Guidance Counselor

Woburn Public Schools•Woburn, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The High School Guidance Counselor reports to the Head of Guidance and the Principal and is expected to work closely with all school personnel. S/he will provide a safe, equitable, culturally responsive environment with high expectations for all students. The High School Counselor (9-12) is an employee member of the school staff designated by the Superintendent of Schools to work in partnership with families, school personnel and state and local agencies to promote the ongoing development of each student’s academic, personal/social, and career potential. The primary goal of the school counselor is to provide a comprehensive competency-based counseling program focused on the learning, personal/social and career/vocational needs of all students.

Requirements

A Master's degree in School Counseling, Social Work, or an equivalent from an accredited institution
Massachusetts Educator Licensure as School Counselor: Grades 5-12

Nice To Haves

Experience with the use of Naviance and Powerschool student data management programs

Responsibilities

Assist all students, including students of diverse languages, backgrounds and cultures individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/ social skills, goals and plans
Accurately and appropriately interpret and utilize student data
Develop and deliver a comprehensive guidance curriculum
Collaborate with parents/ guardians, educators, and outside agencies to assist students with educational and career planning
Monitor and track transcripts and maintain school records for all students, relative to graduation requirements and Massachusetts General Law
Use available technological resources to enhance the school counseling program
Be familiar with attendance monitoring, dropout prevention and student re-engagement.
Perform in accordance with requirements as described in the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM)
Facilitate all facets of the college application process from exploration to acceptance
Assist and advise the course selection and course change processes at each grade level
Conduct grade-specific academic, college and career-related presentations for students and families
Provide teachers with information relevant to the learning needs of their students as such information becomes available
Coordinate with state agencies as needed (DCF, DMH, DDS, MRC etc)
Communicate with CBATS, partial programs, hospitals; coordinate tutoring for students out of school on caseload
Attend and participate in IEP meetings
Coordinate the 504 process for students on caseload; hold annual 504 meetings, write 504s, and monitor the implementation and compliance of the 504 plans
Complete Educational Assessments for Special Education Initial and Re-evaluations as requested by team chairperson
Assist with coordination of state testing
Monitor students who are failing or in danger of failing and meet with students to address ways to improve classroom performance
Support students with social-emotional needs, short-term counseling, and refer for long term support when appropriate
Attend IST meetings and be prepared to provide grades, MCAS results, and other social/familial and emotional background information
Review MCAS data for proper placement in classes and creation of EPPs as needed
Assist with registration of new students, create schedule and inform receiving teachers of students’ academic background
Work in conjunction with guidance administrative assistant to obtain past school records, grades, and other relevant student data for students new to Woburn Memorial High School
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principal, Assistant Principals or Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling Services