Middle School Guidance Counselor

POSITION: School Guidance Counselor (Middle School, 5-8 setting)
REPORTS TO: School Principal
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt/10 month + 10 Summer Days

Mission: Educating and inspiring a diverse community of K-12 learners by engaging them in rigorous real-world learning experiences which prioritize intellectual, social and emotional growth.

Vision: Tapestry is a vibrant, sustainable school that empowers learners and leaders to make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.

Values: Perseverance, Integrity, Respect & Responsibility



POSITION SUMMARY:

Primary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today's diverse student population. In addition to working closely with students, school counselors collaborate with administration, teachers, parents and outside resources to meet the personal, social and academic needs of students. Professional school counselors meet these needs through various activities such as classroom guidance lessons, group and individual counseling, and individual student planning.

Tier 1 - School/District Counseling Curriculum

• The school counselor implements the school counseling program and develops activities and resources to enhance and evaluate the program
• Requires knowledge and implementation of NYS Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Benchmarks
• Providing learning and experiential opportunities for students to acquire behavior and skills for career readiness in a 5-8 setting
• Working with students to identify their strengths, interests, abilities and specific career clusters
• Providing direct education to students on physical, sexual and emotional health related curriculum
• Academic skills support
• Organizational, study and test-taking skills
• Education in understanding self and others
• Coping strategies related to academics and social-emotional growth
• Peer relationships and effective social skills in an academic setting
• Communication, problem-solving and decision-making
• Career awareness, exploration and planning
• Multicultural/diversity awareness
• Recognizing and supporting essential developmental factors key to future successes, such as self-efficacy and identity, motivation and perseverance

Individual Student Planning

• Goal-setting/decision-making:
• The school counselor accurately interprets test results and other student data. The counselor also assists teachers with the educational placement of students by using appropriate educational assessment strategies in collaboration with the district Office of Special Education
• Academic planning
• Develop, review, and revise a career and educational plan for each student
• Monitor and advise students and parents as to progress toward promotion and graduation
• Transition planning to prepare students for transition to next level (middle to high school, high school to post high school)
• Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses

Tier 2 - Responsive Services

• IEP and 504 counseling
• Knowledge of Restorative Practices, particularly with respect to conflict resolution techniques
• Individual and small group counseling:
• The school counselor provides individual and group counseling services to meet the developmental, preventive, and remedial needs of students
• The school counselor consults with students, parents, teachers, and other school and community personnel to assist in meeting the academic and social/emotional needs of students, and documents consultations and interventions.
• Work with students, families, teachers, and student support staff to make referrals to community agencies:
• Make appropriate referrals of students and parents to outside agencies and specialists when necessary and with the support/assistance of the student support team

Tier 3 - Crisis Intervention & Response

• Assist with identification of students and families in need of crisis counseling
• Assist with management of direct communication to parents and families regarding delivery of crisis services
• Assist with SEL related lessons/curriculum on crisis topic (grief, gun violence, national & local tragedies, etc.)

• When crisis events precipitate at a micro, mezzo or macro level, implement and continually evaluate the Tapestry district crisis intervention plan appropriate to the level of care necessary;

System Support & Other Duties

• Professional Practices and Development:
• The school counselor adheres to ethical standards of the counseling profession, and abides by the laws, policies, and procedures that govern the schools. The counselor also participates in professional associations and upgrades professional knowledge and skills when needed.
• Consultation, collaboration, and teaming:
• The school counselor coordinates all counseling services for students and assists with the coordination and implementation of student services in the school.
• Cooperate and collaborate with other professionals in enhancing the education of students.
• Communicate with administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students as to the role of the school counselor in the overall educational process
• Program management and operation:
• Make self-visible in school by participating in a variety of activities that contribute to the schools effectiveness
• Participate in school decision making teams and in activities which contribute to the effectiveness of the school
• Comply with the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the NYS Education Law 100.2 (j) & Part 80
• Participates in district level and school based professional learning activities for continued professional growth;

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree (Ed.M.) in School Counseling
• At least two years experience with experience in urban setting preferred
• Previous experience with school information systems, powerschool preferred
• Commitment to and knowledge of small school reform practices
• Commitment to working with a diverse urban student population

Tapestry is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please make sure to complete an application by clicking here for this job posting.

Job Attachment : View Attachment

Itinerant Location : 65 Great Arrow Ave, Buffalo NY 14216

Salary Competitive : Y

Position Status : Full time

Contact Person's Name : Lauren Pratt

Contact Person's Title : Director of People Operations

Contact Person's Email : prattl@tapestryschool.org