High School Counselor - Tennessee Connections Academy

Position Summary and Responsibilities

• Advises students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation.
• Keeps abreast of all high school graduation requirements and communicates this information to the High School Coordinator and principal.
• Aids students and parents with secondary school course selection according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests.
• Assists students and parents in developing a Four Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements.
• Advises students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, seeking support as needed, while ensuring adherence to school policies.
• Reviews student transcripts and enters credits into the online transcript system.
• Fulfills responsibilities to ensure accurate and up-to-date Connections Academy transcripts.
• Works with administrative assistants to obtain and forward student records from previous schools.
• Implements programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues.
• Collaborates with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources.
• Serves as a key member of the Student Support Team (SST) and coordinates a team of teachers to help identify at-risk or in-crisis students.
• Communicates regularly with identified students and families, overseeing and maintaining the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student.
• Assists in securing complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students.
• Supports families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal.
• Reports and refers critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as required by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards.
• Stays informed about state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation.
• Aids teachers in integrating new students into their coursework, handling previous grades, credits, and evaluations appropriately.
• Ensures curriculum offerings meet state requirements and implements special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT preparation, and college entrance preparation.
• Assists with the administration of high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
• Helps students research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options.
• Aids in student preparation of applications for college and jobs.
• Educates students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid.
• Coordinates high school graduation ceremonies.
• Supports professional development activities for teachers and school staff members.
• Assumes teaching and grading duties as necessary, including teaching middle school elective courses.

Requirements

• Tennessee School Counselor certification
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Highly organized and punctual
• Customer-focused approach
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
• Ability to work remotely