Lifelong learner and educator, and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a Master of Science degree in Education, and certification in Special Education K-12 physical and mental health. Experienced Social Studies teacher, transitioning to health and wellness coaching, skilled in learning and interacting with people of all ages, demographics, and backgrounds. Non-judgmental, and client-focused, passionate about helping others through kindness, empathy, compassion, and understanding.
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA • Master of Science in Special Education – 2007 • Bachelor of Science in Education, Social Studies – 1991
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING • National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach -2021 • Certificate – WellCoaches, Lifestyle Medicine-2023, Exercise, Nutrition, and Holistic Wellness – 2020 • Spiritual Ethics, Religious Counseling, Grief and Loss Counseling – 2020 • Special Education, K-12 ID/MH, Gifted certification –2002 • K-12 Principal Certification, -2011 • Behavior Analysis (BCBA) completed 9 of 18 credits.
Work History HEALTH AND WELL-BEING COACH/CONTRACT FACILITATOR DAD’S MATTER December 2023-Present • SpringHealth/MeetCoach App/Private Industry Council (PIC) of PA • Helping people develop personalized strategies, to set achievable goals, and implement their Action Plan • Health and Wellness Coaching in areas of Nutrition, Physical activity Stress management and resiliency (Toughness), Sleep habits, Mindfulness, Self-care • Personal Development Coaching in areas of Life transitions, Identity support, Career growth, Improved communication, Self-development, Work-life balance • Parenting Coaching in areas of Communication, Instilling resilience (toughness), Grief and loss, Behavioral concerns, Neurodiverse advocacy and education, Academic readiness and stress • DADS MATTER is a voluntary fatherhood program designed to support dads in resolving barriers. • This program encourages dads to be the BEST that they can be and consists of services using evidence-based curricula Encourage Responsible Fatherhood, Healthy Marriage/Relationships, Economic Stability, and Workforce Trainings to improve employment skills and attain job certifications.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING COACH March 2021 - Present Educare Mind, Body, & Soul LLC – Uniontown, PA • Apply wisdom and knowledge as an Educator with 20 years of experience in understanding individual learning styles and building on strengths to achieve academic well-being. • Achieve client transformation through active mindful listening and compassionate client engagement. • Achieve well-being in clients by assisting them to understand their strengths and obstacles, implementing the “You Model” of behavioral change and help the release of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. • Conduct group well-being sessions for adults in different age groups, to address current lifestyle challenges. • Blend the Well Coaches model for behavioral change with Mindful Listening, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness-Based Therapy and Meditation.
SOCIAL STUDIES/SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER Aug 2003 - Present Albert Gallatin School District – Uniontown, PA • Use learning management systems to provide instruction in Social Studies/Special Education/English Language Arts K-5, supporting struggling learners through a curriculum designed to meet unique needs. • Introduce engaging content and differentiated instruction, multisensory approaches, and comprehensive support for academic success. • Designed and implemented a high school-level Health and Well-Being curriculum. • Provide a safe and supportive environment, allowing students to tap into individual strengths. • Develop and implement IEP, accounting for the child’s level of academic achievement, functional performance, impact of disabilities on progress and function, annual goals, and special education and related services. • Advocate holistic education as a means of cultivating physical, emotional, moral, psychological, and spiritual attributes, serving the whole child with opportunities personalized to skills and feelings.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR Dec 2011 – Dec 2013 California University of Pennsylvania – California, OA • Taught Field Experience in Secondary Education, and Teaching in Multicultural Society courses. • Motivated students, promoted self-esteem and reinforced self-efficacy in these future educators. • Encouraged students to recognize and embrace their cultural heritage and understand their biases and prejudice toward other groups, comparing values, beliefs, and practices of diverse groups in a multicultural society. • Supervised and evaluated the work of student teachers through classroom observation.
BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST/MOBILE THERAPIST Jun 2007 – Aug 2016 Autism Educational Research Institute/Stern Center/Connellsville Counseling – Connellsville, PA • Provided therapeutic services to children and adults with ADHD/MH/ID diagnosis, helping resolve difficult challenges by developing treatment plans and strategies and measuring outcomes. • Built a community support network by communicating and collaborating on best practices. • Developed and implemented Behavior and Crisis Plans with interventions.
FAMILY PRESERVATION SPECIALIST/INSTRUCTOR/CASEWORKER 1996 - 2003 Pressley Ridge Schools – Uniontown, PA • Treated children and families with mental health issues to maintain the family unit while delivering tools and techniques for improving and maintaining relationships. • Worked with a challenging population of children, youth, and adolescents with behavioral issues, developmental disabilities, physical delays, and mental health concerns. • Provided drug and alcohol counseling and one-on-one interventions.
• Coached Varsity and Junior Varsity High School Football/Active participant in community events • Developed a Peer Mentoring Program and Sponsored Albert Gallatin Teens Against Bullying Club • Created and implemented the Green Club and a recycling program at the high school • Member, Student Assistance Program (SAP)/Safety Team • Organized Operation Christmas Child “shoe boxes” /Instructed CCD classes for Saint Francis of Assisi
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Do you ever find yourself wondering where your get-up-and-go went? Thinking, I need to “get rid” of my stress. I need to start eating better or healthier. I need to be more active. I wish I could get a good night’s sleep. I NEED MORE ENERGY. If I could just lose a few pounds. If I could slow this "mind chatter". What if we approach our health and well-being as if we are eating a dinosaur, one bite at a time. We often overestimate what we can accomplish in one year, but we greatly underestimate what we can achieve in three years.I am a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach with a Lifestyle Medicine certificate. I have a M.Ed., in special education physicalmental health, social sciences, psychology, and principal K-12. My experience as an educator, Behavioral Specialist, and a Health and Well-being coach has provided me with opportunities to learn and relate with people from all ages, demographics, and cultural backgrounds. My professional and personal experiences have taught me that we all have strengths in our stories. Let me be a part of your journey as you rediscover your strengths.My experience, my education, and my life has prepared me to be your coach. My journey began years ago, after a series of life’s events showed to me that I needed to make a change. Health and Wellness Coaching enabled me and my loved ones to make that change.Personal Development and Health and Wellness is about learning your strengths. Getting rid of the guilt, shame, regret, etc. that weighs us down. By building upon your strengths, you become the best version of yourself. Life can be tough. By learning self-compassion and understanding how our mental health affects our physical health. I heard a quote once, “Life doesn’t get any better, we just have to get better at living it.” Health and Wellness coaching can help you develop the skills needed to “get better at living it.”Spiritual Wellness. Do you believe in the afterlife? Do you believe in strengthening your soul? I studied various philosophies, religions, and ancient cultures and had my own spiritual journey. I discovered, whether it was the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, the Three-Fold Path, or the myths of the Ancient Greeks, etc., they all had one common theme we humans are works in progress. We respond best to kindness, forgiveness, compassion, empathy and love.Injury and Recovery Well-Being Coaching. You are the queen or king at backyard sports, whether on the court, on the field, or in the rink, you give it your all. One day, you are in the zone and you hear either “snap, crack, pop or maybe all three. What next? The healing can be daunting, but what is just as daunting is the loss of your independence, financial stress, and the physical and mental pain with an injury.Aging Loved Ones Well-Being Coaching. We watched my parents slowly lose their independence. We didn’t realize it was happening. My sisters and I were unprepared, for the extra duties and for the reality that our parents are on the last leg of their journey. It teaches you to appreciate the impermanence of life. The most precious thing we have is time. I can aid you and your loved ones on this journey. We will embrace the love that lights the world on fire. The Greeks call it Agape or love in action and there is no greater form of love. As we travel life’s journey sometimes, we have to do the heavy lifting. Let me help lighten the load.I blend evidence-based practices, education, and engaging activities with Positive Psychology. I like to compare my coaching to a farmer planting seeds. You are the soil, together we water, feed, nurture, and create healthy soil for the seeds to grow in. People rarely make long-term change by being told what to do. I team up with clients to create action plans, brainstorm, create long and short-term goals, and provide support.I believe in a non-judgmental, client-focused safe space. I am passionate about helping others. You are the expert in your life. Only you know your passions and can unlock your purpose. You will notice these minor changes begin to have major impacts you may even notice that feeling of joy. We desire quick fixes, from fast food to our electronic devices. We want instant results. What if there are no quick fixes to our health? “Inch by inch life’s a cinch”. Ask yourself, how will that food fuel my mind and body? Is stressing about sitting in traffic or waiting in line, really stressing or just a bother? Do I really need all that drama from the news and social media? How should I let go of the baggage that is holding me back?
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