About Me

Welcome Family and Friends!

Hi there! My name is Jo-Ann Kitchen-Simmons and I am a person who values community, faith, family, and beauty. These things are at the heart of who I am and how I live my life.

My faith is a guiding force in my life and I make an effort to live in accordance with my beliefs. My family is also extremely important to me and I am grateful for the love and support they provide.

I believe that beauty can be found everywhere, whether it’s in art, nature, or even in simple acts of kindness. It brings joy and enrichment to life, and I try to seek it out in all that I do.

I am also dedicated to being an active member of my community. Giving back and making a positive impact on the world is important to me, whether through volunteering my time or supporting local causes.

Ultimately, my focus is on building strong relationships, living a purpose-driven life, and finding beauty in the world around me.

Here's some of my background

My mission is to provide adults and adolescents with opportunities to develop, and design, intelligent experiences. I echo that vision to ensure that each child and or adult has the opportunity to succeed.

Modus Operandi

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, In all the ways you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you ever can-Wesley’s Rule of Conduct, John Wesley (1705-1791) and, The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31, NIV).

Service

I am a proven Leader as an Educator with over fifteen years of experience in counseling students considered at-risk and susceptible of dropping out of high school. I have also facilitated numerous counseling sessions with Administrators, parents, teachers, and students addressing academic, personal, and social concerns, as well as provided career assessments and placement at post-secondary institutions.

As a facilitator for Service Learning projects, netting averages of $8K annually in scholarships for graduating seniors. I have coordinated, written, and implemented assessments to determine the needs of at-risk students at alternative Education Centers. A vital member of the team that increased the targeted senior population graduation rate from 1% to 16% in three years, overall 100%.

Community Leader

I am an active community member and have volunteered for City’s Civic Association for 15-plus years. I am committed to raising the community’s awareness of safety programs, homeownership, and educational programs and activities for residents in Broward and surrounding counties. She has coordinated and increased participation in major community-based clean-up initiatives, while serving on the Board for the City of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations. I have over 5400 documented service learning hours with the National Commission of Community Service.

Personal

My husband and I are active members at New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, where she serves as President of a congregational ministry, and former Lay Counselor. I continue to serve as a mentor/coach to graduates and younger family members.

Aspirations

I would like to continue addressing the needs of low socio-economical, populations in education, and increasing opportunities for at-risk youth involved in child welfare and the juvenile justice systems. Emphasis will be on the adult or adolescent to create opportunities that will strengthen inner core principles for sustenance and overall quality of life improvement.

Awards & Certifications

Teacher of the Year, 2010, Hallandale Adult Community Center Broward County Public Schools

Educational Leadership & Guidance and Counseling Certification: Florida Department of Education.

Previous Affiliations

Broward County Public Schools, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Kids in Distress, Fort Lauderdale Florida

Archways Behavioral Center, Fort Lauderdale Florida

Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps Martin, Stuart Florida

Education and Awards

Nova Southeastern University
Current: Doctoral Candidate
Dissertation Topic: School Counselors as Change Agents: Implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Support

Completed Coursework: Trends and Issues, Methods of Inquiry, Human Resource Development, Leadership and Leadership Simulation,
Ethics and Social Responsibility, Strategic Action Plans, Leading for Change, Leadership Development through Theory Practice, Leading in a Learning Organization, Culture of Urban Schools, Advanced School Finance, Curriculum, and Program Development, and Education Policy and Politics.

Palm Beach Atlantic College, 1999
M.s. Counseling Psychology Minor: School Counseling
Thesis: Adolescent Behavior: Primary Enuresis

Palm Beach Atlantic College, 1997
B.S. Organizational Management
Area of Concentration: Human Resource
Focus: Outsourcing Human Resources

AWARDS
Teacher of the Year, Broward County Public Schools – 2009-2010
Professional Educator’s Certificate, State of Florida Department of Education – 2012-2017
AmeriCorps, Martin Leadership Award – 1997 – 1999

Teaching Experience

Broward County Public Schools

Certified School Counselor, 2000-2016

Designed and developed personal/social, academic and career

awareness programs for alternative school students.

