Anticipated Grades 2-3 School Counselor - Upper Moreland Elementary Center

About the Role

The School Counselor provides leadership in the school through the implementation of a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program aligned with the district and school's mission to promote academic, social/emotional, and college/career development, while ensuring equity and access for all students. Work is performed under the supervision of the principal and/or assistant principal at the Upper Moreland Elementary Center (K-5).

Responsibilities

• Creates an environment that is attractive, safe, supportive, and conducive to learning, appropriate to the maturity, interest, and abilities of students.
• Develops and maintains materials in good condition and accessible to students, including educational bulletin boards, web pages, parent/student newsletters, and other communication vehicles.
• Assists students in evaluating aptitudes and abilities through interpretation of standardized test scores and other data, helping students develop education and occupation plans.
• Supports State, Advanced Placement, and/or SAT/PSAT Assessments.
• Teaches classroom guidance lessons and conducts social skill group meetings using a district-approved curriculum.
• Supports Career, Education, and Workforce (CEW) Standards across grade levels.
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of established District curriculum goals and communicates clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
• Prepares for groups and lessons, showing written evidence of preparation upon request.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials, employing a variety of techniques and strategies to meet different student needs, including technology and whole-group/small-group learning.
• Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences to maximize instructional time.
• Designs activities to engage students in cognitively challenging work aligned to standards.
• Manages learning time to maximize student achievement and uses resources to promote high levels of learning and engagement.
• Reflects on practice and student work to improve instruction.
• Assesses students' academic and social growth regularly, maintains records, prepares progress reports, and communicates with parents as needed.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by District Policy, Administrative Policy, and Pennsylvania law.
• Monitors student learning and provides age-appropriate feedback on progress toward learning objectives.
• Seeks support from district specialists when concerns about student progress arise.
• Cooperates with staff to assess and develop strategies for students with health, attitude, or learning challenges.
• Follows the District multi-tiered system of supports and develops strategies for individual education plans.
• Serves as an active member of the CSAP teams and as case manager for students with 504 plans.
• Meets with individual students as needed and coordinates with administrators and staff to ascertain student abilities and needs.
• Provides clear behavior expectations and monitors student behavior throughout the school.
• Serves as a resource to students to promote personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Acquires professional knowledge through seminars, workshops, meetings, research, and professional relationships.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping.
• Communicates regularly with parents/guardians to discuss student progress and school programs.
• Attends IEP, Section 504, and other related meetings for student assessment and compliance.
• Attends district department and faculty meetings, and serves on committees as required.
• Participates in school-sponsored activities such as back-to-school night, open house, and other events.
• Actively participates in building or district educational experiences (e.g., science fairs, math competitions, arts programs).
• Participates in curriculum-related and programmatic activities, including field trips or overnight camping trips.
• Engages in in-services, staff development, and staff meetings as required.
• Assists in the orientation of new teachers and provides in-service training in guidance.
• Follows all safety procedures and ensures the environment is accessible to all students.
• Implements IEPs, complies with legal documents, and ensures individual student needs are met.
• Maintains an ongoing program of professional growth that satisfies District and personal expectations.
• Provides information and recommendations for student placement, course selection, awards, scholarships, and other academic or extracurricular endeavors.
• Establishes partnerships with the community to support the academic program.
• Demonstrates professionalism and adheres to the Professional Code of Conduct.
• Performs duties under state, federal, and grant requirements.
• Follows established policies for reporting incidents (e.g., child abuse, substance abuse, harassment, violence).
• Additional duties as assigned by the Building Principal and/or Administration.
• For counselors assigned to the Intermediate School:
  • Serves as School Assessment Coordinator for PSSA.
  • Plans and leads academic, social, and behavioral student celebrations.
  • Supports the development and implementation of the PBIS program.
  • Completes SAIP documents with families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in education or related discipline; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Valid PA Certification in School Counseling K-12 required.
• Valid PA licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to report to work regularly and punctually.
• Knowledge and implementation of relevant technology.
• Meets professional teacher education requirements of the school, District, and state.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate computers and office equipment, and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must successfully complete and maintain compliance with federal and state background and criminal record check requirements.
• Must adhere to all local, state, federal, and school code requirements for employment.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Schedule

Full Time, 7.5 hours/day, 10 months.