Michelle Pownall
School Counselor
Detailed Organization, Consistent Communication, Dependable Results, Excellence in all things.
About Me
“You cannot help being a female, and I should be something of a fool were I to discount your talents merely because of their housing.”
― Sherlock Holmes, The Beekeeper's ApprenticeI have been an educator since 2003. I remember how excited I was the first day I had my own classroom. I wanted to make a difference in the world. It wasn't until later on that I realized my passion for teaching became a passion in helping others achieve their highest potential in more than just academics.
I have two children and have lived in the U.S. and in Korea, but would love to experience more. I love to travel, am a true Disney geek, bookworm, movie nerd, and photographer on my spare time.
I love it when design is cohesive, seeing kindness in action, collaborating with others, having all the details covered, talking to others like they're my best friend, color coding, getting the desired results after working hard, being depended upon, and life in general.
Testimonials
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.”
- Moulin Rouge
"...thank you so much for always caring and helping...Thanks to you, she was able to have her school life (be) full of gladness and happiness this year."
Parent of Counseling Student
"Thank you so much for your constant support, care, and love for me...I think you are my best teacher, leader, mentor, and mom...I really appreciate your daily encouragement and care for me."
Counseling Student
"Your professionalism yet down to earthness with all those around you is something I admire....your ability to collaborate with others whether teacher, admin or others (is something I admire)."
Counseling Intern
"I can not thank you enough for all the support you have given me throughout the years. It is so nice to have a teacher who I can trust and talk to...I will never forget the experiences we have shared."
Counseling Student and Student Council Member
"I feel so supported and 'home' being with you...You have a very positive energy that I'm brightened by you even when I'm not feeling well."
Student Council Member
"Thank you for supporting me!"
Counseling Student
"Thanks for your partnership, guidance, and friendship this year...I'm so thankful to have worked with you and learned from you."
Colleague
"I am forever thankful to you for all the help and support you've given me...I couldn't have done it without you!"
Colleague
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me. You have sacrificed so much time and effort...I want to recognize you and thank you for that."
Counseling Student and Student Council Member
"You always care for me and give me support :) Thank you for everything!"
Counseling Student and Student Council Member
educational Philosophy
Rise to Your Full Potential
"Rise to Your Full Potential" That is what best describes my philosophy of education. Whether I'm a teacher or a school counselor, all I expect from students is to be the best that they can at that moment in their existence. To support students to “rise to their full potential” relationship building, supporting the whole child, and parental outreach is how I can support my philosophy.
In order for students to “rise to their full potential” I have to first and foremost build relationships. Students need to feel safe and accepted before they can perform. Sometimes life gets in the way, and when it does, I am there for support. You know the saying “Gotta do the Maslow before the Blooms?” That is exactly why students need the acceptance and safety at school.
My job as an educator is to help students to support the whole child so they can strive for excellence. Each student has gifts. My goal is to help students identify them. When students know what they’re good and gifted at, their confidence increases in all areas.
Parents also need to be on the students side. Without support at home, it’s difficult for students to “rise to their full potential.” Giving parents the opportunity to hear what is going on in the classroom, or counseling department, and inviting them into the school community ultimately helps all parties involved. It really does take a village to raise a child and I am apart of that village.
Helping students feel safe and accepted, whole-child support by increasing confidence, and inviting all pieces of the “village” to help support, students really can “rise to their full potential.”
Education and certification
“Tonight you have learned the final and greatest truth of the Ninja: that ultimate mastering comes not from the body, but from the mind. Together, there is nothing your four minds cannot accomplish.”
-Splinter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Master of Arts in Education – Guidance Counseling
Ottawa University, Awarded 2010
Bachelor of Arts in Education – Elementary Education
Arizona State University, Awarded 2003
K-12 Guidance Counseling
Early Childhood
Structured English Immersion
Elementary Education K-8
State of Arizona
Counseling Experience
"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
- Winnie the Pooh, Pooh's Most Grand Adventure
July 2019 to Current
School Counseling that included college/career, social, emotional, and academic counseling in small groups, individually, and classroom guidance visits. KISJ serves grades PK-12 and provides an AP program.
Grade 1-3
January 2013 to 2019
School Counseling that included college/career, social, emotional, and academic counseling in small groups, individually, and classroom guidance visits. GSIS serves grades PK-12 and provides a full International Baccalaureate experience with PYP, MYP, and DP.