Administrator for State and National Testing, relaying outcomes to students, parents and teachers to facilitate differentiated instruction programs to achieve academic success. Lead facilitator at parents’, administrators and student conferences.

New Educator Support Service, 2006 – 2009

Accountable for new educators’ learning to: recognize signs of students’ difficulty with reading and computational process and apply appropriate measures to improve students’ reading and computational performance; recognize patters of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in students, including exceptional students in the regular classroom; recognized and demonstrate awareness of the educational needs of students who have limited proficiency in English and employ appropriate teaching strategies; use assessment and other diagnostic strategies to assist the continuous development and acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the learner; demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive environment in the classroom while achieving order and discipline, demonstrate the ability to grade student performance effectively; recognize the signs of alcohol and drug abuse in students and know how to appropriately work with such students and seek assistance designed to prevent future abuse.

Student Council Advisor, 2009-2012

Developed By-Laws that pertained to Alternative Education for at-risk students enrolled in Student Government Association.

Service Learning Coordinator, 2006-2015

Service learning projects were designed, school-wide for at-risk students.

In-service Facilitator, 2009-2014

Coordinated school-wide professional development activities and coordinated professional learning communities for school staff.

Multi-Tiered System of Support/Response to Intervention Coordinator, 2009-2014

Coordinated behavior support services providers for at-risk students amongst teachers, administrators, and out-side service providers.

Related Experience

Broward County Public Schools
Certified School Counselor- Built Capacity
Student Learning Results

Administrator for District and State standardized assessments to students, whereas student participation rates increased to 99% for targeted population.
Increased participation in the Dual enrollment population 5% with scheduling students in courses to increase scores on Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) to qualify for Technical Center enrollment or Performance Based Diploma.
Increased dual enrolled population from 1% in 2010/2011, to 5% 2013/2014, with over 90% completing two year program.

Student Learning as a Priority

Coordinated team-building activities with school-wide initiatives to increase the graduation rate of Alternative Education students. The total percentage is still to be determined.
Reduced student discipline referrals 3% percent by providing American School Counseling Association (ASCA) standards for all students registered and attending.
Provided career, academic and personal/social counseling for all 900 attending students.
Decreased Non-attending students by 10% via verbal and mail offerings, communicating the alternative means of attaining educational goals.
Provided academic consultation to 900 enrolled and attending at-risk students, grades 7-12, using the ASCA standards and competencies.
Increased qualifying at-risk student population attending Technical school: Increased student enrollment from 1% in school year of 2010/2011 to 5% in 2013/2014 school year.
Actively enrolled twenty-eight graduating seniors in 2013-2014 school years, for Broward Community College summer enrollment for scholarships initiative.
Provide student leadership opportunities as Advisor for members of Student Government Association (SGA), for the academic school years of 2010-2014.
Provide opportunities for SGA members to receive approximately $30,000 in Oneblood scholarships, from 2010/2011-2013/2014: Competitively sought scholarships for thirty students.
Create and provide monthly real-world learning opportunities for at-risk students by means of individual consults, small groups and classroom settings.
Provide parent, teacher, and student involvement in attaining academic success. Results include engaged dialogue and institute high expectations from all parties.
Coordinator (2010-2014) for Collaborative Problem Solving/Response to Intervention teams for Middle and High School at-risk students, leading to interventions within the classroom for academic success.
Collect, and analyze peer-reviewed data to assist in the implementation of interventions and strategies for classroom teachers of at-risk learners.

Instructional Leadership

Instructional Plan Implementation

Provided assistance to the Administration in curriculum design for students who fell below average in reading and math skills of Test of Adult Basic Education scores.
Enrolled over 500 students to engage in preparation for Technical College or Alternative Performance Based Diploma.
In-service Facilitator, for school years 2009/2010-2013/2014.
Utilize American School Counseling Association standards and competencies for planning individual, small groups and classroom guidance activities.
Create real-world scenarios for at-risk students including blended families, single-parent households, homeliness, alternative lifestyles and diversity of color, race and creed.

