The posting
Position Responsibilities
High School Counselor Role & Responsibilities
Personal
- Be a champion for a positive student life experience at SAS *
- Provide personal counseling services to a broad range of students **
- Create tiered student support groups and activities as needed
- Act as an advisor for a small group of students and by teaching our advisory social-emotional learning curriculum
- Collaborate with School Psychologists on student mental health / academic concerns
- Lead transition sessions for students and parents who are new to the school
- Be a member of the SAS crisis team and assist during critical incidents
- Participate in the development and sustainability of Advisory and Peer Support programs
- Connect with and be available to parents and students during and outside of school hours (in person and via email communication)
- Foster a sense of student belonging by cultivating joy and purpose throughout the High School.
- Model the Core Values in your interactions with all members of the school community
- Strive for continuous self-improvement as a life-long learner
- Lead and engage with students and families in meaningful activities beyond the learning spaces, which extend learning experiences for students (i.e. attend student/family events beyond the school day)
Academic
- Provide academic counseling services to a broad range of students ***
- Assist students in designing an academic program (ie., develop a class schedule, monitor progress, etc.)
- Review academic files of incoming students, determining course placement and potential learning support(s)
- Encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Collaborate with teachers on behalf of counselees for their academic needs
- Liaise with Admissions, College Counselors, Learning Support Specialists, and Administration in service of student success
- Maintain accurate records for counselees
- Attend Professional Learning Committee (PLC) meetings and counseling department events, collaborating with colleagues on presentations, communications and student SEL seminars
*Must be a champion for the student life experience at SAS.
Personal and academic counselors must be committed to the mission and vision of the school, which calls for strong pastoral care and a positive student life experience. PAC counselors must be willing to provide all students access to appropriate supports to ensure a positive SAS experience for ALL students in the high school.
**Must have a strong background working with students in a school setting, presenting with a range of executive function and mental health challenges, including but not limited to: anxiety, self-Injury, depression, suicide ideation, eating disorders, substance abuse, obsessive compulsive, esteem, organization, time management, technology-related issues, parenting difficulties (including crisis parenting issues), etc. The expectation is that a PAC counselor will be able to assess the level of severity/threat, plan short-term counseling support (6-8 sessions), and triangulate services and support with parents, teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and mental health providers within the community. While not a long-term/ therapeutic setting, the expectation is that PAC counselors would be able to provide short-term support addressing mental health issues.
***Must have high school academic counseling experience. Duties include: Assisting students in designing an academic program, including but not limited to: a class schedule, a 4-year plan, regular monitoring of academic progress, completing career and interest surveys, and collaborating with teachers and parents regarding academic progress.
Position Requirements & Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Masters in Counseling, or related field, preferred
- Experience working with a variety of students, parents and faculty in a school setting for a minimum of 3 years
- Experience working in a diverse, multicultural environment
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Ability to adapt to flexible working conditions
- Ability to provide lessons/presentations to parents, students and faculty
- Ability to work in a collaborative setting with a diverse team (i.e, school leaders, counselors, learning support, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters in School Counseling
- Experience working with high school students
- Experience with high school scheduling systems
- International school counseling experience
- Has participated in professional development for Child Protection, Crisis Intervention, and MTSS
- Experience using ISCA, ASCA, CASEL or other curriculum related SEL standards
- Strong technological skills (similar platforms to PowerSchool, CPOMs, Toddle, Maia Learning, basic Microsoft and Google experience)
- Some familiarity with the college admissions requirements and process
- Background using positive, proactive behavior interventions and support for students
Working Requirements
- Sponsoring and/or coaching after school activities or sports are part of the responsibility of the professional educator. Therefore, faculty shall be available to coach and/or sponsor an athletic team or other extra curricular activity. Each faculty member is expected to do a minimum of one category 1 activity or sport per year
- Mandatory attendance of faculty meetings beyond the school day, new hire orientation and educator professional learning days
- Chaperone and participate in a minimum of four evening and/or weekend school activities each year, as assigned
- SAS faculty members are expected to commit to chaperoning learning experiences including those requiring overseas and/or overnight excursions, including but not limited to High School Interim Semester and curricular trips.