Head of Department, Grade 9-10 IB MYP, Grade PK-5 IB PYP Counselor, Grade 6-8 IB MYP• Lead department PLC's
• Created the comprehensive school counseling program
• Implement yearly school wide six-week screener for all students
• Implement department needs assessment
• GSIS Child Safety Protection Team Leader
•Hold individual parent/student conferences for college and/or transition
• Administer career survey's to each grade level then lead a job interview student led conference
• GSIS Child Safety Protection Team Leader
• PSAT Coordinator
• GSIS Student Resource Team member
• University visit assistance
• Created individual behavior plans
• Hold minute meetings with students
• Track student triggers and antecedents
January to June 2011
College and career counseling that helped teen moms through the college application process, vocational school process, and helped mothers determine a career path.
July to December 2009
School Counseling that included college/career, social, emotional, and academic counseling. Small group counseling, individual counseling, and credit checks were experienced. School provides International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and AVID programs.
Intern
• Infinite Campus trained
• Naviance trained
Teaching Experience
“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.”
-Master Yoda, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Camelback Academy, Glendale, Arizona, USA
July 2010 to December 2012
Grade K-2 Math Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Full time math teacher to grade K-2 students. Performed classroom benchmark assessments. Differentiated instruction using station based learning. Ran small math groups.
•Singapore Math trained
•Founded the student government
•Project CHILD certified
Rancho Gabriela Elementary, Surprise, Arizona, USA
January to May 2010
Grade 3 Teacher - Long Term Sub
Full time teacher. Performed classroom benchmark assessments. Ran small groups for remediation.
•West-Ed Educational Model trained
Chaparral Elementary, Gilbert, Arizona, USA
July 2007 to May 2009
Kindergarten Teacher
Full time math teacher. Performed classroom benchmark assessments. Differentiated instruction using center based learning. Ran small reading groups and small math groups.
•Quality Education trained
•Thinking Maps trained
Mountain Vista Elementary and San Tan Heights Elementary,
San Tan Valley, Arizona
January 2004 to May 2007
Kindergarten Teacher
A full time math teacher to grade K-2 students. Performed classroom benchmark assessments. Differentiated instruction using workshop based learning.
•DIBELS trained
Professional Development
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
-Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings
Responsive Classroom
August 2019, Jeju, Republic of Korea
PRESENTER KORCOS International Educators' Conference
November 2018, Suwon, Republic of Korea
PRESENTER EARCOS Teacher Conference
March 2017, Kota Kinabaulu, Malaysia
PRESENTER EARCOS CIS Institute on Higher Education Admission & Guidance
October 2016, Bangkok, Thailand
Developing a Comprehensive Counseling
Program in International Schools
April 2016, Suzhou, China
PRESENTER Korea
International School Counselor Association
(KISCA) 2016 Conference
March 2016, Jeju, Republic of Korea
PRESENTER Mini EARCOS
“ Innovation in Learning ” 2016
March 2016, Suwon, Republic of Korea
ASCA National Conference
June, 2015, Arizona, USA
IB MYP Approaches to Learning
February 2015, Online Course
IB MYP Service and Action
March 2015, Coati Strip, Macau
Child Safety and Protection
Network
November 2015, Penang, Malaysia
Math in Focus
November 2001, Online Course
Project CHILD
July 2001, Glendale, Arizona, USA
Thinking Maps
August 2008, Gilbert, Arizona, USA
DIBELS
August 2005, San Tan Valley, Arizona, USA
Affiliations
"Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been
accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
-Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Korea International School Counseling Association
Founding member of KISCA
International School Counseling Association
American School Counseling Association
Specialized Skills
"Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a
time machine... out of a DeLorean?"
-Marty McFly, Back to the Future
Data Collection
Student Council Association Supervisor
Apple Teacher
Aligning Department to ASCA/ISCA Model
PowerSchool Master Scheduler
Standardized Testing Coordinator
Plan and Hosted Parent Workshops
National Junior Honor Society Supervisor
Planned and Hosted Korea International School Counselor Association Conference
Blog
“Great (wo)men are not born great, they grow great . . .”― Mario Puzo, The Godfather
August 14, 2019Read more...I moved schools this year, but am still in the same country. I also moved divisions! I am back...April 4, 2019Read more...The PE teacher and I have been collaborating in an amazing way. She came up with it and now I'm...January 8, 2019Read more...Trello Inspiration For those of you who know about Trello, have you seen the Trello Inspiration...
Copyright 2015