26-27SY Teacher-Secondary School Counselor -George Washington HS

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,405 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve.

About the Role

Advises students at an assigned secondary or middle school. Provides counseling services that foster the academic, personal, social, and career development of all students. Provides individual and group counseling and guidance, and implements broad-based programs addressing decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and other issues. Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues impacting students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and as the school-based resource for dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis prevention/intervention. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families.

Responsibilities

• Provides general school counseling and guidance programs and services, including individual and group counseling and guidance.
• Implements broad-based programs dealing with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and other issues.
• Plans and provides classroom guidance focusing on post-high school planning, career exploration, family and/or peer relationships, and decision-making.
• Provides formal and informal counseling services to students and their parents concerning issues affecting academic achievement and/or social, emotional, or personal development.
• Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues affecting students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential.
• Serves as the school-based resource for dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis prevention/intervention.
• Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, and other staff in planning and implementing a comprehensive educational program for students.
• Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing follow-up services to students and their parents.
• Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as student substance abuse, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy, and homelessness.
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for secondary and/or middle school students.
• Prepares and maintains student-counseling records; prepares reports on students, correspondence, and statistical summaries.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.

Bilingual Specialty

• Provides students and families with general school and guidance programs and services in a specified world language as well as English.
• Creates an environment in which students have access to bilingual counseling/guidance materials that address their needs and interests.
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in bilingual school counseling and guidance.

Middle College Specialty

• Serves as a liaison between the college and school to develop and plan college visits and facilitate postsecondary achievement.
• Monitors students to ensure they are on track to attend college during their junior and senior year.
• Works with teachers to ensure that students receive the necessary interventions and supports for academic achievement.

Sign Language Specialty

• Provides students and families with general school and guidance programs and services in American Sign Language and Signed English as well as English.
• Creates an environment in which deaf/hearing-impaired students have access to specialized counseling/guidance materials that address their needs and interests.
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for the deaf and hearing impaired.

GEAR UP 3 Specialty

• Provides academic, college, and career counseling services to GEAR UP students.
• Provides career and college entrance information and assistance to students, teachers, parents, and counselors in small groups and one-to-one.
• Collaborates with school counselors to schedule college visits, college representative visits, career-related speakers, workshops, etc.
• Plans, organizes, develops, and implements career events and publications; prepares letters, flyers, mailers, and other materials to publicize GEAR UP counseling services, resources, and speakers.
• Counsels cohort students regarding state and district tests and in preparing for college entrance exams.
• Provides financial aid counseling and FAFSA completion support.
• Provides support for students involved in mentoring, job shadowing, and internship programs.
• Participates in the development of the annual action plan.
• Submits all matching funds documents regarding career and counseling activities to the program manager.
• Enters college and career program and student data weekly.
• Maintains appropriate, accurate, and complete records.
• Provides monthly program updates to the program manager.
• Shares GEAR UP information with other GEAR UP school counselors.
• Participates in on-site visits, all GEAR UP training and professional development, regional monthly GEAR UP staff meetings, and school district monthly meetings.
• Attends the GEAR UP Capacity Building and Annual Conferences.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university.

Certificates/Licenses

• Regular, Sign Language, and GEAR UP 3 Specialty: Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969) OR possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK - 12) certificate.
• Bilingual Specialty: Presentation of an original, signed letter from the Certification Officer of an accredited college or university verifying current enrollment in an approved School Counselor certification program.

Skills

All Specialties

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • the principles, practices, and theories of individual/group counseling.
  • the principles, practices, and theories of developmental/educational guidance.
  • current techniques and trends in counseling and guidance at the secondary/middle school level.
  • theories and principles of adolescent development, individual/group behavior, group dynamics, and interpersonal interactions.
  • communication skills and techniques.
  • current health, economic, and social problems experienced by urban families.
  • functions and resources of community/governmental agencies that provide support services for students and their families.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • provide counseling and guidance on an individual/group basis and to conduct group support/guidance sessions.
  • employ tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes.
  • work effectively with students and their families and aid them in the constructive use of their capacities to address their specific problems.
  • identify the signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide.
  • understand and interpret standardized test scores, marking guidelines, and promotional policies.
  • participate in crisis intervention.
  • communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • prepare and maintain student-counseling records, reports, correspondence, and statistical summaries.
  • establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bilingual Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of both English and the specified world language, including history and culture.
• Demonstrated ability to fluently speak, read, and write both English and the specified world language.

Sign Language Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • the social and emotional issues related to deafness/hearing impairment.
  • diagnostic and assessment instruments commonly used for assessing deaf/hearing-impaired students.
  • the history and culture of the deaf/hearing-impaired community.
• Demonstrated ability to demonstrate proficiency in the use and understanding of Signed English and American Sign Language.

Primary Location: Washington, George High School (8030)

Union Affiliation: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)