Elementary School Counselor

Memphis School of Excellence•Memphis, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the position requires it to utilize leadership, advocacy, and collaboration. School counselors must promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students. School counselors work strategically as part of an instructional team to promote student success. They are specially trained educators in a position to call attention to situations within our schools that impact student learning. Serving as leaders and advocates, school counselors work collaboratively to provide services in a proactive, developmental, and preventative manner.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree and endorsement in the grade/subject taught with a valid Tennessee certificate.
Option 1: Complete a graduate degree with an approved preparation program in school guidance and counseling.
Option 2: Hold a graduate degree in community/agency counseling and must be enrolled in an approved graduate program in school counseling and has completed at least 30 hours leading to completion of an approved graduate program in school counseling and must be supervised by a licensed school counselor for a minimum of one hour per week.
Must be highly qualified.
School counselor candidates without teaching experience will have a one semester long orientation experience in a school as an early part of the preparation program.
The orientation experience will be structured to provide observation, participation in, and analysis of classroom instruction.
Governed by the Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Code Annotated and the Tennessee Board of Education.
Must be physically and mentally able to perform the responsibilities and duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

The counselor/student ratio be determined by considering the major factor of student growth and development.
ASCA maintains that the implementation of a comprehensive school-counseling program meeting the developmental needs of students be the primary determinants with the ratio being 1:250 or less.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the Tennessee Model for Comprehensive School Counseling.
Counsel with students individually and in small groups.
Present developmental lessons in the classroom and in small groups.
Serve as a student advocate.
Consult with teachers, administrators, school support personnel, parents, and business/community agencies.
Participate in school meetings.
Work with parents in teaching effective parenting skills, creating a positive environment, and encouraging parent participation.
Provide staff development in identified areas of need and in orientation to the school counseling program.
Provide leadership in career development of all students.
Coordinate school activities pertaining to the school counseling program.
Facilitate the evaluation of the school counseling program.