Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor - Middle School (2508)

The Natick Public Schools Seeks

LTS Maternity Leave Middle School Counselor, Kennedy Middle School

Approximate Dates: 9/23/2024-12/20/2024

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools.

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Job Title

LTS Middle School Guidance Counselor

Location

Kennedy Middle School

Reports To

Principal

Work days/FTE

183 days/1.0 FTE

Salary/Benefits

Salary and benefits per contract non-rep schedule

Benefits Eligible?

Yes

Profile of a Natick Educator

JOB GOAL:

The Guidance Counselor will respond to the personal, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students, as well as provide assistance and encouragement to students as they develop post-secondary plans and will use culturally proficient practices to support and advocate for students and their families. The Guidance Counselor will provide direct service through individual meetings and classroom seminars as well as indirect support through collaboration and consultation with colleagues across disciplines including administration, teachers and student support service providers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• MA Degree in School Counseling

Professional Certification:

• MA DESE Certification and Licensure as a School Counselor 5-12, or pending certification

Specialized Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of adolescent development

• Demonstrated commitment to ensuring academic success for all students

• Thorough understanding of a broad range of counseling techniques needed to support diverse student needs

• Knowledge of best practices for social-emotional learning

• Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student, staff and community engagement and cultivation

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and PowerSchool preferred, but will train the right candidate

Skills:

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed

• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are desirable but not required

• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues

• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative

• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth

• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Phone, intercom, personal computer and software applications as outlined above, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers and fax machine.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (not limited to)

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Works with district and school leadership to combat systemic barriers that limit student, family, and staff members' equitable access to opportunity

• Identifies and addresses bias and its impact on rigor and opportunity for students and staff

• Updates policies and equitable access procedures

• Provide post secondary planning, including support with the college application process and assisting students with alternative post graduation goals

• Maintain active participation in IEP meetings and lead annual 504 meetings

• Ensure use of effective communication to build connections with students and parents/guardians while addressing student needs and refer them to the appropriate school and community resources as needed

• Administer developmental guidance seminars based on the ASCA School Counseling Model for each grade level, including the use of Naviance as a resource

• Guide each student to create a personalized course schedule based on their educational, vocational, and personal goals while using PowerSchool to create and manage student schedules

• Write recommendation letters including but not limited to those needed for college, private schools and scholarships

• Participate in the organization and administration of required student testing (MCAS, AP Exams, etc.)

• Monitor at-risk students and those in danger of not promoting/graduating while collaborating with the NHS team to develop appropriate interventions

• Engage in creative problem solving while working collaboratively with teachers, administrators and other staff as well as facilitate case management for students involved with outside agencies

Any other relative duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations;
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time;
• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., computer printer/copier, assistive technology, etc.);
• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;
• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• observe details at close range
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

• Formal application

• Rating of education and experience

• Oral interviews

• Reference check

• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required

• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.

Date Updated: 9/8/2023