S. RENÉE WENTZ
Belize City
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Marriage and Family Therapist
CREATIVE COUNSELING OF BELIZE
Belize City
08.2019 - Current
- Give private therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
- Write consultancies and give presentations in mental health.
Lead Instructor
EMPOWERMENT SELF DEFENSE GLOBAL
07.2017 - Current
- Helped to create program to teach empowerment self defense worldwide.
- Created local program in Belize called SHE Thing Self Defense and Personal Safety, 2002-Present.
Student Counselor
UNIVERSITY OF BELIZE
Belize City
07.2011 - 10.2020
- Advised students about academic, career, and emotional/mental health issues at Belize City and Toledo campuses.
- Performed initial assessment and referral for mental health.
- Planned programs (dating violence, sexual health, conflict resolution, substance abuse, etc.) for student life enhancement.
- Provided classroom instruction/presentation on relevant subject matter at request of lecturers.
- Served on ATLIB Sports Disciplinary Committee.
- Instructed students and faculty in self-defense at all campuses.
- Assisted student government and other clubs in planning and completing activities and projects.
Student Advisor/Counselor
COROZAL JUNIOR COLLEGE
Corozal Town
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Advised students about academic, career, and emotional/mental health issues.
- Performed initial assessment and referral for mental health.
- Planned programs (dating violence, sexual health, conflict resolution, substance abuse, etc.) for student life enhancement.
- Instructed psychology courses.
- Provided classroom instruction/presentation on relevant subject matter at request of lecturers.
- Created and instructed the CJC Women's Self-Defense Club and Gentlemen's Club (martial arts for males).
- Served on ATLIB Sports Disciplinary Committee.
- Provided first aid to CJC sports teams.
Communications Studies Instructor
MUFFLES JUNIOR COLLEGE
Orange Walk Town
01.2004 - 08.2009
- Pioneered implementation of Communication Studies courses as part of the Ministry of Education's required Caribbean Advanced Placement Examination (CAPE) curriculum.
- Planned lessons with creativity.
- Provided classroom instruction and individual assistance.
- Advised students about academic and personal issues.
- Moderated Torres House cocurricular activities.
- Developed campus-wide Writing Laboratory.
- Created and instructed the MJC Women's Self-Defense Club.
- Served on Disciplinary Advisory Committee, Ad-Hoc Planning Committee, and ATLIB Sports Disciplinary Committee.
- Provided first aid to MJC sports teams.
- Awarded Teacher of the Year, May 2008.
Special Education Assistant
MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Madison, WI
02.2001 - 01.2002
- Collaborated with special education team on Individualized Services Plan (ISP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation.
- Provided one on one and group support to children with severe emotional, behavioral, physical, and developmental disabilities.
- Assisted with instruction, managed behavior, recorded data, and provided personal care assistance.
Intake/Outreach Coordinator
COMMUNITY LIVING ALLIANCE
Madison, WI
12.1997 - 06.2000
- Interviewed and assessed individuals with disabilities for in-home long term support programs.
- Provided information about and referral to community services.
- Responsible for acquiring and maintaining materials for resource library used by staff and clients.
- Developed and maintained confidential database of all agency clients and waiting lists.
- Member of Grievance Committee responsible for hearing client complaints and making recommendations.
- Instituted, edited, typeset, wrote, photographed and distributed agency newsletter to clients, referral sources, and staff.
- Conducted public relations activities with possible referral sources with in-person presentations of agency programs and services.
- Planned annual picnic for clients, referral sources, and staff.
Job Placement Support Specialist
FOCUSCORP, INC.
Madison, WI
01.1996 - 11.1997
- Assisted individuals with barriers to employment obtain and maintain employment.
- Client barriers included: physical, emotional, and mental disabilities, socio-economic disadvantages, substance abuse, poor work history, criminal records, language/cultural differences, and advanced age.
- Provided assessment of skills and goals; coordinated and developed individualized program plans; educated participants in job search activities; and provided vocational and personal adjustment counseling.
- Responsible for job development and short-term job coaching.
Family Intervention Specialist
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
DeKalb, IL
08.1992 - 01.1996
- Provided intensive in-home family systems based services to families with indicated reports of child abuse/neglect.
- Assessed family needs and developed service plan; provided family therapy and parent education; advocated for clients; made referrals to community.
- Completed program paperwork, including juvenile court reports.
- Supervised other employees during Program Manager absences.
Qualified Mental Retardation Professional
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DeKalb, IL
05.1989 - 07.1992
- Served as counselor for developmentally disabled adults in community living program.
- Established group therapy involving interpersonal relationships.
- Responsible for staff supervision and training.
Academic Advisor/Computer Consultant/Graduate Assistant
HUMAN AND FAMILY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT/UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
DeKalb, IL
08.1989 - 07.1992
- Provided undergraduate advisement to incoming freshmen in Honors Program.
- Wrote programs to analyze research data and statistics on mainframe and personal computers; input and maintained data; installed hardware and software; and instructed faculty and staff in word processing.
Timeline
Marriage and Family Therapist
CREATIVE COUNSELING OF BELIZE
08.2019 - Current
Lead Instructor
EMPOWERMENT SELF DEFENSE GLOBAL
07.2017 - Current
Student Counselor
UNIVERSITY OF BELIZE
07.2011 - 10.2020
Student Advisor/Counselor
COROZAL JUNIOR COLLEGE
08.2009 - 06.2011
Communications Studies Instructor
MUFFLES JUNIOR COLLEGE
01.2004 - 08.2009
Special Education Assistant
MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
02.2001 - 01.2002
Intake/Outreach Coordinator
COMMUNITY LIVING ALLIANCE
12.1997 - 06.2000
Job Placement Support Specialist
FOCUSCORP, INC.
01.1996 - 11.1997
Family Intervention Specialist
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
08.1992 - 01.1996
Academic Advisor/Computer Consultant/Graduate Assistant
HUMAN AND FAMILY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT/UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
08.1989 - 07.1992
Qualified Mental Retardation Professional
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS
05.1989 - 07.1992