Rachel McDonald
Hamilton,ON
Summary
Dynamic and adaptable professional with enhanced abilities in behavioral and crisis management while working at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Adept at fostering positive environments and managing critical situations, I leveraged my strong interpersonal skills and mental health awareness at Interval House of Hamilton to enhance the well-being of all ages of residents. Skilled in youth guidance as a Big Sister mentor, I've enhanced my knowledge of positive youth development and fostered positive learning environments, demonstrating exceptional ability to meet diverse needs with sensitivity and professionalism across all roles.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Educational Assistant (supply)
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow to their fullest potential.
- Encouraged social-emotional growth among students by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding conversations around self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision making.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering trust and mutual respect to create a positive classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
- Supported students with special needs by adapting lessons and providing necessary accommodations in collaboration with special education staff.
Summer Student Child and Youth Counsellor
Interval House of Hamilton
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Organized and implemented daily therapeutic programming for mothers and children within the shelter, utilizing a diverse intersectional-based lens.
- Worked competently with mothers within the shelter to assess and plan for the children’s safety, educational, counseling, legal support, and parenting needs.
- Effectively prevented, managed, and diffused any behavioral and communicative issues that arose between mothers and children within the shelter, to cultivate a healthy and safe environment for all residents and staff.
Certified Listener Volunteer
Certified Listeners Society
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Completed comprehensive volunteer training program, gaining essential skills in crisis intervention techniques.
- Developed rapport with callers, offering a safe space for them to share their feelings and concerns.
- Demonstrated sensitivity and cultural competence when assisting diverse callers in distress.
- Provided referrals to appropriate community resources as needed, connecting callers with additional support options.
- Improved caller well-being by actively listening and providing empathetic support during periods of emotional distress.
- Managed high-stress situations effectively, remaining calm under pressure while providing compassionate assistance to callers in need.
Big Sister Volunteer Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and Hamilton
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Employed knowledge of youth development to plan and execute activities that offered a positive impact on my Little Sister mentee.
- Facilitated constructive conversations about difficult subjects, creating an open dialogue between me and my mentee regarding various topics important to their growth.
- Developed trust with my mentee through consistent availability and genuine interest in their wellbeing.
- Maintained routine check-ins with the mentee's case worker to enhance my understanding of positive youth-development and to be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Food and Beverage Server
Pür & Simple
04.2022 - Current
- Greeted guests warmly to foster a welcoming environment.
- Managed high-volume order requests during peak hours while maintaining accurate order fulfillment and prompt service.
- Successfully handled guest complaints with professionalism, resolving issues promptly to retain customer loyalty.
- Providing excellent customer service, successfully upselling relevant products and services for increased customer satisfaction.
- Assisted in maintaining a positive work environment by fostering open communication and teamwork among staff members and management.
Food and Beverage Server
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar
03.2022 - 07.2022
Food and Beverage Server
Erni's Place
06.2021 - 01.2022
Food and Beverage Server
The Wild Tart
12.2020 - 06.2021
Room Attendent
The Elora Mill
07.2020 - 08.2020
Hostess
The Fergusson Room Pub
07.2019 - 01.2020
Store Associate
Fraberts Fresh Food
06.2017 - 08.2019
Education
Honours Bachelor of Arts - Social Psychology
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON04.2024
Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Behavior and crisis management
- Youth guidance
- Mental health awareness
- Intersectional sensitivity
- Adaptability and flexibility
Certification
- Standard First Aid and CPR Certified
- Completion of Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Training
- Completion of Certified Listeners Training Course
- Certified in Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major
- G-level driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle
Timeline
Summer Student Child and Youth Counsellor
Interval House of Hamilton
06.2023 - 08.2023
Educational Assistant (supply)
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
09.2022 - 06.2024
Food and Beverage Server
Pür & Simple
04.2022 - Current
Certified Listener Volunteer
Certified Listeners Society
03.2022 - 05.2023
Big Sister Volunteer Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and Hamilton
03.2022 - 05.2023
Food and Beverage Server
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar
03.2022 - 07.2022
Food and Beverage Server
Erni's Place
06.2021 - 01.2022
Food and Beverage Server
The Wild Tart
12.2020 - 06.2021
Room Attendent
The Elora Mill
07.2020 - 08.2020
Hostess
The Fergusson Room Pub
07.2019 - 01.2020
Store Associate
Fraberts Fresh Food
06.2017 - 08.2019
Honours Bachelor of Arts - Social Psychology
McMaster University
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