Charla Gillespie
Bowie
Summary
Professional counselor with robust background in educational support and student development. Proven track record of guiding students through academic and personal challenges, resulting in improved school performance and well-being. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability, ensuring reliable support for both students and staff. Key skills include conflict resolution and program development, valued for strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional School Counselor
Prince George’s County Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
- Evaluated the effectiveness of counseling interventions through ongoing assessment and analysis of measurable outcomes.
- Developed comprehensive guidance programs for diverse student populations, fostering positive school environments.
- Assisted parents in understanding their child''s academic progress through regular communication and meetings.
- Streamlined communication between administration, teachers, parents, and students by developing an efficient referral system for counseling services.
- Collaborated with teachers to identify students'' needs and develop appropriate interventions for improved academic achievement.
- Supported special education students by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create personalized learning plans.
- Established partnerships with community organizations to provide additional resources for families in need.
- Mentored aspiring counselors through intern supervision, sharing knowledge about best practices within the profession.
- Encouraged social-emotional development through small group sessions focused on self-awareness, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
Community Schools Liason
Prince George's County Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Collaborated with principal, staff, families, and community partners to identify needs in the school community.
- Coordinated Capital Area Food Bank family food markets to provide school and community members with safe and healthy foods for their families.
- Provided monthly parent engagement opportunities to support students academic and social-emotional development.
- Maintained a high degree of professionalism at all times, representing the organization with integrity in both internal and external interactions.
- Served as a central point of contact for wraparound services provided to students and families in the school community.
Maryland ProStart Student Invitational State and National Competition
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
- The ProStart Invitational competition is a scholarship cooking competition at the state and national levels
- Competition consists of a Business Management team tasked with developing and presenting a business plan for a hypothetical restaurant and a Culinary Team competition tasked with developing and executing a high-end restaurant meal
- Coached successive teams of students in both Business Management and the Culinary competitions
- Bowie High School fielded, over successive years, teams that consistently took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors at the state level
- On two years of competition, the Bowie Culinary Team took 1st place honors at the state level and traveled to compete against other state teams at the National ProStart Invitation Competition
- To date, Bowie High School students have received in excess of $500,000 worth of post-secondary scholarships to further their education in the areas of culinary arts, hospitality management, and food science
- Coached and Sponsored a student awarded the honor of Maryland Pro Start Student of the Year
Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP)
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
- CCAP is a scholarship cooking and academic competition
- Coached students in the scholarship application process, preparing their academic packages, and practicing cooking skills for competition
- To date, Bowie High School students have received in excess of $500,000 worth of post-secondary scholarships to further their education in the areas of culinary arts, hospitality management, and food science
Certified Test Administrator and Proctor
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
- Administered/proctored the national ServSafe, Pro Start I, and Pro Start II exams
- Managed/evaluated test data and updated curriculum content to improve student preparation for national exams
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Prince George’s County Public Schools
01.2008 - 01.2021
- Taught Food and Nutrition and Food Trends and Technology, grades nine through twelve
- Used a variety of teaching methods and strategies to teach students healthy eating habits as well as explored a variety of careers in the food science and nutrition industry
- Taught Pro Start I, Pro Start II and Pro Start Internship to juniors and seniors
- This program focuses on students who have an interest in pursuing culinary arts and food-service careers
- Students learn skills in class and gain work experience outside of class
- Taught Child Development for one year with both students and preschoolers
- Operated a full-day, student-run preschool program
- Parent and Student Facilitator for College Preparation – conducted workshops for students to complete college applications and FAFSA forms for college funding, sponsored guest college speakers, and wrote student recommendation letters
- Mastery of technology-based platforms used for remote and in-person instruction – Zoom, Google Suite, Pear Deck, Nearpod, Kahoot, Quizizz, Flipgrid, Jamboard, and Rouxbe online cooking school
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher and Department Chair
Hardin County Schools
01.1999 - 01.2007
- Served as department chair for the entire Career and Technology Education (CTE) department responsible for managing each area’s budget, federal data, Carl Perkin’s information input and CATS testing information
- Taught Commercial Foods to students interested in pursuing a career in the area of culinary arts and food science
- Students learned basic skills, culinary math, and advertising and marketing skills
- Operated the Trojan Cafe, an in-school, student-run restaurant serving meals to teachers and providing catering services to school events
- Students gained experience with customer service, food preparation, ordering, financial management, and marketing
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Killeen Independent School District
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Taught Life Skills, Food and Nutrition, and Basic Sewing Construction courses to students in grades 9-12
- Served as Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and FCCLA club sponsor to local, regional, and state officers
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Bracken County Schools
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Taught Life Skills, Child Development, and Relationships courses, grades 9-12
- Served as Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, FCCLA club sponsor, and assistant volleyball coach
Residential Houseparent
Buckhorn Children’s Centers, Dessie Scott Children’s Home
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Worked with teenage young women with emotional, psychological, and behavioral problems in a residential treatment setting
- Taught/Coached/Counseled residents with daily life skills, educational goals, and coping skills to successfully navigate the treatment program
- Met with students daily in a group setting to work on communication, conflict resolution, and coping skills regarding their individualized treatment plans, as well as daily living with others in a home-like setting
Education
Rank I - School Counseling Grades K-12
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky01.2006
Master of Science - School Counseling Grades K-12
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Vocational Home Economics
Morehead State University
Morehead, Kentucky01.1992
Skills
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Professional ethics
- Multicultural competence
- Self-care strategies
- Behavioral assessment
- Special education support
- Social-emotional learning
Professional Affiliations And Accomplishments
- Prince George's County Public Schools Outstanding Employee, 2017
- City of Bowie Educator of Excellence, 2017
- Maryland Pro Start Teacher of the Year- Maryland Restaurant Association Education Foundation, 2015
- National Pro Start Educator of Excellence- National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, 2015
- National Education Association (NEA)
- Prince George’s County Education Association (PGCEA)
Other Relevant Experience
- Certified Test Administrator and Proctor, 01/01/11, Present, Administered/proctored the national ServSafe, Pro Start I, and Pro Start II exams., Managed/evaluated test data and updated curriculum content.
- Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), 01/01/11, Present, Coached students in the scholarship application process., Students have received in excess of $500,000 worth of post-secondary scholarships.
- Maryland ProStart Student Invitational State and National Competition, 01/01/11, Present, Coached successive teams of students in both Business Management and Culinary competitions., Students have received in excess of $500,000 worth of post-secondary scholarships.
Timeline
Community Schools Liason
Prince George's County Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2024
Professional School Counselor
Prince George’s County Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
Maryland ProStart Student Invitational State and National Competition
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP)
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
Certified Test Administrator and Proctor
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2011 - 06.2021
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Prince George’s County Public Schools
01.2008 - 01.2021
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher and Department Chair
Hardin County Schools
01.1999 - 01.2007
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Killeen Independent School District
01.1994 - 01.1998
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Bracken County Schools
01.1993 - 01.1994
Residential Houseparent
Buckhorn Children’s Centers, Dessie Scott Children’s Home
01.1992 - 01.1993
Master of Science - School Counseling Grades K-12
Western Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science - Vocational Home Economics
Morehead State University
Rank I - School Counseling Grades K-12
Western Kentucky University
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