Tommy (Tom) D. Bledsoe, Sr.
5375 Victoria Falls
Grovetown, Georgia 30813
Home: 706.651.1638
Cell: 706.627.4937SUMMARY: Goal-oriented, solution-focused, problem-solving, people-minded team player with wide-range of experiences, competencies and skills in educational, mental health, and ministerial fields as well as hands-on training in construction trade, prepared for creative leadership role.
JOB TITLE: Career Counselor
OBJECTIVE: Position in Administration/ Guidance
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (Career Development) Georgia State University, 1980
M.Ed. in Counseling, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 1972
Th.M., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1967
B.A. in English, Georgia State College 1964 – Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Infantry, U.S.A.R. (R.O.T.C. graduate)
Diploma, Headland High School, East Point, Georgia 1960
Post-graduate work: West Georgia College, Converse College, The Citadel, Columbia College, Coastal Carolina University, Winthrop University, University of Georgia
CERTIFICATION, LICENSES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Educator Certificate (SC) Doctorate - Areas 86& 89: Guidance- Elementary& Secondary
Georgia Educator Certificate #238305 Level 7 Type S, Field - School Counseling (P-12); add-on L-5 certification studies in Educational Leadership initiated in May 2005 (three semesters online through University of Georgia) to be completed April 2006
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia (License #000248) and in South Carolina (License #2844)
Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Chair, Augusta Chapter of Georgia AAMFT (1993-94)
Global Career Development Facilitator
Member, Association for Career and Technology Education (ACTE Guidance Division)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
In Education: Atlanta Public Schools (1970-84); Aiken County Schools (1999-Present)
Career Counselor – (Present) Deliver services to more than 2103 students by introducing 5th graders to the World of Work (Byrd, Warrenville and Jefferson Elementary Schools) and encouraging exploration of opportunities to approximately 1000 middle school students (Langley-Bath-Clearwater and Leavelle-McCampbell Middle Schools). As the Aiken County Career & Technology Center Career Counselor assigned to Midland Valley High School, responsibilities entail assisting some 1142 ninth-twelfth graders with decision-making for post-secondary education and career choices. Duties include counseling, guidance, testing, scheduling, agency / state reports, and liaison work between the Career Center and the High School as well as with colleges and businesses.
College Faculty/Staff – Taught college level classes (i.e., pastoral care and missions) as adjunct faculty member for Brewton-Parker College, 1988-1990; worked with learning disabled students as Counselor-tutor for Reinhardt College (Academic Support Office), 1987-88; taught Psychology of Religion and New Testament Survey courses as adjunct professor for Mercer University’s Douglasville Campus, 1983-84
Guidance Counselor: 1974-84 Atlanta Public Schools – Delivered guidance services to 600 pupils each year; coordinated program via 19 teachers; articulated student body needs with political, community and post-secondary prospects; produced first "Million Dollar" senior class when graduating students as a whole were offered in excess of one million dollars in post-secondary educational opportunities.
Teacher: Returned to classroom in 1999 as Career Awareness teacher for 6th –8th graders at Aiken Middle School after 15-year hiatus from public schools. From 1970- 1974, Atlanta Public Schools, seventh grade teacher (language arts, math, science).
In Mental Health (Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Clinic): Demonstrated competencies in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and coordinating services combined with people skills led to management position. (1994-1999)
Program Director – supervised three employees, coordinated services to families as link between Department of Social Services, Juvenile Justice and Mental Health, maintained small case-load of family therapy clients
Psychologist – provided triage mental health screenings at Anderson Medical Center Emergency Room in evenings; simultaneously maintained case-load of between 150 and 200 clients while serving in the adult outpatient program which included individual, family and group therapeutic interventions (e.g., dual diagnosis patients, anxiety and depression, sexual perpetrators, anger management); managed similar case load while assigned to adolescent unit, providing comparable therapeutic services to adolescents and their families, sometimes linking home, school, and D.S.S.
In Ministry: Directed paid and unpaid staff, motivated volunteers to service. (1970-present)
Pastor: Wrens Baptist Church (1990-94) – led congregation in excess of 750 members; supervised two full-time and two part-time staff members; managed annual budget in excess of $300,000; active in civic organizations (including Kiwanis Club); retired building indebtedness of nearly $800,000; maintained television ministry via weekly broadcast; served as Moderator of Hephzibah Baptist Association; participated in mission trip to Russia and Republic of Georgia; served as President of Georgia Chapter of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni; and performed other pastoral duties including preaching, teaching, visiting, counseling, etc.
Pastor: Soperton First Baptist Church (1988-90) – led congregation of 500; supervised two full-time staff members, managed budget in excess of $200,000 annually; contributed to community via radio broadcast; taught as adjunct faculty for Brewton-Parker; active member of Lion’s Club; served as Vice-Moderator of Daniell Baptist Association of Churches; ameliorated racial tension and provided atmosphere for positive spiritual welfare of community via organizing and then serving as Moderator of the Treutlen County Ministerial Association (black and white congregations represented).
Pastor: Unity Baptist Church (1984-86) – led congregation with average Sunday School attendance of 200 and $200,000 annual budget; restored fiscal integrity, added 94 members in 18 months.
Pastor: bi-vocational founding minister of Arbor Heights (1974-77) – led in surveying area, securing land, locating architect and supervising first building phase of small congregation while developing full-range of programs.
Pastoral Counselor: Douglasville First Baptist (1977-80) – consultant for local churches to provide pastoral care and counseling to members and referrals. This later became Pastoral Counseling Associates housed in the manse of First Presbyterian Church until the congregation built a new facility.
In Construction: Employed in construction trade from age 15 until age 24 in variety of jobs primarily during Christmas, spring and summer breaks. Concentration of employment was on large work sites such as schools, hospitals, churches, housing projects, etc.
Laborer, carpenter’s helper – entry level
Labor Foreman--various job sites
Rod-man-- worked as Engineer’s assistant and rod-man for Blount Brothers Construction on Atlanta Airport
Superintendent –in –training (ABCO Builders via non-union Rogers Construction)—assigned to Friendship Center (Atlanta) project to learn the hands-on application. Responsibilities included managing payroll for sub-contractors; maintaining records for government (triplicate); serving as labor foreman; laying out building sites; operating Bobcat; ordering materials; and sundry tasks as assigned.
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Career Vita
