Mercedi Lutz-Bennett

25 Ryan Court
Telford, PA 18969
(610) 704-9138
Lutz.M@gmercyu.edu
OBJECTIVE
Enthusiastic, creative, assertive and highly motivated individual committed to personal and professional
excellence seeking to obtain a position as a professional school counselor in a collaborative and positive
school environment that allows me to utilize my ability to build relationships with students and be a
support in the academic environment to students, families, and staff.
EDUCATION
Gwynedd Mercy University, Gwynedd Valley, PA
Master of Science in School Counseling
GPA: 3.6; Honors
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Minor in Psychology
SCHOOL COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
Northbridge School, North Penn School District, Hatfield, PA
Montgomery Elementary School, North Penn School District, North Wales, PA
School Counseling Intern

May 2002

January 2016 March 2016

January 2016- March 2016

Provided individual counseling services related to topics including but not limited to: anger
management, respect, bullying, grief, transitioning to a new school, and friendship
De-escalated students when situations intensified and student required immediate attention
Designed and implemented small-group intervention for areas of need within the school population
Collaborated with administrators, teachers, and other counselors to determine how to best meet the
needs of students
Performed suicide, self-harm, and school violence risk assessments when needed
Assisted with high school course selection
Researched various requests of students including SATs, colleges, FASFA and insurances; then
reviewed information with students
Created, facilitated, and implemented large-group classroom guidance lesson plans

RELATED EXPERIENCE
North Penn School District
Paraprofessional

May 2016

2007-Present

Work effectively with children with special needs; specializing in Autism, learning support, emotional
support and behavioral support
Work with students on supplemental instruction; individually and in groups
Support teacher to maximize their ability to educate and guide classroom
Collaborate with classroom teachers and parents in tracking students daily progress
Prepare class material: teaching materials, copies and lamination allowing teacher more time to plan
lessons and perform direct teaching

Maintain materials necessary for each lesson; decorate bulletin boards, organize materials and books

T. W. Ponessa & Associates, Harrisburg, PA

Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS)

Provided one-on-one support to special education students based on their treatment plans to aide in
eliminating inappropriate behaviors
Assisted in fostering greater independence and socially responsible behaviors for children
Encouraged social integration and participation in group activities
Recorded data and charted student progress

Staffing Plus, Haverford, PA

Therapeutic Support Specialist (TSS)

2004-2005

Assisted school age children in achieving their individual behavioral plan goals
Monitored and recorded day-to-day progress of clients in regards to behavioral plan goals
Assisted in developing and implementing goals for at-risk children with behavioral challenges, ADD,
OCD, ODD, and Autism
Partnered with administrators, teachers, behavioral specialists and parents to promote the child's needs

Cumberland Valley Mental Health, Chambersburg, PA

Social Worker
Student Assistance Program Liaison
Internship Program

2005-2007

2002 - 2003
Spring Semester 2002

Conducted assessments, developed plans and coordinated the Student Assistant Program (SAP) in the
Franklin and Fulton County School Districts
Ensured objectives and requirements established by the SAP program were fully implemented
Facilitated support groups for grades K-12 and scheduled interviews for parent/teacher assessments
Prepared monthly evaluations, assessed current needs and made recommendations and referrals to the
SAP team

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American School Counselor Association
CERTIFICATIONS
SPA Certified: Safe & Positive Approaches for Preventing & Responding to Crisis
Adult, Child & Infant CPR & AED
Standard First Aid