Honor Society® member
Joseph Gayl
Instructional Assistant: Special Education at Terraset Elementary -Teach and assist in instructing 5th and 6th grade students in the Non-Categorical Education (NCE) program. -Mentor and counsel students and address personal and behavioral concerns. -Oversee the ambassador program while teaching leadership development and providing service and growth opportunities.
- School Counseling
- Class of 2022
- Reston, Virginia
Member since December 2020
About
I am a lifelong servant and advocate for children with a desire to mentor, counsel and empower others. I believe in being active in the community and creating actionable change. Throughout my life, I have overcome several personal, educational and professional obstacles which have provided strength, perspective and purpose. I am a second year graduate student at George Mason University. I am pursuing school counseling because I want to serve children and be a beacon of change. During my undergraduate career, I developed diligence and a pursuit of excellence while learning to consider others. My goal is to work with students, families, teachers and community members to address the needs of children and promote wellness, self-care and wholistic development.
Education
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George Mason University
School Counseling
2020 – 2022
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Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
History
2013 – 2014
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Harding University
Elementary Education
2010 – 2012
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Coventry Christian Schools
High School Diploma
2006 – 2010
Honors and awards
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National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Member as of April 2014: Kutztown University
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Award of Distinction: Kutztown University History Department
Given to the top achieving seniors in the history department
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Honor Society
Member Induction December 2020: George Mason University
Goals and interests
- Career goal
I desire to work as an elementary school counselor. My preference would involve implementing programs and measures focused on the students and their families. Collaboration and creativity are pillars to my approach with students, parents and faculty. As a school counselor , I excel when I can shift focuses and address what is currently going on. The preferred position would be active, flexible and provide room for growth.
- Graduate school interests
I am interested in brain development, counseling techniques and practical applications to working with children and adolescents. Understanding the counseling relationship through the client's perspective is very interesting and a goal throughout my graduate experience. I would love to learn how culture plays into counseling.
- Outside the classroom
I love yoga, karate, volleyball, basketball, singing, dancing, cooking, reading, traveling, learning, and making videos.
Experience
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Instructional Assistant: Special Education
Terraset Elementary -Teach and assist in instructing 5th and 6th grade students in the Non-Categorical Education (NCE) program. -Mentor and counsel students and address personal and behavioral concerns. -Oversee the ambassador program while teaching leadership development and providing service and growth opportunities.
Jan 2020 – Jun 2021
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Membership Coordinator
Focus Family Karate -Assisted in teaching children and families martial arts while encouraging personal and physical development. -Helped oversee the summer camp program orchestrating games, activities and connecting with the students. -Set up marketing events, taught karate lessons to interested families and enrolled new students.
May 2019 – Jan 2020
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Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Administration -Used situational awareness and conflict resolutions skills to deescalate risky situations and address security concerns. -Collaborated with peers, supervisors and appropriate authorities to resolve issues with passengers. -Conveyed a warm attitude and excellent communication skills while interacting with passengers.
May 2017 – May 2019
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Youth and Family Advocate
Montgomery County Youth Center -Counseled children ages 12-17 and mediated disputes between residents and youth center staff. -Organized programs teaching skills beneficial to life outside of the facility. -Addressed behavioral issues with effective communication, empathetic listening and adaptive approaches.
Feb 2016 – Jan 2017
Volunteering
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I ran and organized a service initiative called the TEG project with the ambassadors bringing teachers, students and community members together in an effort to provide needed food clothing and supplies to families in the Terraset and greater Reston community. I lead a team of teachers alongside the group of ambassadors in collecting donations, advertising and setting up the TEG day. Our volunteers served the community members on a Saturday while they picked up what they needed.
Terraset Elementary Ambassadors Program
Jan 2021 – May 2021
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Assisting the missionary teams located in Acuna Mexico -Assisted in building a house for a family in desperate need. -Played games and interacted with the children.
Casa's Por Cristo
May 2010
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Assisting the missionary team in Maytown Kentucky -Participated in the cleaning and renovation of the missionary spaces and buildings around Maytown. -Assisted a family in removing waste and debris from their home while working on fortifying its structure.
Crossroads Missions
Apr 2008 – May 2009
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
Additional information
Organizations