Faculty Development

Staff Coordinator for Response to Intervention/Multi-Tired Systems of Support for three consecutive years.
Provided direction and support utilizing New Educator System of Support (N.E.S.S.) practices to incoming Student Support instructional and non/instructional staff.
Assisted Instructional school staff in creating Professional Learning Communities to acquire yearly in-service points as In Service Facilitator.
Designed and implemented School Wide Behavior Plan for instructional and non- instructional SBBC staff. This Plan led to a decrease in outcomes of Defiance of Authority, Remaining in Assigned Area, and Use of Profanity towards Staff by minimum of 25 percent.

Learning Environment

Human Relations Council/Young Diplomat Advisor, 2009/10-2012/2013, promoting equity among Instructional/non-instructional staff, parents and student leaders.
Student Government Association Advisor, school years 2010-2014. Efforts led to engage over 500 Junior and Senior level students’ and their parents in civic and community opportunities, increasing civic responsibility.
Provide parents, students and school community opportunities regarding pertinent events and information that affect the well being of all parties, via newsletters and verbal methods of communication.
Lead Instructional staff member for school wide activities to engage and increase student attendance and participation, 2014-2015.
Lead Instructional staff member for Annual Black History Program, 2009-2010.

Organizational Leadership

Decision Making

Advocate for School Improvement Plan implementation and coordination of services via Professional Learning Communities and student activities.
Monitor and evaluate Student Services department goals and activities, providing feedback to School Advisory Team to increase delivery of effectiveness for school’s success.
Frequently supplied suggestions for increasing productivity via Systems Theory

Leadership Development

Coordinator for Professional Learning Communities (PLC) for Instructional/Non-instructional staff in Leadership, MTSS/RTI, Common Core for Math and English Language, and Technology, 2013-2014.
New Educator Support Service (N.E.S.S.), NKA Teacher Induction for Effectiveness and Retention T.I.E.R.
Created the ‘Breakfast Club’ where educators met monthly to discuss best practices, concerns and provide feedback to Student Support Service Department.

School Management

Sought innovative opportunities to maximize time meeting the needs of at risk students, by designing and on line scheduling component for students to meet with counselors’. Attend District and community forums, meetings and functions to increase school’s presence and knowledge base.
Sought opportunities to increase the effectiveness of Student Service Department, via communications with staff, and modeling appropriate expectations to achieve student and school success.
Sought after school-wide initiatives to raise revenue for student scholarships (blood drives, and community grants), which I defrayed educational expenses for graduation.

Communication

Campaign for local community partnerships, increased membership of School Advisory Council to include three local Ministers and two parents
Effective use of Communication across Broward (CAB), Office 365, White Board for individual and group conversations.
Maintain precise student records, contact parents, teachers and students daily.
Attend District and School events, promoting and advocating for at risk students.
Provide Professional Learning communities based upon the National Common Core Standards instruct teachers of requirements and mandates for promotion, and graduation for at risk students.
Update data concerning educational, volunteer (service learning) opportunities for students.
Attend educational seminars to provide professional staff development activities for teachers and staff.
Maintain District records of communication of parent, teacher and/or student required consultation evidenced on AS400 L27 screen.
Provide educational counseling to at-risk students according to National Counseling Association Standards in personal, academic and career preparation.

Professional and Ethical Behavior

Professional and Ethical Behaviors

Adhere to the Code of Ethic and the Principles of Professional Conduct by notifying Administration of any incidences that would violate Education Profession in Florida.
Continue to advocate for at risk student and Alternative Education at District, State and National levels.
Appeal to vision and mission of District to increase tolerance among diverse population of nearly 2000 students through Ethical and Decision Making workshop.
Empower Instructional/Non-Instructional staff to maintain ‘great’ Customer Service to parents, staff and students regarding School Board policy (ies).
Continually pursue equality among all netted educational partners and stakeholders.

Sought feedback regarding an adversarial task or learning practices.

Personal Adolescent and Adult Life Coach 2015 – current

Provide support to clients who wish to overcome obstacles which impede their personal level of success.

Languages

English- Native language
Spanish- Modest Comprehension of written, and conversation

Memberships

National Education Association, Member
Florida School Counselors Association, Member
City of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations, Member
Personal Life Coach, International Coach Federation
National Christian Counselors Association, Member
Lauderdale Manors Homeowners Board Member
Mount Olive Development Corporation Board Member