Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Professional Development
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Maria Knight

Dorchester

Summary

Dedicated and compassionate professional with over a decade of experience in academic support, youth outreach, and community engagement. Passionate about fostering student success, promoting equity, and creating inclusive learning environments. Seeking a role that integrates mental health, education, and advocacy to uplift underserved youth and families.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Coordinator

Mission Safe
Dorchester
08.2021 - Current
  • Reported to the Program Manager on outreach and community service performance, contributing to ongoing engagement strategy development.
  • Participated in staff trainings and community meetings to assess needs and enhance youth and family engagement initiatives.
  • Provided academic support in core subjects through tutoring and facilitated social skills development through individual counseling and group workshops.
  • Accompanied youth to court appointments, served as a translator when needed, and acted as a liaison between families, schools, and local law enforcement, including collaboration with Boston Police to educate students on legal rights and procedures.

Academic Paraprofessional

Edward Everett Elementary School
Dorchester
09.2020 - Current
  • Delivered academic and social-emotional instruction alongside lead teacher, implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and behavior management strategies for scholars aged four to seven.
  • Designed and facilitated daily lessons using diverse materials, while fostering self-help skills in activities of daily living such as dressing, hygiene, utensil use, and bathroom independence.
  • Collaborated closely with families and staff to ensure aligned support for students, including providing Cape Verdean Creole–English translation to strengthen communication.
  • Participated in school hiring processes as a member of the interview committee, contributing to staff selection decisions to support program excellence.

Social Work Intern

Edward Everett Elementary School
Dorchester
09.2025 - 06.2026
  • Conducted intake assessments and developed individualized student support plans in coordination with the Student Support Team.
  • Provided short-term counseling and facilitated targeted small groups addressing self-regulation, peer conflict, and other social-emotional needs.
  • Collaborated with families to strengthen home-school relationships and actively participated in IEP meetings to support accommodation plans.
  • Maintained accurate case documentation and supported compliance with mandated reporting procedures to ensure student safety and well-being.

Program Coordinator

Dorchester Youth Collaborative
Dorchester
08.2007 - 01.2021
  • Reported on outreach and community service performance to the Program Manager, while participating in staff trainings and community meetings to improve engagement strategies.
  • Provided academic tutoring in Math, History, English, Writing, and Reading to support student achievement across core subjects.
  • Delivered one-on-one counseling and facilitated group workshops focused on developing students’ social-emotional and interpersonal skills.
  • Accompanied youth to court appointments, provided translation services, and acted as a liaison between families, schools, and law enforcement, including collaboration with Boston Police to educate students on legal rights and procedures.

Academic Paraprofessional

Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School
Roxbury
10.2012 - 06.2020
  • Collaborated with lead teacher to implement academic and social-emotional instruction for scholars ages 4–7, supporting curriculum delivery through individualized and small-group activities.
  • Promoted student independence by guiding the development of self-help skills and supervising daily routines including snack, rest, and playtime.
  • Applied consistent behavior management practices and supported a safe learning environment by adhering to discipline protocols, mediating conflicts, and facilitating parent meetings.
  • Fostered family-school partnerships through translation support (Cape Verdean Creole), participated in behavioral interventions, and contributed to leadership hiring as a member of the principal selection committee.

Security Paraprofessional

Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School
Dorchester
10.2011 - 06.2012
  • Provided real-time English–Cape Verdean Creole translation to enhance parent-teacher communication and engagement.
  • Advocated for student needs by facilitating effective parent-teacher conferences and conflict resolution.
  • Managed the School Principal’s calendar, maintained daily attendance and transportation records, and triaged incoming calls and messages for the main office.
  • Compiled and analyzed student attendance data using platforms such as Liza, Aspen, MyBPS, Hub, and Sub-Central to support administrative decision-making and reporting.

Education

M.A. - Mental Health & School Adjustment Counseling

Cambridge College
Boston, MA
06.2025

B.A. - Criminal Justice

University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA
06.2012

Skills

  • Curriculum development
  • Individual counseling
  • Crisis intervention
  • Conflict resolution
  • Behavior management
  • Cultural competency
  • Enrichment activities
  • Classroom inclusion
  • Social integration
  • Learning modalities
  • Group and individual instruction
  • IEP knowledge
  • Reporting requirements
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Microsoft Office suite
  • Aspen and Sub-Central

Certification

  • Early Education (K–2, Emergency)
  • Elementary (1–6, Emergency)
  • Mathematics (1–6, Emergency)

Languages

  • English, Fluent
  • Cape Verdean Creole, Fluent
  • Spanish, Proficient

Professional Development

  • Responsive Classroom Training, 2015
  • Member, National Society of Leadership and Success, Present

Languages

Cade Verde Creole
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Professional

Timeline

Social Work Intern

Edward Everett Elementary School
09.2025 - 06.2026

Program Coordinator

Mission Safe
08.2021 - Current

Academic Paraprofessional

Edward Everett Elementary School
09.2020 - Current

Academic Paraprofessional

Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School
10.2012 - 06.2020

Security Paraprofessional

Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School
10.2011 - 06.2012

Program Coordinator

Dorchester Youth Collaborative
08.2007 - 01.2021

M.A. - Mental Health & School Adjustment Counseling

Cambridge College

B.A. - Criminal Justice

University of Massachusetts

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Maria Knight