Cynthia Soares

Experience

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  GRIDLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2017

  Advanced goals of school as assistant principal and lead counselor to 450 students and 45 staff. Member of leadership team to maintain and evaluate MTSS. Introduced PBIS and provided professional development on behavior support plans, trauma, suicide, and school-community connections. Oversaw implementation of surveys and evaluation of data collected.° Increased attendance by 2%; created School Attendance Review Board (SARB) and launched Attention2Attendance° Provided early intervention services to 15% more students with launch of Sycamore Scholars, a behavior expectations program to early identify at-risk students° Authored and delivered 30+ trainings, covering SEL, suicide and bullying prevention, PBIS, and more to audiences of 150+ Show less Headed counseling services for 1200+ students across 3 campuses. Provided individual/group counseling, launched Peer Helpers program, and introduced Student Risk Screening Scale to improve early detection of social and emotional issues.° Visioned and built school counseling program from scratch, assessing teacher and student needs, evaluating pre/post surveys, and leading training and rollout of program° Created local “Response to Intervention” program, addressing both academic and behavior side of MTSS for all students° Built partnerships with 10+ community organizations, increasing counseling and wrap-around services for youth° Secured $1M+ in grants for drug free communities, policing partnerships, character education, and more Show less

  • Assistant Principal | Lead Counselor

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2017

  • School Counselor

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2014
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  University of La Verne

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2010

  Adjunct Professor

  Authored curriculum, delivered lectures, and mentored 100+ students for Master in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential.

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  Connections

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2013

  Social Emotional Learning Consultant

  Presented, educated, and trained superintendents, district staff, parents, and educators on Conscious Discipline (CD), a brain based SEL model supporting parents, children, and teachers. ° Authored and delivered 100’s of 1-hour presentations and 2-day workshops to audiences of 800+

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  Twin Rivers Unified School District

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Learning and Guidance Specialist | Assistant Principal

  Led programming for 14+ K-6 students in intensive behavior and academic support setting. Revamped interventions and counseling supports, mentored staff, and initiated yoga and art programs to improve student and staff emotional regulation.° Successfully reintegrated 2 students to traditional school within 8 months° Reduced restraint use by 70%, retraining staff and delivering counseling and support for teachers

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  Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter

  Jan 2018 - now

  Director

  Promoted to Director within one year to serve as academic program and student services leader for innovative charter school focused on Career Technical Education. Oversee 26 staff, 250+ students and $2.4M budget. Hire, train, and mentor team, maximize academic achievement, enhance counseling services, and utilize data to evaluate outcomes. Manage operating budget, LCAP/LCFF funding, and grant monies.° Design and implement Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), collaborating with education and behavioral health partners to identify and support students in need° Create Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), launching program, training staff, and evaluating outcomes° Deliver 6-year accreditation from Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) ° Achieve 100% success in CA Department of Education Civil Rights review° Spearhead improvements in critical areas: reduced chronic absenteeism, boosted 1-year graduation rate, achieved decrease in annual dropout rate, increased sustainable student enrollment, and improved CASSPP level 2, 3, and 4 scores in English language arts and math Show less