ALISA FINN
Goondiwindi,QLD
Summary
My professional philosophy is that learning is a collaborative and reflective lifelong journey. Seeking feedback and enacting change in operational environments is the most essential element to personal development and improvement. Pro-active initiative and self-belief are an integral part in pursuing goals and achieving life aspirations. Every experience, whether positive or negative, provides an opportunity for professional growth and further personal learning aggregation. I am a relational, integrous and respectful leader who seeks to advocate and support students to reach their self-determined academic and personal goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Guidance Officer
Goondiwindi State High School
01.2024 - Current
- Advocating for all students and supporting them with engaging in education while liaising with their families, external support and the wider community
- Active leader in supporting staff and implementing student protection procedures
- Case Management of students with mental health, behaviour concerns and at risk of disengaging from school, supporting staff with educational adjustments, behavioural plans and intervention programs while ensuring ethical issues of privacy and confidentiality are maintained
- Short-term counselling of students with mental health concerns and referral for external support
- Provide leadership and specialised support in response to student protection issues and critical incidents, liaising with regional support, Child Youth Mental Health and other external agencies
- Develop and implementation of the Critical Incident Plan Development and Case Management of Out of Home Care Students- liaising with Carers, Child Safety, Stakeholders and development of Educational Support Plans, funding and Complex Case Management
- Lead a team of wellbeing support staff inclusive of Youth Support Coordinator, Youth Worker, School Based Health Nurse and Chaplain
- Development of tiered support referral model to ensure staff skills and knowledge are matched to needs of students
- Successfully sourced external counselling services to support students’ mental health concerns ensuring all departmental processes and procedures were adhered too
- Organisational logistics with three external agencies Catholic Care, Lives Lived Well and You turn ensuring consent, ethical issues of privacy and confidentiality are maintained and within the guidelines of the Department of Education
- Developing support strategies for teachers and families to help students in continual engagement in education
- Support students, staff and cluster Guidance Officer in education and process of Senior Education and Training (SET) planning
- Support students in career development, future pathway options, University Head Start Programs, QTAC applications and scholarships
- Successfully support students in applications for University Queensland Young Achievers Program and facilitate graduation event for YAP graduating students
- Organise, distribute, educate and facilitate Queensland Student Engagement and Wellbeing Survey
- Analysed data to identify gaps in students’ wellbeing and designed a pastoral care program for years 8-10 Liaise with other facilities such as Brisbane Children’s Hospital, Yananda, Koby House and Brisbane Youth Education Training Centre to support students in successfully re-engaging with education at Goondiwindi State High School
- Collegially working with Bigambul people, Clontarf and Mirri Dreamers to best support our Indigenous students
- Collaboratively organise celebration days such as Bullying No Way, R U OK?, Wear it purple and Mental Health week with support staff and student council A member of BRET.com- Border Rivers Education and Training program which aims to build the capacity of the community by strengthening education and training opportunities
- A member of the MHPN- Mental Health Professional Network Goondiwindi
Learning Support Teacher and Primary Partnerships Coordinator
Emerald State High School
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Case Management of students- advocating for students in partnerships with families, internal and external stakeholders to support them to achieve their very best academically as well as their wellbeing
- Supporting teachers to increase access to the curriculum for all students
- Mentoring teachers in adapting curriculum and assessment for students on Individual Curriculum Plans and Highly Individualised Curriculum
- In class support for teachers and students
- Diagnostic testing and analysis of students using programs such as PAT, BKSB and Sounds-Write
- Developing and implementing intervention programs for targeted literacy and numeracy needs
- Regular data review of student’s academic, behaviour and attendance information
- Liaising with external support agencies such as Speech Language Pathologists, Autism Queensland, Occupational Therapists, Headspace and Anglicare Consulting and collaborating with families and care givers in regards to students’ needs and adjustments to the curriculum Identification and collection of NCCD data specifically for imputed disabilities Lead teacher in development and implementation of early transition program for year 6 students who have cognitive and or social emotional disabilities Developing and implementing a year 7-9 Career Education Program Active member of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) team Active member of the Restorative Practices team Primary Partnership Coordinator Coordination of Emerald State, Emerald North, Denison, Anakie, Gindie, Comet and Emerald High middle school teachers to develop capabilities in the areas of pedagogy, behaviour management and curriculum knowledge to positively support students transitioning to high school Liaising with CLAW staff to host termly meetings to build relationships, capacity and capabilities of staff in the knowledge of the teenage brain
