Summary:
The Licensed School Counselor/Psychologist is responsible for collaborating with the Elevate Team made up of the Elevate Director and Lower School Learning Specialist to lead and provide a comprehensive school counseling program. The Licensed School Counselor/Psychologist is committed to promoting student success, providing preventative services, and building relationships with students, faculty, parents and the greater community, in order to support the overall social and emotional health and well-being of students. A commitment to understanding, growth and support in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion is critical in effectively fulfilling this essential role in the school community. Skillful communication skills are essential in this position and involve timely contact of students, parents, faculty, and administration, as situations dictate, as well as a keen capacity to handle difficult conversations and maintain a high standard of confidentiality. This is a full-time (10 month) exempt position.
Essential Functions:
· Take the lead and guide the school in the development, organization, and implementation of an MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) model and framework for both academic and behavioral needs.
· Provide training, professional development, consultation, and support to administrators and teachers to facilitate implementation of MTSS.
· Consult with teachers, parents, administrators, and students regarding learning, social, emotional, and behavior challenges.
· Coach teachers on how to support students in the classroom who have challenges with learning, attention, and behavior.
· Work with a wide range of student social, emotional, and academic issues, and meet with students individually or in small/large groups to address these concerns.
· Will teach two Impact classes three days per week for executive functioning, self-advocacy, time management, self-awareness and goal setting.
· Position may complete full or partial evaluations related to academic, behavioral, and/or social-emotional needs (if qualified to do so), in addition to assessing and identifying MS students in need of outside referrals for educational and/or psychological testing.
· Review, interpret and summarize students’ psychoeducational evaluations and write accommodation plans for those students’ learning needs.
· Organize annual accommodation plan meetings with parents and work with teachers to ensure accommodations are implemented in the classrooms.
· Manage MS student caseload and provide students and/or families with referrals to outside professional support services when needed, maintaining an appropriate exchange of communication between the school, the student’s parents and the outside professional working with the student.
· Provide parents with referrals for academic support, social emotional support, and for psychoeducational evaluations when needed.
· Respond to crisis situations on an as-needed basis for the Aspen Academy community; ie - threat assessments and appropriate case management.
· Provide professional development for parents and teachers.
· Remain current in clinical knowledge and practice through individualized professional development and continuing education.
Program Development
· Along with the Elevate Director and Learning Specialist, lead and guide the school in the development, organization, and implementation of an ancillary support department with a model and framework for remediating academic needs.
· Determine mutually beneficial partnerships for the school for support of student needs as well as the financial sustainability of the program.
· Develop options for program expansion to include (but may not be limited to) a tutoring center, support classes before and after school, contract work with outside professionals, psychoeducational testing, etc.
Qualifications:
· Clear knowledge and deep understanding of the application of MTSS
· Ability to conduct professional development in all aspects related to MTSS, including philosophy, problem-solving methodology, universal screening, progress monitoring, decision making, and intervention methods at all tiers for both academic and behavioral needs
· 3-5+ years demonstrated experience in the principles and practices of leadership
· Demonstrated theoretical foundation in the principles and practices of leadership
· Possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
· Strong organizational skills
· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
· Willingness to work and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, administration, teachers, parents, and students
· Professional development/In-service development and facilitator experience
· Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of school
· Model the school’s Core Values with colleagues, students, parents, and larger community
· Reinforce the school’s core values, guiding philosophy, rules, and school spirit consistently throughout the school environment and support and hold accountable colleagues in doing the same.