Elementary School Counselor

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MA

11d

About The Position

As members of the Department of Student Support Services, School Counselors provide a comprehensive developmental guidance program, which meets the academic, personal, social, and career development of their assigned students. School Counselors provide and support the delivery of specific skills and information in a proactive, preventative manner to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve school success. School Counselors collaborate with other student support services personnel and other school staff in the delivery of services. 1. Responsible to the Principal working in conjunction with the Director of Student Support Services. 2. Implement a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which addresses the Counseling Standards and Student Priorities a. Conduct student development (guidance curriculum) lessons in the classroom and in large groups. b. Facilitate the integration of the student development (guidance) curriculum into the educational curricula. c. Select topics and resources consistent with school identified objectives. d. Conduct orientation activities for students new to the school. e. Provide elementary to middle school and middle to high school transitional activities. f. Assist student with developing educational and career goals. g. Provide school-to-work guidance activities using resources, e.g., Choices Explorer, Career Information System, and the Graduate Profile Planner/Planning Guide for the middle school. h. Provide guidance for middle school of choice planning and application process. i. Interpret standardized test results. 3. Conduct structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions in response to identified needs relative to achievement and school success of individuals and groups of students. a. Counsel whole class, small groups and individual students. b. Use the MA Curriculum Frameworks and relevant student achievement data in advising students. 4. Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding the developmental needs of students. a. Conduct and facilitate conferences with teachers, students, and parents. b. Model appropriate behavior with student, parent, and colleague interactions. c. Maintain records to document interactions, interventions, and decisions. 5. Refer students and their parents to community agencies, programs, or specialists as appropriate. a. Maintain a comprehensive list of district and community resources. b. Consult and coordinate with in-district and community agencies. c. Consult with school staff members for appropriate student placement, e.g., regular education, English Language Learners, special programs. 6. Operate as an advocate with all students utilizing skills that respect issues of cultural and ethnic diversity and equity for every student and family. 7. Participate in the evaluation and revision of the school counselor program. a. Annually review the guidance program. b. Plan the guidance program calendar. c. Participate in developing a budget to support the counselor program. d. Assess counselors’ role in supporting the school improvement plan. 8. Fulfill professional responsibilities. a. Maintain confidentiality. b. Maintain records consistent with ethical and legal guidelines. c. Perform responsibilities in an organized, accurate, timely and dependable manner. d. Assist students with course selections, which are the most challenging for their high school and career plans. e. Operate within the federal and state laws and the established district and school procedures and policies. f. Provide support for other school and district programs and personnel. g. Attend district professional development and meetings. h. Keep informed of current professional trends. i. Utilize computers effectively in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. j. Pursue professional growth. k. Complete other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Certification as a School Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Knowledge of theories of intellectual, social, and emotional development.
Familiarity with philosophy, principles, and practices in school guidance counseling.
Familiarity with mental health and emotional impairments including learning disorders affecting student achievement.
Familiarity with prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in students.
Experience in crisis management and intervention.
Experience with a comprehensive school counseling program.
Familiarity with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Familiarity with the American School Counselor Association Framework for School Counseling Programs.
Ten hours at least beyond the bachelor’s degree in counseling or an allied subject such as the psychology of tests and measurements.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to those with advanced degree training in guidance.
Successful teaching experience in the secondary schools is preferred. Previous employment experience in a counseling position in a school, community agency or social service organization may be considered in lieu of successful teaching experience in the secondary schools with the approval of the Superintendent of Schools.

Responsibilities

Implement a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which addresses the Counseling Standards and Student Priorities
Conduct student development (guidance curriculum) lessons in the classroom and in large groups.
Facilitate the integration of the student development (guidance) curriculum into the educational curricula.
Select topics and resources consistent with school identified objectives.
Conduct orientation activities for students new to the school.
Provide elementary to middle school and middle to high school transitional activities.
Assist student with developing educational and career goals.
Provide school-to-work guidance activities using resources, e.g., Choices Explorer, Career Information System, and the Graduate Profile Planner/Planning Guide for the middle school.
Provide guidance for middle school of choice planning and application process.
Interpret standardized test results.
Conduct structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions in response to identified needs relative to achievement and school success of individuals and groups of students.
Counsel whole class, small groups and individual students.
Use the MA Curriculum Frameworks and relevant student achievement data in advising students.
Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding the developmental needs of students.
Conduct and facilitate conferences with teachers, students, and parents.
Model appropriate behavior with student, parent, and colleague interactions.
Maintain records to document interactions, interventions, and decisions.
Refer students and their parents to community agencies, programs, or specialists as appropriate.
Maintain a comprehensive list of district and community resources.
Consult and coordinate with in-district and community agencies.
Consult with school staff members for appropriate student placement, e.g., regular education, English Language Learners, special programs.
Operate as an advocate with all students utilizing skills that respect issues of cultural and ethnic diversity and equity for every student and family.
Participate in the evaluation and revision of the school counselor program.
Annually review the guidance program.
Plan the guidance program calendar.
Participate in developing a budget to support the counselor program.
Assess counselors’ role in supporting the school improvement plan.
Fulfill professional responsibilities.
Maintain confidentiality.
Maintain records consistent with ethical and legal guidelines.
Perform responsibilities in an organized, accurate, timely and dependable manner.
Assist students with course selections, which are the most challenging for their high school and career plans.
Operate within the federal and state laws and the established district and school procedures and policies.
Provide support for other school and district programs and personnel.
Attend district professional development and meetings.
Keep informed of current professional trends.
Utilize computers effectively in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
Pursue professional growth.
Complete other duties as assigned by the Principal.