicide prevention
- Crisis intervention
Affiliations
American School Counseling Association, member
Illinois School Counseling Association, member
Timeline
School Counselor
Dewitt Clinton Elementary School
08.2016 - Current
Case Manager/Counselor
Alexander Hamilton Elementary School
08.2009 - 07.2016
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Northeastern Illinois University
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
Columbia College, Chicago
Bachelor of Arts - English
Loyola University Chicago