Professional School Counselor Middle School

Job Overview
The Professional School Counselor Middle School will facilitate the achievement of all students by developing and implementing a Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program. Provide counseling services to assist students in maximizing their educational experiences by helping them adapt to the school environment, make educational, occupational and life plans, and overcome problems that impede learning.Plan, schedule, organize, and deliver counseling activities consistent with student academic, career, and personal needs. Demonstrate integrity and ethics

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Guidance Curriculum

• Provide classroom guidance lessons for all grade levels as determined by district expectations and campus needs in alignment with the Texas Education Code (TEC), The Texas Developmental Guidance Model, and The American School Counseling Association (ASCA); maintain a monthly calendar of guidance activities to be made available to campus staff
• Develop and implement college and career readiness activities for all students throughout the year including implementation of SchooLinks scope and sequence and Career Days/Fairs

Responsive Services

• In collaboration with teachers, develop behavioral interventions to be delivered in the classroom; implement behavioral interventions individually or in small groups as needed
• Counsel students individually or in groups regarding presenting concerns, respond to students who are in crisis, assist students with transitions (8th to 9th, returning from DAEP/JJAEP etc.), inform supervisors of student threats to themselves and/or other students, and participate in campus and district crisis intervention response teams
• Consult through conferences, phone calls, and individual meetings with various stakeholders including teachers, parents, administrators, school psychologists, diagnosticians, nurses, and other professionals, and identify and disseminate information about appropriate community resources
• Initiate and/or assist other campus staff in making referrals to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) and respond to requests for additional information from TDFPS

Individual Planning

• Counsel students individually regarding problem-solving, study skills, building positive relationships, decision-making skills, academic growth and responsibility, communication skills, and appropriate social behavior, as well as assist students in career exploration and development, and the process leading to appropriate post-secondary educational placement, available scholarships and financial aid, and other resources
• Provide consultation services as needed regarding student needs by participating in various campus team meetings (i.e., instructional support teams, 504, ARDs, Gifted and Talented)
• Assist with the testing and identification of students referred for the Gifted and Talented program, and in the interpretation of standardized test data and cumulative records to develop realistic goals for students, and assist in developing Accelerated Instructional Plans (AIPs) and Personal Graduation Plans (PGPs)
• Guide students in the selection of courses (all levels), endorsements, completion of 4-year high school plans (secondary) and timely credit recovery options as needed (secondary)

System Support

• Maintain accurate records of progress toward graduation which may include interpreting/evaluating records from out-of-state and out-of-country schools, assist with transfer of student records and provide transition services for students and their parents, and develop and maintain student logs and collect relevant student data to support the developmental guidance program
• Provide direction, consultation, and training services for teachers, parents, and other relevant staff related to classroom/student management, social/emotional development of children, effective teacher-parent communication, and college and career readiness
• Contribute to district and campus leadership teams as appropriate, counseling webpage on the campus website, and support campus programs and special events,
• Research district policy, precedent, and current practices prior to taking action and stay up-to-date professionally through the selection of quality staff development opportunities for personal and professional growth including mandatory district-provided training

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None