Katie Larson - Strictly Running: Race Timer & Operations - Strictly Running

Summary

Dedicated and highly motivated professional with five years of experience specializing in frontline crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and institutional leadership within high-poverty spaces in an elementary school setting. Proven track record of managing confidential electronic case logging, coordinating multi-system resources, and leading cross-functional professional teams. An empathetic, solutions-focused operator adept at building rapid psychological safety and applying empowerment-based frameworks to help individuals navigate acute distress and regain autonomy.

Overview

5

years of professional experience

Work History

Strictly Running: Race Timer & Operations

Strictly Running

Columbia

01.2024 - Current

Managed real-time data input and technical logistics in fast-paced athletic events, ensuring flawless accuracy under high-pressure conditions.
Adapted quickly to unpredictable conditions, resolved logistical bottlenecks through independent decision-making and effective problem-solving.
Served as visible point of contact, ensuring clear communication and safety while supporting diverse public demographic and enhancing operational efficiency.

4th Grade Teacher & Team Lead

Lexington One School District

Gilbert

07.2021 - 05.2026

Frontline Crisis Intervention & Trauma Care: Provided daily, trauma-informed crisis intervention and emotional triage for individuals and families navigating deep situational and systemic hardships within a Title I, high-poverty community.
De-escalation & Safety Planning: Utilized verbal de-escalation frameworks to stabilize individuals experiencing acute emotional distress, panic, and behavioral crises; designed and executed immediate safety plans to ensure psychological safety.
Cross-System Case Management: Served as a primary liaison connecting vulnerable individuals with multi-departmental networks, collaborating closely with school psychologists, social workers, counselors, and state agencies (DSS).
Instruction in Coping Mechanisms: Formulated and facilitated targeted social-emotional regulation frameworks, directly teaching coping skills and self-advocacy to help individuals process stress and regain personal autonomy.
Confidential Documentation & Compliance: Cultivated strict operational discipline in writing mandated reports and maintaining meticulous, timeline-driven digital case logs under strict federal privacy standards (FERPA).
Institutional Leadership & Project Management: Appointed by district personnel to author 4th-grade science curriculum and SC READY review materials for district-wide implementation, successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder priorities on tight deadlines.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitated school-level Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) and active membership on the School Counseling Advisory Committee, utilizing localized data to drive comprehensive outreach strategies.
Professional Development Integration: Completed multi-day specialized training conferences for AVID site teams and district PLT practices to strengthen programmatic equity, organizational frameworks, and team-wide communication.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC

05-2021

Skills

Advocacy & Support: Crisis Intervention, Verbal De-escalation, Trauma-Informed Practices, Safety Planning, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Risk Assessment
Systems & Collaboration: Case Management, Resource Navigation, Cross-Departmental Liaison, Multidisciplinary Team Leadership, Conflict Resolution
Operations & Tech: Meticulous Electronic Record-Keeping, Data-Driven Evaluation, FERPA Compliance/Data Security, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Canva
Instructional Design & Material Development: Experienced in taking complex concepts (like data, history, or science) and breaking them down into highly engaging, easy-to-understand educational resources, flyers, and digital presentations
Targeted Lesson Planning & Objective Mapping: Skilled at designing educational programs with clear, measurable goals to ensure participants actually retain the information
Curriculum Alignment: Proven ability to analyze institutional standards and create content that perfectly aligns with state, federal, or university guidelines

Facilitation & Workshop Delivery: Comfortable standing up in front of diverse groups—from small teams to large audiences—to present workshops, lead discussions, and deliver training
Adult/Professional Learning Facilitation: Experienced in training peers and professional colleagues (like you did at the Summer Institute and in your PLTs), understanding how to engage adult learners effectively
Formative & Summative Assessment Strategies: Skilled at checking for understanding in real-time and adjusting your delivery on the fly if the audience isn't grasping the concept
Data-Informed Program Modification: Practiced at looking at performance metrics and feedback data to revamp and improve future educational sessionsDifferentiated Instruction: The ability to alter your communication style to match the unique learning styles, background knowledge, and cultural needs of whoever you are talking to
Interactive & Collaborative Learning: Skilled at creating welcoming environments where people feel safe participating, sharing their thoughts, and working together

Accomplishments

Top 5 Teacher of the Year Finalist (2024): Recognized out of entire school faculty for exceptional leadership, community impact, and dedication to equity in high-poverty spaces.
Lexington One Education Foundation Innovation Grant Co-Recipient: Successfully secured grant funding for virtual reality educational integration, managing the deployment of technological resources.
Featured Conference Presenter: Developed and delivered the session “Revamping Elementary Social Studies in High Poverty Spaces” at the District Summer Institute, focusing on trauma-aware institutional design.
Certifications: South Carolina Professional Educator License, LETRS Certification (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), Read to Succeed Institutional Certification.

Timeline