Kara E.

McNamara
(630) 901 – 2730 • Kara.McNamara1@gmail.com
806 Old Mill Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2018 (anticipated)
Master of Education, School Counseling
University of Dayton 2013
Bachelor of Art, English and Psychology — Cum Laude
LICENSURE & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
Licensed Professional School Counselor, Sixth Year Advanced Level August 2018 (anticipated)
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) May 2017 – Present
Member
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
School Counseling Intern, Jordan-Matthews High School August 2017 - Present
Siler City, North Carolina
● Approach: Utilize evidence-based, data-driven practices grounded in the ASCA National Model for maximum
student success in academic, socioemotional, and college and career development.
● Direct Services: Conducted over 200 individual counseling sessions, led a stress-management group, initiated
consultations with stakeholders, co-advised a peer educator group, facilitated student-teacher/parent-teacher
meetings, registered students for classes, engaged families in college information presentations, provided
responsive services to students and families, and presented classroom guidance lessons on professional
communication, self-advocacy, time management, and test preparation skills.
● Indirect Services: Contributed to an intervention team for students with excessive absences and academic
struggles, co-created and administered a school climate survey, referred students for external mental health
services, contributed to 504 planning meetings, and assisted with other essential duties as needed.
Middle School Program Director, The Victory Project April 2015 - October 2016
Dayton, Ohio
● Mentored court-involved young men in the urban environment.
● Created curriculum to develop skills in goal-setting, emotional literacy, leadership, vocational exploration,
interpersonal relations, and civic engagement.
● Advocated for students at school and with the justice system, recruited new members, implemented a transition
program for graduating students, tracked outcomes data, supervised interns and student leadership, and wrote
grant proposals for the non-profit.
Development & Finance Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters June 2014 - September 2015
Dayton, Ohio
● Spearheaded external communications, grant reporting, bookkeeping, and recruitment and supervision of interns.
Assisted managers with event planning, marketing, and fund development for a mentoring non-profit.
Youth Program Mentor, East End Community Services December 2011 - June 2013
Dayton, Ohio
● Operated in both the school and after-school settings as a program leader to plan and execute programming that
targeted literacy, socioemotional competencies, social justice, and self-esteem for at-risk children.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Court-Appointed Special Advocate, Montgomery County Juvenile Court October 2014 - December 2016
Dayton, Ohio
● Advocated for children in abuse and neglect cases from the time of initial report to the conclusion of the case.
● Conducted interviews with involved parties and monthly visits with the children, submitted reports to the Court,
offered resources to parents or guardians, and attended all court hearings and trials for the children.
Community Volunteer, Precious Blood Volunteer Program June 2013 - December 2013
Crownpoint, New Mexico (Navajo Reservation)
● Volunteered full-time as a teacher’s aide at St. Bonaventure Indian Mission School (K-8), coordinated a weekly food
program for children, ran a food pantry and thrift shop at a local church, did light bookkeeping and administrative
duties, led a group for native high school students, and tackled home repair tasks.