Education:

Mt. San Antonio College (A.A. in Sociology & A.A. in Psychology)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (B.A. in Sociology)
The University of Texas at Austin (M.S.S.W. in Social Work, with a concentration in Clinical Social Work & specialization in Military Social Work)
Certified by the International TEFL Academy in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

Teaching Experience:

Brooke gained experience in the classroom while earning completing her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. During this time she volunteered as a teaching assistant for a multi-level English class aimed at helping English-learners practice their conversational English skills. Brooke further expanded her teaching experience while working as an Instructional Assistant at Hillsides Education Center, a private K-12 educational institution for children facing mental health and/or behavioral challenges. As an Instructional Assistant, Brooke was responsible for providing individualized and small group instruction to 5th and 6th grade students, as well as helping manage classroom behaviors and leading exercises aimed at promoting students' social-emotional learning and well being. Currently, Brooke also works as a substitute teacher for public charter schools within the greater Austin area, subbing for various grade levels and subjects, as well as offering support to special education programs.

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Counseling Experience:

Brooke has experience working with and mentoring at-risk youth. While working as a Rehabilitation Specialist for young adults, Brooke provided mental health services aimed at improving her clients' independent living skills and overall social & emotional well being, while also mentoring them in their academic endeavors and post-high school plans.

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Brooke also has first-hand experience navigating the college application process. Brooke is a first generation college graduate, including being the first in her family to obtain a graduate degree. Because of this, Brooke had to navigate the application processes herself, with the only help she received coming from individuals she had networked with and the general resources provided by her high school. Despite being difficult, this experience has positively shaped how Brooke views the college application/admissions process, as well as the overall college experience. Having this experience navigating college applications and college life, Brooke has become passionate about helping other aspiring college students achieve success in their secondary and post-secondary education. Through the years, she has helped close friends navigate the same challenges she encountered in college application process, often helping them secure acceptance into their goal colleges!

Educational/Counseling Philosophy:

"In order to help students succeed, I believe the single most important thing that an educator can do is build strong rapport with those they help. Getting to know your students and allowing them to feel heard, supported, and respected is important in helping them realize their true potential; once this is accomplished, we, as educators, can then focus on helping them build confidence in themselves, so that they are able to pursue a future that they are genuinely passionate and excited about, whatever that future may look like."

Interesting Fact:

Brooke played water polo competitively for 9 years, from 6th grade up until she graduated from Mt. San Antonio College in 2018.

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