Jennifer

L. Riha

Taking over as the only
counselor in a building of
over 600 students is not
an easy task, but Jenny
did so successfully and
with ease. Her
motivation was evident in
her efforts to meet with
students, address the
needs of students,
teachers, parents, and
administrators, and
create lessons and
programs as they were
needed.

Shanna Bell
Guidance Counselor,
Crestwood Middle
School




Jennifer has the personal
qualities, professional
experience, and skills to
be an excellent school
counselor. She is calm,
patient, insightful and
responsive to others. She
knows how to multi-task
in order to accomplish
responsibilities with

Objective

To obtain a position as a school counselor.

Certification, Education, and Honors

Certification
State of MI Professional Certificate
6-12 English (BA), K-12 Guidance and Counseling (NT), and 6-12 Psychology (CE)

Masters of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership: Principal Leadership

Western Michigan University, currently pursuing

Masters of Arts Degree in Counselor Education: School Counseling

Western Michigan University, 2012
Recipient: Arthur and Margaret Manske Outstanding Masters Student in School
Counseling Award

Bachelor of Arts
Grand Valley State University, 2004
Major: English Language and Literature
Emphasis: Secondary Education

school counselor.

Jim Hedstrom
Professor, WMU

Minor: Psychology

Professional Experience

Guidance Counselor, Challenger, Southwood, and Townline Elementary Schools,

January 2015 June 2015

Met with individual students regarding academic, personal, and social concerns
Facilitated small counseling groups
Planned and delivered classroom guidance lessons for grades K-5
Participated on the Child Study Team
Collaborated with teachers, students, and parents to create student behavior
plans
Created district-wide counseling website as a resource for students and parents

Language Arts Teacher, Crestwood Middle School, August 2007 present

quality results, an
essential quality for a

4688 Brookmeadow Dr SE, Kentwood, MI 49512

(616) 550-9050
jenriha@hotmail.com
JenniferLRiha.weebly.com

Collaborated with other content-area teachers to implement lessons using

integrated curricula and project-based learning
Served as building Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) coach
Facilitated school-wide initiatives as member of school leadership team
Prepared School Improvement Plan
Led Multi-Tiered Systems of Support team of building-wide teachers
Created staff peer-encouragement programs to improve morale and build
relationships

Interim Guidance Counselor, Crestwood Middle School, January April 2013

[Mrs. Riha has] helped

me grow tremendously
and soar to new heights;
not only as a student or
as a writer,
but as a
person.

Greyson
EKHS, class of 2018




Jenny has always done a
great job working with
her students, forming
positive relationships,
and modeling greatness.
Jenny is always willing to
accept new challenges to
help our students
succeed. I can assure you
that each student she
serviced in the capacity
as a counselor was given
the utmost attention and
follow through.

Omar Bakri
Principal, Crestwood
Middle School

Planned and delivered classroom guidance lessons for all grade levels
Met with individual students regarding academic, personal, and social concerns
Served on Child Study Team
Collaborated with elementary and freshman counselors to plan orientations
Worked with teachers and administrators to create student behavior plans

Counselor Intern, Crestwood Middle School and East Kentwood High School,
August 2011 March 2012

Co-led small counseling groups

Developed and delivered guidance curriculum to grades six through eight
Provided academic, personal, social, and career counseling to students in grades
six through twelve
Managed caseload of high school students in a credit recovery program and met
weekly to set goals and monitor progress

Counselor Intern, Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Western

Michigan University, May August 2011

Provided counseling services to clients of various ages and backgrounds

Assessed clients for risk of self-harm
Collaborated with clients to set and reach goals

Professional Development

Member, Michigan School Counselor Association, 2015

Member, Literacy Coaches Network, Kent ISD, 2014
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports Coaches Training, Kent ISD, 2014
Grant writing seminar as Kentwood Schools representative, Steelcase, 2013
Attended MACUL conference, 2012
Received MEEMIC grant, 2012
Received Kentwood Educational Foundation grant, 2012
Facilitated multi-district in-service for cultural competency and diversity
initiatives, 2010
Certified as a Process Champion for Capturing Kids Hearts, 2008

References
Mr. Omar Bakri
Principal
Crestwood Middle School
2674 44th St SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 455-1200
omar.bakri@kentwoodps.org

Mrs. Shanna Bell
School Counselor
Crestwood Middle School
2674 44th St SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 915-8266
shanna.bell@kentwoodps.org

Mrs. Teressa Gatza
Principal
Challenger Elementary School
2475 52nd St SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
(616) 698-2524
teressa.gatza@kentwoodps.org

Mrs. Jacquie Harris

Dean of Academic Affairs
Crestwood Middle School
2674 44th St SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 455-1200
jacquie.harris@kentwoodps.org

Mr. Jim Hedstrom
Associate Adjunct Professor
Western Michigan University
200 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 554-0604
james.hedstrom@wmich.edu