Sara Penna Chapel Hill, NC | 518-466-2428 | sarapenna2428@gmail.com | sarapennacounselor.weebly.

com

Education
M.ED. | UNIVERISTY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, NC EXPECTED AUGUST, 2018
· Major: Professional School Counseling
· Scored 180 on the Praxis exam for school counselors MARCH, 2018
B.F.A AND B.A | ALFRED UNIVERSITY, NY DECEMBER, 2016
· Majors: Fine Arts and Psychology (Cum Laude) | Minor: Arts Management

Licensure
Advanced North Carolina School Counselor Licensure K-12 EXPECTED SEPTEMBER, 2018

Career Experience
SCHOOL COUNSELING INTERN | ENO RIVER ACADEMY, HILLSBOROUGH, NC AUGUST, 2017-JUNE, 2018
Direct and Responsive Services
Individual Counseling
· Conduct individual counseling sessions with students that focus on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: scheduling, learning,
studying techniques, coping strategies, and social skills; help students to process emotions, express concerns, and discuss wellness and
mental health. These meetings occur several times a day throughout the course of the school year.
Group Counseling
· Plan and implement sessions for small groups of students based on common need.
- Social Skill-Building:
▪ Sessions with 7th and 8th grade boys to build peer connections and develop social skills. Met three times a week.
- College and Career Preparation Group
▪ Four group sessions that are designed for 11th graders that wish to learn how to carry out their post-secondary plans. Students
discuss their goals, explore college and career options, practice filling out applications, begin college essays, and support each other
by working as a team. 100% of the students evaluated this group as effective and helpful.
Classroom Guidance and Advising Lessons
· Plan and deliver approximately 50 lessons to classes throughout the school year. Topics include: Introduction to the School Counselor,
Responsibility and Decision-making, Everyday Leadership, Empathy Vs. Sympathy, ACT and SAT Prep, SMART Goals, Resume-building,
Marketing Yourself for College, Building Resilience, and Conflict/Resolution.
- Diversity and Community-Building
▪ An extensive, six-lesson program written and delivered to 8th graders. Students learn about the importance of respect, diversity, and
building relationships while also exploring these topics through a historical lens.
- Growth Mindset
▪ Lessons delivered to Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms at Eno River Academy’s lower school campus. Students learn how to
think positively about themselves and how to develop a growth mindset through practice.
Interventions as a School Counselor
Needs Assessment
· Develop needs assessments to collect data within the school, which is then used to enhance the counseling program. Past assessments
include a survey for students to suggest desired topics for advising lessons and curriculum.
Consultation
· Establish communication between the counseling office and teachers, parents, and administration in order to develop plans to meet
students’ needs. These meetings occur approximately three times a week (as needed) throughout the school year.
· Develop and implement 504 plans, including accommodation requests for students on standardized tests.
Test Administration
· Administer and proctor standardized tests, including the PSAT, the PreACT, and the ACT.
Community Building and Planning
· Coordinate, plan, and deliver information sessions to parents, teachers, and students.
- College Planning Night
▪ Development and implementation of an information session for students and parents, which included presentations from myself and
guest speakers on post-secondary planning, college applications, testing, financial aid, and community college. Families left with an
information packet and additional resources. 94% of surveyed families evaluated the night as both successful and effective.
· Work as an advisor for student-run clubs, activities, and events.
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL | ARC OF THE TRIANGLE, CHAPEL HILL, NC SEPTEMBER, 2017 – JUNE, 2018
· Provide care to a child with a disability for approximately five hours a week by helping him achieve his goals, which include: working on life
skills, organization, social skills, and remaining active.
CAMP INSTRUCTOR | THALIAN ASSOCIATION, WILMINGTON, NC SUMMERS: 2016, 2017, 2018
· Create lesson plans and teach seven week-long summer camps that focus on visual arts and play. (Children aged 7-13).
· Co-counsel for several week-long camps, helping coordinate craft projects, plays, theater games, short films, etc. (Children aged 4-13).

Professional Memberships and Accomplishments

· American Counseling Association (ACA) JUNE, 2017 - PRESENT
· American School Counselor Association (ASCA) JUNE, 2017 - PRESENT
· Graduate Poster Presenter at North Carolina School Counselor Association Conference NOVEMBER, 2017
- “Adjusting to Significant Population Growth Within a School”
· CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross SEPTEMBER, 2017