Counselor (Elementary)

Mission

The counselor's role is to support and develop student's academic, social and emotional readiness for learning. The Counselor provides support and resources for families in order to increase the success of students; collaborates and partners with students, teachers, principal, parents, community members, and partners to help identify social and emotional needs and helps design and support prevention and intervention activities and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates, facilitates, and implements social and emotional curriculum, parent education opportunities, and skills training.
• Supports team members by providing support for implementation of strategies within classrooms.
• Provides support in a variety of settings to including the classroom in small group settings, and in individual settings with students.
• Participates in the school's social and emotional development program and curriculum.
• Participates in the district wide Behavior Support System.
• Participates in programs and strategies to reduce truancy.
• Participates in family engagement and parent education activities and strategies.
• Participates in professional learning communities.
• Supports and builds a strong positive school culture and learning environment.
• Coordinates Student Support Team Services.
• Effectively plans and engages students in district social and emotional and safety curriculum classrooms.
• Supports school leadership in providing emotional support for students as needed.
• Effectively supports students by providing counseling on an individual and/or group basis to increase student/school readiness, resolve personal problems related to home, school and family relations, emotional adjustment, grief and health-related matters that interfere with their optimal performance as learners.
• Collaborates with specialists in providing specific, targeted, skills training to increase student's school readiness.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and support team members in increasing knowledge and understanding to increase support for students.
• Effectively collaborate with all stakeholders to include community agencies and partners, to reduce or eliminate barriers to student learning.
• Reviews student records as needed and protects their confidentiality.
• Aids in the welcome of new students and families.
• Aids in transition activities to the next grade.
• Maintains appropriate licensure and training hours as required.
• Complies with applicable District, state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Complies, maintains, and files all reports, records, and other required documents as required by the district and Guidance and Counseling Department.
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Develops and facilitates college, career and military activities for students, and parents (career day).
• Collaborates with feeder High School Counselors to complete Personal Graduation Plans and schedules through ASCENDER, in accordance with TEA requirements.
• Supports Determined Destiny Values with students and parents.

Special Knowledge And Skills

• Ability to use professional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Knowledge of available and appropriate community agencies and resources.
• Management style compatible with the position.
• Ability to interact successfully with students, parents, staff and community.
• Ability to build a college-going culture based on early college awareness by nurturing in students the confidence to aspire to college and the resilience to overcome challenges along the way.
• Ability to support vertical alignment for college & careers within elementary, middle and high school.

Professional Growth And Development

• Participates in staff development activities to improve job related skills.
• Attends and participates in faculty meetings and serves on committees as required.
• Demonstrates professionalism, including a commitment to professional development.
• Promotes and follows ethical standards for school counselors.

Charter & Community Responsibilities

• Conveys the charter's mission to the public and encourages support in accomplishing the mission.
• Illustrates understanding of Charter and community needs and begins activities to meet those needs.
• Demonstrates use of productive and efficient skills to raise community and parent involvement.
• Actively participates in student recruitment efforts.

Equipment Used

• Office equipment - personal computer, projector, printer, calculator, multi-line telephone, smartboard.
• Communication equipment - Radio communication equipment, cellular telephone.
• Video monitoring equipment.