Scott Birkestrand

5738 Meade Ave, San Diego CA 92115

Cell: (209) 768-7687
sjbirkestrand@gmail.com

Education
San Diego State University
Master of Science: School Counseling; Pupil Personnel Services Credential
San Diego, CA

2014-2016

University of California, Davis

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology, Education
Davis, CA

2008-2012

Qualifications
Leadership skills
Motivated systems change agent
Student advocate
Experience with career technical education

Data driven
Calm decision making in stressful situations
Collaborative Consulting
Intentional counselor

Experience
Patrick Henry High School
August 2015 to present
School Counseling Intern
San Diego, CA
Develop and implement curriculum focused on student success skills aiming to assist students in
maximizing their academic, social/emotional, and career skills based on gathered data.
Meet with students and parents regularly to discuss aspects of the students life such as
social/emotional, academics and career plans.
Pull and analyze data reports to make informed decisions in order to meet student goals and the
schools mission and vision.
Observe and participate in developing the master schedule for the following year.
Participate actively in 504 and Individualized Education Programs.
Deliver classroom presentations, increase students understanding of the college going process, high
school graduation requirements, and goal setting skills.
Potter Jr. High School
August 2014 to May 2015
School Counseling Intern
Fallbrook, CA
Observed, learned, and practiced American School Counselor Association techniques and skills.
Implemented an eight week small group Student Success Skills curriculum to 7th and 8th grade boys.
Collaborated with students, parents, and teachers regularly to discuss social/emotional, academic and
career topics.
Developed four year plans with 8th grade students.
Interviewed incoming 6 th grade students for articulation into AVID classes.
CalSOAP
September 2014 to April 2015
College Peer Advisor
San Diego, CA
Assisted students with navigating the college going process and applying for financial aid.
Collaborated with school personnel to ensure students were receiving the resources necessary to
succeed in college.
Easter Seals
Behavioral Interventionist
Fairfield, CA
Provided behavioral therapy to children and youth with autism.

July 2012 to May 2014

This involved developing data points, creating personal curriculum, implement intervention, record
data, and adjust curriculum as necessary.
This process required frequent communication between behavioral team, child or youth, parents, and
other professionals involved in the child or youths life.

Davis Senior High School

September 2011 to May 2012
Teachers Assistant
Davis, CA
Assist a special education teacher in carrying out the daily curriculum created for each student.
Worked one on one with students and also in small groups in developing social -emotional, academic,
and career skills.

Research Experience
San Diego Research Foundations
November 2014 to May 2016
Research Assistant
San Diego, CA
Assisted in conducting qualitative research on several major research projects regarding making
college more obtainable to high school students.
Interviewed educational personnel ranging from college presidents to students and faculty across the
country.
Collaborated with a research team to develop theories and reports for multiple studies.
Analyze educational systems with an equitable and realistic lens.
Medical Investigation Neurodevelopment Disorders Institute
November 2010 to May 2012
Lead Research Assistant
Sacramento, CA
Led a team of undergrad students to conduct a social group intervention for children with
autism in a longitudinal research study.
This involved gathering and analyzing data from the social intervention over two years to assess the
effectiveness of intervention with kids and their parents.
Communicated regularly with families and staff to set appointments for questionnaires and
assessments.
Also organized and led meetings with other interns to discuss reliability and deadlines for finishing
data collection and entering.
Coded social interactions of children while in a social group intervention applying ESDM .

Certifications
30 day Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit
Mental Health First Aid Certification

Community Involvement

Coordinator for the 2015 White House Convening for School Counseling at San Diego State
University
Presented a research poster at the 2015 California Association of School Counselors Conference.
Summer Melt Center, Hoover High School, summer 2015- supported seniors with getting to college.
Cardinal Camp, Hoover High School, summer 2015- bridging eighth grade students into high school
College and Career day, Potter Jr. High School, 2015,2016- assisted with logistics, and gave presentations
Bikes for Kids, 2015- assembled bicycle to donate to students who do not have a bicycle

Affiliations
American School Counseling Association (ASCA), 2014-2016
California Association of School Counselors (CASC), 2014-2016