Kimberly Vazquez
Los Angeles
Summary
Dedicated School Counselor experienced in academic advising, social-emotional learning, and college readiness for high school students. Expertise includes individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and data-informed decision-making. Focused on creating equitable learning environments that support students' academic and emotional development, while ensuring successful postsecondary transitions.
Overview
1
1
Certification
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Post-Secondary Counselor
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
Los Angeles, California
06.2025 - Current
- Lead Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within MTSS framework, identifying chronically absent and credit-deficient students, developing individualized intervention plans, and monitoring progress toward academic and behavioral goals to enhance student outcomes.
- Facilitate quarterly graduation progress meetings with students and families across all grade levels to establish accountability, identify barriers, and create actionable plans for academic success.
- Execute monthly school-wide workshops centered on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), career exploration, and post-secondary planning to promote student engagement, college readiness, and academic success.
- Conduct individualized senior progress meetings to reinforce student accountability, monitor graduation progress, and maintain consistent communication with families to support student success.
- Coordinate comprehensive financial aid and college application support, empowering students and families to successfully navigate post-secondary enrollment requirements.
- Coach and support instructional staff in implementing restorative, relationship-centered practices to improve student behavior, attendance, and overall school culture.
- Coach instructional staff on proactive family engagement strategies, strengthening home-school partnerships through consistent communication and accurate documentation in StudentTrac.
Student Advisor
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
Los Angeles, California
05.2024 - 06.2025
- Conducted graduation intervention meetings with students and families who were behind in credits, developing personalized academic recovery plans and alternative pathways.
- Facilitated college and career readiness workshops on FAFSA/CA Dream Act completion, college applications, personal statement writing, and career exploration.
- Conducted ongoing senior progress reviews to monitor graduation readiness, ensure students remain on track, and support individualized postsecondary planning.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and community partners to strengthen a college- and career-going culture and improve student outcomes through college readiness workshops, career exploration events, and post-secondary field trip experiences.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and community partners to enhance college- and career-going culture, facilitating college readiness workshops, career exploration events, and post-secondary field trips to improve student outcomes.
- Maintained accurate student records, progress notes, and post-secondary planning documentation, ensuring compliance with school policies and supporting effective tracking of student progress.
Career Pathways Coordinator
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
Los Angeles, California
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Developed and facilitated career readiness workshops and student engagement activities that enhanced students' understanding of career exploration, workforce skills, and postsecondary planning.
- Provided individualized career coaching, effectively guiding students through career exploration, resume development, interview preparation, job search strategies, and goal setting to achieve their career objectives.
- Connected students with internships, part-time employment, and work-based learning opportunities, supporting career readiness and real-world skill development.
- Identified and referred eligible students to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, collaborating with community agencies to facilitate enrollment and access to essential workforce development resources.
School Counseling Intern
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Los Angeles, California
01.2024 - 04.2024
- Supported college and career readiness initiatives by guiding students through FAFSA completion and community college applications, contributing to schoolwide efforts to increase post-secondary access and achieve LAUSD's goal of 100% FAFSA completion.
- Monitored attendance data and implemented targeted interventions for students with chronic absenteeism, enhancing student engagement and supporting LAUSD's iAttend 2.0 initiative.
- Conducted student conferences to address attendance concerns, identify barriers, and develop intervention plans that facilitated improved attendance outcomes.
- Guided students through FAFSA completion and community college applications, strengthening college and career readiness initiatives and advancing LAUSD's goal of 100% FAFSA completion.
School Administrative Assistant
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Huntington Park, California
01.2021 - 06.2022
- Provided guidance and technical support for school platforms, including Schoology, Daily Pass, and Parent Portal, as the primary point of contact for students and families, delivering responsive customer service through phone, email, and in-person communication.
- Managed student enrollment, withdrawals, and cumulative records, ensuring compliance with district policies and safeguarding accurate, confidential student documentation.
- Coordinated tracking of school budget and expenditure reporting, ensuring fiscal accountability and effective allocation of school resources.
- Processed biweekly and monthly payroll for a staff of 50 employees using SAP, maintaining accurate personnel records and ensuring timely payroll processing.
Education
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Education – School Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services Credential)
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE
Irvine, CA05-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Minor in Anthropology
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA06-2018
Skills
- Academic advising
- Attendance strategies
- Bilingual
- College and Career readiness
- Crisis management
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Graduation strategies
- MTSS frameworks
- Post-secondary planning
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Student information systems
- Student support services
- Technical Skills: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, iWork, Student Information Systems, and Social Media
Certification
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential | Expires January 2030
- 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit | Expires March 2027
- Certificate of Clearance | Expires January 2028
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Collaborated with the Regional Counselor, Principal, and Assistant Principal to design and implement a comprehensive Advisory curriculum aligned with the CASEL Five Competencies, providing weekly Social-Emotional Learning instruction that strengthened students' self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
- Contributed to achieving a 91% graduation rate during the 2025–2026 school year by leading Tier 2 and Tier 3 MTSS interventions, facilitating graduation progress monitoring, partnering with families, and providing individualized academic and postsecondary counseling.
- Developed and facilitated a campus-wide professional development training, "Classroom Calm: Navigating Student Power Struggles Through a Restorative Justice Lens," equipping instructional staff with restorative strategies to de-escalate conflict, strengthen classroom relationships, and foster positive student behavior.
Timeline
Post-Secondary Counselor
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
06.2025 - Current
Student Advisor
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
05.2024 - 06.2025
School Counseling Intern
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
01.2024 - 04.2024
Career Pathways Coordinator
OPTIONS FOR YOUTH – WATTS
07.2022 - 05.2024
School Administrative Assistant
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
01.2021 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Minor in Anthropology
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Education – School Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services Credential)
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE