Suzanne Rodriguez, Ed.D., M.S.W., P.P.S.C., C.P.S.I. School Administration & Social Work Expert

Suzanne Rodriguez, School Administration & Social Work Expert

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.

Professional Experience

Robson Forensic, Inc.

Associate

2019 to present

Provide 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.

California State University, Fresno Department of Social Work Education, MSW Program

Lecturer

2019 to present
  • Prepare advanced students for Pupil Personnel Services Credential and social work in schools
  • Educate advanced social work practitioners to meet complex client needs and perform in a variety of roles using multiple social work practice methodologies

California State University, Fresno Department of Social Work Education, BSW & MSW Program

Field Instructor

1998 to 2019
  • Supervised bachelor and master's level social work interns
  • Assigned, provided and supervised student internship tasks
  • Conducted weekly supervision meetings with interns
  • Evaluated social work intern social work progress and practice
  • Provided ongoing direction and constructive social work practice feedback
  • Ensured student compliance and alignment of internship tasks with social work department and pupil personnel services credential competencies

Dinuba Unified School District

2011 to 2019
Principal, Dinuba Alternative Education 2013-2019
  • Vista Continuation High School and Ronald Reagan Academy)
  • Managed all school site budgets/spending, staffing, master schedules, curriculum, instruction, academic advising, facilities, college and career preparation, and educational programs
  • Program development and coordination of student services for all school sites
  • Collected and analyzed data and related report writing and presentations
  • Co-facilitated Educational Options multi-disciplinary meetings
  • Taught adult school Time Management and Organization classes
  • Facilitated new student orientations for all programs

Assistant Principal, Dinuba High School 2011-2013

  • Med Pathway Academy Coordinator; program coordination and academic advising
  • Facilitated pathway advisory board meetings
  • Managed and monitored program budget, student recruitment efforts, eligibility, equity in enrollment and student academic progress
  • Facilitated and monitored Science Department meetings, instruction and student data
  • Conducted classroom observations, teacher evaluations and feedback
  • Coordinated campus-wide CAHSEE state testing
  • Coordinated 504 plans – facilitation of 504 referrals, initial and yearly reviews, 504 plans and management of 504 files and related communications
  • Conducted student and staff discipline (Interviews/Investigations/Reports)
  • Participated in/facilitated Individual Education Plans (IEP), 504, SST, SARB and Expulsion hearings/meetings
  • Provided campus safety and supervision; crisis intervention and counseling
  • Retrieved, reviewed and analyzed data and complete related reports
  • Coordinated and facilitated PBIS/Discipline Committee
  • Conducted suspension and expulsion recommendations and related reports

Pearson

CalAPA Assessor

2018 to 2019

Reviewed and scored CalAPA – Cycle 3 – California administrative credential preparation document submissions.

Kings Canyon Unified School District

2000 to 2011
Learning Director, Reedley High School 2009-2011
  • Coordinated and monitored all Career Technical Education (CTE) programs
  • Managed Perkins grants, reports and CTE program planning, monitoring, work with community advisory board and facilitate advisory board meetings
  • Provided academic and personal counseling, academic advising and crisis intervention
  • Conducted student and staff discipline (Interviews/Investigations/Reports)
  • Facilitated parent and community relations
  • Facilitated Parent/Teacher club and school site council
  • Facilitated Discipline Committee facilitation/School Safety (Teachers, staff and community members)
  • Facilitated RTI (Response to Intervention) leadership facilitation
  • Participated as panel member for district SARB – (Student Attendance Review Board) panel member
  • Taught Algebra Intervention

Learning Director, Citrus Middle School 2006-2009

  • Coordinated After School Program staff, budget and related reports
  • Planned, developed and monitored Violence Prevention grant program and budget and community advisory meeting facilitation
  • Coordinated annual college and career fair and health fair
  • Conducted student academic advising, counseling and course schedule development
  • Provided campus safety and supervision; crisis intervention
  • Conducted classroom observations, feedback, evaluations and staff professional development
  • Facilitated and coordinated Parent/Teacher club and School Site Council
  • Facilitated discipline and School Safety committees (Teachers, staff and community members)
  • Taught ELD class

School Social Worker, Citrus Middle School 2004-2006

  • Developed School Community Violence Prevention Grant (2 times for 2 different sites), received funding for both and facilitated and monitored grant plan from start up
  • Organized and facilitated grant advisory committee
  • Coordinated grant programs/services and completion of required reports
  • Conducted individual/family counseling, clinical assessments, home visits and develop case plans
  • Coordinated and taught violence prevention curriculum
  • Conducted Mediation - Conflict Resolution
  • Conducted student academic advising, counseling and course schedule development
  • Coordinated and participated in Student Study Team and Individual Education Plans (IEP) meetings
  • Monitored student attendance and academic performance
  • Coordinated safe and drug free schools project and curriculum coordination
  • Managed AB 1113 Safety grant budget and purchasing