- Organising external professionals in the field of adolescent neuroscience and First Nations student transitions for professional development for Primary Partnership team Consulting and collaborating termly with Principals from the Primary Partnership Cluster, CLAW staff and the Indigenous Pathways and Partnership Coordinator to identify school needs and concerns Coordinating learning and reflective practice opportunities for Primary Partnership teachers to visit both primary and high school classes
Hospitality Teacher
Queensland Education and Training Centre
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Key member of a dedicated team empowering young people to embrace the opportunity of quality and meaningful education in a youth detention center
- Collaborating with Youth Justice Team, Transition Team and Queensland Health Team to develop curriculum and learning opportunities to support student wellbeing Lead teacher in developing, implementing and providing professional development in PBL practices in collaboration with Youth Justice Team Building capacity in staff with engaging young people in restorative practices within home group to support self-regulation, relationship development that contributes to improved learning outcomes Supporting teachers and ancillary staff in challenging and flexible teaching environments, model creative and responsive teaching practices for effective learning environments Liaise with Youth Justice Team, Transition Officer, Case Managers and external providers to provide certifications to improve employment opportunities for students
Hospitality Coordinator/Teacher
Education Queensland Schools
01.2005 - 01.2019
- Lead dedicated team within Home Economics/Hospitality department to deliver innovative and effective curriculum that aligned with Australian curriculum and Vocational Education Training curriculum and created opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience for their preferred futures
- Liaise with external industry providers to support student work experience within the community Positively managed human and financial resources within the Hospitality Department including a commercially run café.
Head of Department Home Economics
West Moreton Anglican College
06.2013 - 12.2014
- Provided active leadership for all colleagues in Home Economics department which was inclusive to mentoring, collaborating and supporting to increase staff motivation and continuous improvement in quality of teaching and learning.
Education
Mental Health, Psychology and Counselling -
Online Courses Australia
01.2024
Master of Education - School of Guidance and Counselling
Queensland University of Technology
01.2023
Bachelor of Secondary Education - Home Economics and English
Queensland University of Technology
01.2005
Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System Third Edition (ABAS-3) -
01.2024
Skills
- Decision-making support
- Mental health awareness
- Student Advocacy
- Multicultural Competence
- Ethical Practice
- Individual Assessment
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Time Management
- Effective Communication
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Relationship Building
Membershipsandawards
- Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association, afinn22
- Australian Counselling Association, 27647
- Queensland College of Teachers, 811230
- Queensland Teachers’ Union, 5169406
- Queensland University of Technology- Dean’s List for Academic Excellence, 2023
- Queensland State Education Showcase School -On track for success (Years 7-9), 2023
Professional Development
- Black Dog Institute – Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm, 2024
- Calm Care Suicide Awareness Skills- Calm Care, 2023
- PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) Training- Evolve, 2024
- The Why and What of Restorative Practices in Schools- Restorative Pathways, 2022
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: Knowledge to improve students’ learning, participation and outcomes- Sue Larkey Training, 2023
- Mental Health First Aid- E-Mental Health in Practice QUT, 2022
- Trauma Informed Certificate for Coaches- The Centre for Healing, 2023
- Understanding the Traumatised Child- QuEST, 2021
References
- Brett Hallett, Goondiwindi State High School, Principal, bhall72@eq.edu.au 4670 0333
- Janine Telford, DDSW Region, Senior Guidance Officer, Janine.Telford@qed.qld.gov.au 0417 161 532
Timeline
Guidance Officer
Goondiwindi State High School
01.2024 - Current
Learning Support Teacher and Primary Partnerships Coordinator
Emerald State High School
01.2022 - 01.2024
Hospitality Teacher
Queensland Education and Training Centre
01.2020 - 01.2021
Head of Department Home Economics
West Moreton Anglican College
06.2013 - 12.2014
Hospitality Coordinator/Teacher
Education Queensland Schools
01.2005 - 01.2019
Mental Health, Psychology and Counselling -
Online Courses Australia
Master of Education - School of Guidance and Counselling
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Secondary Education - Home Economics and English
Queensland University of Technology
Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System Third Edition (ABAS-3) -
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