Rita has been practicing as a licensed social worker for 23 years. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work in 1998 and her Master's Degree in Social Work in 2008 from The Ohio State University.
Through this experience Rita worked at several community agencies, Franklin County Juvenile Courts and school districts. She has also worked in Reynoldsburg City schools as a school social worker for 2 elementary buildings for 5 years before taking the job of the Behavioral Health Coordinator for the district in 2008. She worked with staff, students and their families to help identify barriers to a student’s emotional, social and academic success. She worked with teachers classroom management, conducting functional behavior assessments, behavior plans and progress monitoring for students displaying behavior issues. In addition, she provided yearly CPI training for the Reynoldsburg staff and was homeless liaison for the district.
In 2015, Rita was employed in Whitehall City Schools as the lead district School Social Worker for Beechwood Elementary for 6 years. In this role she works with students, staff and families to help provide resources to families in need as well as work with students that have trauma and need tools for emotional regulation. She continues her work with staff and students in identifying barriers to learning. She is an active member of Beechwood’s MTSS team and facilitates the PBIS team for Beechwood.
Rita has always had a passion to work with a diverse group of at-risk kids in the education arena. Mental Health is a strong focus for her as it continues to evolve throughout the district with students and families. Rita provides both social/emotional support for students and families using an integrated approach tailored to the unique needs for each client. Rita believes that change occurs when people are given the tools they need to build on their own talents and attain their own potential in order to live happy, satisfying lives.