Reno, Nevada, United States
An award winning advocate and facilitator; highly motivated & passionate youth worker (ages 6-23) with more than 15 years of experience in therapeutic, social work & educational fields. Extensive knowledge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Questioning/Queer (LGBTQ) community issues, in addition to HIV/STI education & prevention, addiction and grief counseling, and comprehensive, inclusive sex education- including consent/coersion. Consultant for Social Workers/Counselors. Bilingual Spanish/English.
“Healers & Community Builders: The Role of School Social Workers & Counselors in Combating Gender Based Violence- 16 Days of Activism”, CUNY City Tech Human Services Dept, New York, NY, December 9, 2019, Panelist “Counseling with LGBTQ+ Young People in Schools”, NYU in the Applied Psychology Dept, New York, NY, November 12, 2019, Facilitator Exploring Power, Privilege, & Oppression Training for School Leadership, New Visions For Public Schools CLASS, New York, NY April 14, 2016, Facilitator Getting to Know the Teen in Your Classroom, 3 PD mini-series for Teachers, New Visions Counseling Network Showcase, New York, NY June 1, 2015, Presenter “Transgender Basics” (in Spanish) for Promotores de Salud, Planned Parenthood, NYC, Dec 2015 "Transgender Basics", NASW NYC LGBT Chapter, New York, NY, March 2015, Trainer "Building a Non-Binary Transgender Movement", National Conference for LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Denver, CO, February 2015, Presenter
Peer Education Internship Trainer/Supervisor/Curriculum Writer, The LGBT Center, New York, NY, April 2008-December 2014 "Inside City Hall" Discussing Transgender Birth Certificate Legislation, NY1, New York, NY, November 2014, Panelist "AfrxLatinx Sex/uality Twitter Chat", The LatiNegr@s Project and Women of Color Sexual Health Network, New York, NY, October 2014, Panelist Transgender Public Health Panel, CUNY Hunter School of Public Health, New York, NY, May 2014, Panelist R.O.A.R. Trans Awareness Panel, The LGBT Center, New York, NY, May 2014, Panelist "Building a 'Community Of Inclusion' in Programs", National Association of AfterSchool Convention, March 2014, New York, NY, Presenter National Trans Leadership Academy, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, National, January 2014, Mentor Intergenerational & Intergender Forum & Community Dialogue with Martha Shelley, The LGBT Center, New York, NY, March 2011, Panelist Ways of Knowing: Adolescent Development Working with LGBT Adolescents, Silberman School of Social Work, New York, NY, October 2011, Facilitator SAGEWorks training with countrywide SAGE Directors, SAGE Conference, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY, November 2010, Facilitator & Trainer Adolescent Trainer/Supervisor, Police Athletic League, New York, NY, January 2003-August 2004 & Summer 2007
Social worker for Advanced Math & Science III High School, Brooklyn, NY August 2016-Present Social worker for Humanities II Charter High School, Bronx, NY December 2014- June 2016 - Founder and facilitator of Gender & Sexuality Alliance, now Social Justice Club, to support LGBTQ young people and allies through intersectionality, anti-racism, and education of our school community. - Leadership: Interim Assistant Principal 2022, Counseling Team Lead, School Leadership team, School Leader of Gates Foundation PostSecondary Grant, Supervisor of Advisory staff. - Member: Anti-Racism Working group, Network wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Crisis Intervention working groups. - Group/Individual Counseling: academics, emotional and behavioral management, bereavement, positive/responsible decision-making & family support circles. Facilitate mediations with students, staff, and families. - Staff trainer on professional development opportunities and SEL, de-escalation, power, privilege and oppression, restorative practices, relationship building, group dynamics and facilitation, individual teacher coaching. - Maintain data records of all youth interactions, academic and SEL services provided. Present data trends to leadership and New Visions Network. - Create & facilitate monthly Family School Alliance (FSA) sessions for families- Bullying, Internet Safety, Adolescent Development, Mental Health & Selfcare, College Process, etc. - Design and implement Life Skills SEL infused advisory lessons to develop student skills. - As college/career advisor, support more vulnerable scholars one on one to assess their post secondary process. - As cohort counselor, work with the assistant principal to address credit gaps, workforce development, applications to summer programs/internships. - Special Needs Coordinator on Building Response Team (BRT) and CPR first responder in case of emergencies.
Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Advisor (2018-2020) Martial Arts Instructor, (2017-2020) SEL Support Teacher for the Drama Club (2017-2018) Support teacher for Debate Team, Social Justice Club, Photography, and Fun Fridays (2016-2017)