Teacher - Restorative Practices School Based Counselor, Gr. K-6 (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools•Boston, MA

13h

About The Position

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: The Office of Social Emotional Learning and Wellness (SELWell) is comprised of the following departments: Athletics (ATH), Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Guidance Counseling, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Student Health Services (SHS), Opportunity Youth (OY), Restorative Practices (RJ), Succeed Boston, and Health & Wellness Department (HWD). The mission of SELWell is to build the capacity of schools, while eliminating inequities, to improve the social, emotional, and physical skills and knowledge of all students to support their healthy development, readiness to learn and preparedness for life. To meet this mission, SELWell works across departments to provide an array of multi-tiered supports and services grounded in prevention, intervention, intensive intervention, and crisis/ trauma response to Boston Public Schools (BPS) including: professional development, tiered instructional coaching, assessment & data management, program evaluation support, resource development and selection, and crisis responses. Additional activities the SELWell department is responsible for include technical assistance/ implementation, marketing & communications, family engagement, and community partnership brokering & development. POSITION SUMMARY AND GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direction of the Executive Director of SEL Instruction & Support Services and the building administrator at the assigned school, the Restorative Practices School Based Coordinator will work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, community partners, parents and youth around efforts to introduce and/ or expand the use of restorative practices within the school community. In collaboration with the BPS District-wide Restorative Practices Coach, the Restorative Practices Coordinator is responsible for the delivery of restorative practices, training and coaching services designed to improve the outcomes of children, youth, and families in a school. The Coordinator will implement restorative practices and strategies to support a whole school approach at their assigned school site.

Requirements

A valid DESE School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor license at the appropriate grade level
Deep commitment to young people principles of restorative practices
Thorough understanding of adolescent Social Emotional Learning and Wellness
Facilitation and curriculum development experience
Ability to design and implement tasks in collaboration with supervisors and stakeholders
Effective organizational, oral and written communication, and planning skills
Superior interpersonal skills including but not limited to the ability to express disagreement tactfully, sensitively and with cultural insight
Growth mindset orientation
Skilled in the use of technology to support effective communications, presentation design and delivery, and data management (i.e Microsoft Office and Google products)
Training in RJ Practices and circle processes

Nice To Haves

Bachelors of Arts or Sciences in related area: Education, Social Work, Guidance/Counseling, Psychology, etc
Experience working as an Instructional Coach
3-5 years experience working in urban districts
Experience incorporating restorative practices work within schools, organizations and/or the juvenile justice system
Knowledge of adult learning theory and social & emotional learning competencies
Skilled in facilitating restorative practices
Existing relationships within BPS and the Boston Teachers Union (BTU)

Responsibilities

Provide professional development (trainings, presentations, meetings) on restorative practices that motivates school staff, parents, youth and community partners to implement a whole school approach.
Partner with various stakeholders to support implementation of restorative practices
Facilitate/ co-facilitate classroom circles, restorative conferences and mediations.
Actively participate in grade teams, SST, school based PDs, staff meetings and coaching sessions, as appropriate.
Align with district structures to evaluate the effectiveness of school based professional development offerings and use data obtained to support continuous improvement.
Build and maintain relationships with school staff, students, families and community partners dedicated to the creation of a vibrant school climate and culture.
Assess pre-existing restorative practices, supports and materials that the school is currently implementing to ensure fidelity and a unified approach.
Assist in implementing restorative tools and systems that build meaningful relationships, support positive student behavior and peacefully resolve conflict.
Work with the District Wide Restorative Practices Coach to: Develop a yearly implementation plan and chart progress towards goals and outcomes.
Maintain accurate meeting notes.
Appropriately update supervisor and collaborators on the work.
Analyze data and identify areas of need (i.e. gaps in services to marginalized sub-groups) to inform training and successful implementation of restorative practices.
Collect and track whole school and individual student data.
Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor