Extended Term Substitute, Guidance Counselor (Jan-Apr 2025)

Cambridge, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Guidance Counselor will report directly to the Head of the Upper School (Gr. 6-8) and will work collaboratively with educators, administration, student support teams, and the district guidance department to support a high quality educational experience for all students.

Responsibilities

• Provides counseling services to students individually, in small groups, and within classrooms to support academic, social emotional, and career readiness skills.
• Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data.
• Plans, coordinates and provides classroom guidance lessons in the areas of academic skills, college and career readiness, and personal and social development.
• Participates in weekly student support meetings to review data and develop individual, classroom and school wide interventions to support student growth.
• Prepares students and families for the transition to high school.
• Supports standardized testing procedures and implementation.
• Serves as the case manager for students with Section 504 Plans.
• Assists in the development of the overall Upper School campus schedule and individual student schedules, including elective and advisory programming.
• Coordinates and supports the development and implementation of the school's advisory program.
• Monitors student attendance and works collaboratively with students, families, and staff to identify needs, develop interventions, and connect to resources to support growth in student.
• Works collaboratively with educators and administration to develop and implement community building programs and activities targeted towards positive adolescent development, safe learning environments, social emotional skill development, and academic and career planning.
• Intervenes during crisis situations and participates as a member on the school crisis team.
• Assesses student needs and supports families in obtaining services for their children through a referral and follow-up process.
• Supports students and parents' awareness of opportunities outside of school (after school) throughout the City of Cambridge and assists families in the registration process for programs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and remain current in research.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, clinical psychology, counseling, guidance, or other related field preferred. Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 3 years of successful related experience, preferably in a diverse, urban public education setting.
• Massachusetts School Guidance Counselor (All Levels) licensure preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and written.
• Commitment to Equity: Creates an environment that embraces students' culture to enhance individual growth and promote a positive identity.
• Committed to closing achievement gaps and ensuring that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to find potential innovative solutions.
• Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of students, families, and the school community.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in order to effectively promote student learning and growth.
• Data-Driven: Ability to analyze data to inform work and decision making, evaluate progress, and implement interventions and programming to support student learning and growth.