School Social Worker, Kings Canyon Unified School District 2000-2003

  • Provided individual/family counseling, clinical assessments, home visits and develop case plans
  • Coordinated and taught violence prevention curriculum
  • Provided Mediation – Conflict Resolution
  • Conducted student academic advising, counseling and course schedule development
  • Coordinated and participated in Student Study Team and Individual Education Plans (IEP) meetings
  • Monitored student attendance and academic performance
  • Coordinated safe and drug free school project and curriculum coordination
  • Managed AB 1113 Safety grant budget and purchasing

Fresno Unified School District

School Social Worker

2003 to 2004
  • Conducted Bio/Psycho/Social assessments
  • Provided mental health counseling
  • Developed and monitored treatment and case plans
  • Facilitated School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Meetings Provided case management
  • Conducted student academic advising, counseling and transition planning
  • Coordinated and participated in Student Study Team (SST) and Individual Education Plans (IEP) meetings
  • Monitored student attendance and academic performance
  • Provided crisis intervention

Tulare County Health and Human Services

Court Representative-Child Welfare Social Worker

1997 to 2000
  • Reviewed social work court reports & court orders
  • Attended and prepared for court hearings on behalf of social workers
  • Responded to court/judge/attorney social worker case inquiries
  • Prepared court reports
  • Managed caseload
  • Conducted home visits (children, parents, foster homes, group homes)
  • Coordinated and referred children and families to community resources
  • Attended IEP, 504 meetings on behalf of children
  • Provided On-Call emergency response

Fresno County Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Fenix Out-Patient Program for Men

Program Director

1993 to 1995
  • Managed all program operations budget, and staff
  • Facilitated alcohol/drug counseling and education groups
  • Conducted family and individual counseling
  • Provided community outreach presentations
  • Provided information and referral to community services
  • Conducted intake assessments

Monterey County Health and Human Services Patterns Perinatal Day Treatment Program

Alcohol/Drug Counselor

1992 to 1993
  • Facilitated alcohol/drug counseling and education groups
  • Conducted family and individual counseling
  • Provided community outreach
  • Provided information and referral to community services
  • Conducted intake assessments
  • Developed and monitored case plans
  • Conducted drug testing
  • Provided transportation of program clients

Fresno County Adult Probation

Probation Officer I

1992
  • Conducted probation intake interviews
  • Reviewed probation court orders
  • Assigned probationers to adult offender work program
  • Requested warrants of arrest for non-compliance of probation orders
  • Provided information and referral including DUI and anger management referrals
  • Managed probationers and complied with probation/court orders

Bella Vida Group Home/Youth Today Group Home, Fresno/Madera, California

Group Home Counselor

1990 to 1992
  • Provided case management (progress notes)
  • Supervised 10 female youth (day, night and overnight)
  • Distributed and monitored medication
  • Mediation/Conflict Resolution
  • Facilitated youth forums/groups
  • Provided transportation to and from appointments
  • Met and reported to probation officers and social workers
  • Completed progress reports
  • Provided peer mentoring and counseling
  • Provided crisis intervention

Professional Credentials

  • California Administrative Credential
  • California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (School Counseling, School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance Specializations)
  • Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI)

Education

  • Ed.D., California State University, Fresno, California, 2019
  • Administrative Services Credential, Educational Leadership Credential Program, California State University, Fresno, California, 2005
  • M.S.W., California State University, Fresno, California, 1997
  • B.S., Criminology, California State University, Fresno, California, 1991

Professional Memberships

  • American Educational Research Association
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

v. 08/22/22

Related Resources

See All of Suzanne's Published Content

School Emergency Planning

By Suzanne Rodriguez & Lisa A. Thorsen
Expert Overview

In this article, the supervision and education experts at Robson Forensic outline steps/areas that school districts and schools can include in their Emergency Operations Plans (EOP) to ensure…

School Playgrounds as Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations

By Suzanne Rodriguez
Expert Article

Schools that utilize the playground as an entry and exit location for student pick up and drop off face a number of security challenges due to the size, number of access points, pedestrian and foot…

School Safety: Discipline Policies & Procedures

By Suzanne Rodriguez
Expert Article

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,…

Extracurricular Activities

Thursday, April 15, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Featuring Suzanne Rodriguez, Joseph A. Blackman, Benjamin Wixon
Webinar

The requirements for student safety and supervision in after-school programs such as clubs, sports teams, and intramural activities are often more nuanced than with traditional classroom activities.…

Child Care & School Safety: Forensic Evaluation of Facility-Based Programs

Wednesday, June 03, 2020
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Featuring Lisa A. Thorsen, Janice S. P. Inman, Suzanne Rodriguez
Video Webinar

This webinar video focuses on the industry standards relevant to providing safe facility-based programs for pre-school and school-aged children. Panelists from our Supervision practice group examine…