In this article, School Administration & Social Work Expert, Dr. Suzanne Rodriguez, discusses school discipline policies and procedures as they relate to the prevention of subsequent violence,…
Dr. Suzanne Rodriguez is an expert in school administration and social work with nearly 30 years of professional experience. She applies her expertise to forensic casework involving instances of injury, abuse, and negligence that occur with educational and social service facilities/organizations.
Dr. Rodriguez served as Principal and Assistant Principal at the Dinuba Unified School District for nearly a decade prior to joining Robson Forensic. In these capacities she worked directly with students, teachers, and other support professionals to facilitate 504 plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), Student Study Teams (SST), School Attendance Review Boards (SARB), and Expulsion hearings. Working in both a conventional high school setting as well as alternative education environment, Suzanne had direct experience in campus safety and supervision, including student and staff discipline. Prior to her experience as a Principal, Dr. Rodriguez worked as a Learning Director and School Social Worker at the middle and high school levels.
Before she began working in public education, Dr. Rodriguez worked for over 10 years in social services as an alcohol and other drug counselor, program director, and as both a court and probation officer. Here Dr. Rodriguez was responsible for assessing individuals, providing counseling and intervention services, facilitating program services to promote positive social-emotional outcomes, and guiding individuals through social services to promote individual growth, health, and safety. She has direct experience working with children and adults who have experienced foster care, group homes, and correctional facilities. Dr. Rodriguez remains active in social work, teaching Master of Social Work level, Advanced School Social Work courses at Fresno State University.
Dr. Rodriguez earned her Doctorate in Education in addition to her Masters of Social Work and Bachelor of Science degrees. She holds credentials from the State of California relevant to school administration, school counseling, school social work, and child welfare and attendance. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Educational Research Association.
Experienced principal and leader with a demonstrated history of working in the educational administration and social work field including K-12 and adult school systems
School Administration: School and educational program oversight, teacher evaluation, curriculum development, budget management, school culture development, school accreditation, hiring and retention practices, staff professional development, staff evaluations and discipline, student services.
School Discipline: Investigations, suspensions, expulsions, teacher/student discipline, California education discipline code, manifestation determination, School-Wide Information System (SWIS), youth court.
School Safety: School safety plans, lockdown drills, fire drills, active shooter drills, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), school safety grant writing and planning, terrorist threat assessment, weapon possession, any student or staff training in regard to safe school climate.
Playground Safety: Certified as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector to evaluate age-appropriate playground equipment, surfacing, maintenance, maintenance records, safety, supervision, and the adherence to national playground standards and guidelines. Experience, education, and training in supervision, playground safety, and in ensuring school ground maintenance, safety, training of staff, and enforcement of program policies and procedures related to staff, student, and school safety.
School Social Work: Bio/Psycho/Social assessment, intervention, case plans, individual, group, and family counseling, crisis intervention, violence prevention, peer mediation, anger management, intervention areas: homelessness, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, foster youth, substance abuse, use and possession, incarcerated youth, gang involvement, gang violence, bullying, sexual harassment, cyber bullying, child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect), mental health.
School Counseling: Academic advising, high school graduation requirements, course scheduling, college preparation and transition, 504 plans, Individual Education Plans (IEP), academic intervention, Student Study Teams (SST), student graduation plans
Child Welfare and Attendance: Attendance barriers, Student Attendance Review Board (SARB), attendance laws, Court Attendance Review Board (CARB).
Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multiple Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Academic, behavior and attendance intervention, special education, student study teams, intervention plans.
Alternative Education: Independent Study, Continuation High School, and Adult Education programs, alternative education placement
Instructional Leadership: Lesson planning, instruction, classroom management, common core state standards, assessment, state testing, academic intervention, discipline literacy, English Language Development (ELD), course master scheduling, online learning, special education, career technical education (CTE).
Substance Abuse: Outpatient treatment, day-treatment, intake assessment, aftercare, relapse, alcohol and other drug education, drug testing, individual, group and family counseling, codependency, outreach.
Associate
2019 to presentProvide forensic investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of claims and litigation involving the safety, security, social-emotional and educational well-being of students in public and private settings. Apply expertise to forensic casework involving instances of injury, abuse and negligence that occur in schools, foster care and group home facilities.
Lecturer
2019 to presentField Instructor
1998 to 2019Assistant Principal, Dinuba High School 2011-2013
CalAPA Assessor
2018 to 2019Reviewed and scored CalAPA – Cycle 3 – California administrative credential preparation document submissions.
Learning Director, Citrus Middle School 2006-2009
School Social Worker, Citrus Middle School 2004-2006
School Social Worker, Kings Canyon Unified School District 2000-2003
School Social Worker
2003 to 2004Court Representative-Child Welfare Social Worker
1997 to 2000Program Director
1993 to 1995Alcohol/Drug Counselor
1992 to 1993Probation Officer I
1992Group Home Counselor
1990 to 1992v. 08/22/22
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