Secondary Counselor (2026-2027)

About the Organization

Crossroads Charter Schools develops school environments where all students are actively and meaningfully engaged in rigorous instruction and authentic learning tasks. We work to interrupt the “school to prison pipeline” by addressing policies and practices that push at-risk students out of school. We engage families as partners, nurture an open and collaborative environment, and provide ongoing job-embedded professional development through co-teaching and co-planning.

About the Role

The Secondary Counselor provides a comprehensive counseling program for all students and consults with teachers, parents, and staff to enhance their effectiveness in helping students grow socially, emotionally, personally, and educationally. Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the counselor promotes student success, preventive services, and responds to identified student needs by implementing a program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students.

The counselor collaborates with staff to co-plan, co-deliver, and individualize instruction, accommodate special needs, and overcome instructional challenges. This role requires a hardworking, goal-oriented professional with excellent subject knowledge and a sound understanding of the Missouri Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards.

Responsibilities

• Implement a school guidance curriculum based on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidance.
• Counsel individuals and groups of students through the development of educational, personal, social, and career plans and goals.
• Consult with and train teachers, parents, and staff regarding children’s needs in trauma, behavior, social, and emotional development.
• Refer children with needs and their parents to special programs, specialists, and other outside agencies.
• Participate in and coordinate activities that contribute to the effective operation of the counseling program.
• Conduct whole-class counseling sessions on topics including friendship, bullying, self-esteem, and good touch/bad touch.
• Help create and sustain a positive learning environment for all students.
• Assist in creating and implementing behavior plans for identified students.
• Provide outlets and avenues for students to communicate with staff, serving as a liaison to empower students and build healthy relationships.
• Establish and set goals while tracking gains in student performance.
• Participate in meetings, training, and professional development.
• Lead building professional development sessions on social-emotional and counseling-related topics.
• Oversee student 504 plans and accommodations.
• Partner with organizations and teams for overall social-emotional and counseling-related topics.
• Collaborate with the District Social Emotional Learning Coordinator (SEL) team to create and implement streamlined student supports.
• Serve as the building's McKinney Vento contact.
• Coordinate family supports via the Impact Mo model.
• Oversee the food pantry for the assigned building.
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as meeting deadlines and honoring schedules.
• Act in a professional and ethical manner at all times and comply with school policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor.

Requirements

• Missouri Certification: Counselor K-12.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred; Licensed Professional Counselor.
• Minimum five years of elementary school counseling experience preferred.
• Strong familiarity with education and child welfare policies and best practices.
• Desire to continue professional development.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and activities.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to keep multiple stakeholder groups informed of critical issues, activities, and schedules.
• Enthusiasm for promoting the school and its mission to a broad and diverse group of people.
• Excellent work ethic, positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to perform assigned tasks.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and teachers.
• Must pass an extensive background check.

Pay

Expected salary is based on the 10-month Compensation plan. Candidates will be asked to indicate their expected salary as part of the application process.