CORY W. WAY, M.S. B.A.

760-481-5574 | CORY.W.WAY@GMAIL.COM | WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/CORYWAY

February 17th, 2017
Dear School Counselor Hiring Staff:
I am writing to express my interest in the School Counseling position. In May of this year, I will have
completed my Masters of Science in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling in
conjunction with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential from San Diego State University. My
experience working at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, Mission Middle School in
Escondido, Fallbrook Union Elementary and High School District in Fallbrook, and as a Court
Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth in La Mesa has contributed to my passion in
working with diverse students and families. This experience has contributed to my personal belief
that using healthy, collaborative, and holistic approaches will motivate every student to achieve
their fullest potential.

In addition to my experience within the school system, I have been trained by a nationally
recognized counseling program, San Diego State University. By using the ASCA Model I can design,
implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program. I use data to identify school
and student needs, implement evidence-based interventions, and analyze the results of those
interventions. For example, to increase A-G rates at Mission Hills High School, I created and
facilitated a classroom presentation for 10th grade students, which resulted in a 135% increase in
students starting a four-year plan. At Mission Middle School in Escondido, I used academic data to
identify students for tier-two behavioral interventions and created a 6-week curriculum on growth
mindset which resulted in an increased GPA among participants. Further topics I have studied and
practiced at SDSU include: restorative practices, cultural competency, solution focused brief
therapy, motivational interviewing, strength-based counseling, and legal and ethical expectations.

Being a part of the Culturally Affirming Response Education Specialists (CARES) Grant for the past
two years has taught me how to work with students in foster care and those that have experienced
trauma. I have been trained in Trauma Informed Care and appointed by SD County Superior Court
to advocate for foster youth in the courts as a CASA. The Grant provided me with the knowledge
and skills to assist foster students successful transition from school to school with a timely transfer
of documents in order to comply with AB 490 and AB 167/216, if appropriate.

This passion for working in the helping profession started after high school when I served as a
resource counselor for special needs adults at Care-Rite Vocational Services and grew over eight
months working in orphanages in Kenya, Uganda and Swaziland. Through these experiences and
my recent work in local schools, I have learned I have an affinity for working with student
backgrounds different from my own. Personally, the most impactful and most important
experiences at these schools was working with unduplicated pupils and undocumented families. As
I worked with these students and families, I found a common strength among themresilience. And
with an equitable education, I whole heartedly believe every student can be successful.

I look forward to further discussing my interest in your School Counseling position. Thank you for
your consideration.

Sincerely,

Cory W. Way