Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School (SLA) was founded to address the need for community access to exceptional, leadership-based education in the heart of Southwest Philadelphia. Currently, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School supports over 600 students in grades K-8 in single-sex classrooms, leveraging research from the world-renowned Gurian Institute around socio-emotional learning and differentiation between the sexes, fueling growth, leadership and engagement for all students. Classrooms in grades K-2 are supported by two educators from the SLA team – a lead teacher and apprentice teacher or assistant - translating to more 1:1 student/teacher instructional time as well as increased opportunities for differentiated instruction for students.
The School Counselor will provide students with all necessary counseling services to ensure that they are successful academically and personally. The counselor is expected to proactively and reactively work with students, teachers, and families to provide them with strategies and support. The qualified applicant is positive, caring, and results-oriented. They are deeply committed to the success of all SLA students and specifically to raising the academic achievement of children in high-poverty communities and/or children with special needs. They are passionate about working with young children, particularly those who may require additional support to meet their unique educational and emotional needs. The qualified applicant will set an example as a continuous, open-minded learner, devoted to evidence-based practices that promote student achievement and well-being. They will build trusting relationships with and support faculty, staff, students, and parents.
Serves on the MTSS* Team
Advises and counsels students regarding academic and short-term social and emotional concerns.
Provides individual student planning and responsive services to support students and their families regarding academic matters.
Assists students/parents in understanding school policies and procedures.
Creates a unique program for achievement based on student’s identified individual needs.
Creates and maintains 504 plans (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aL8Vpuntm4) as appropriate for students on assigned caseload
Provides brief counseling to address social and emotional concerns and appropriately refers students to behavioral health specialists.
Provide individual, group and crisis counseling sessions for identified students
Review agency services with families for outside supports that are available
Consults, facilitates, and maintains communication with parents, teachers, administrators, and community behavioral health providers on specific student academic and educational matters including academic modifications and/or accommodations.
Seek out opportunities to improve the Southwest Leadership Academy counseling program as well as own skills and knowledge of school counseling
2. Lesson Delivery
Facilitate lessons about topics that align with our Leadership curriculum
Facilitate College and Career Readiness lessons and Activities aligned to PA Standards.
Teaches classes and provides counseling to students through planned activities in small group or classroom settings to convey educational, social, and important school information.
Align Programming to PA Career Readiness Framework (https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/PACareerStandards/Pages/default.aspx)
3. Collaboration Across Teams & Community
Serve as a member of the Crisis Team
Work with the school counseling team to plan and evaluate the counseling program on a continuous basis
Lead Students Success Team meetings to develop a plan to support students who are demonstrating new academic or behavioral challenges. Provides feedback and recommends appropriate action and solutions to individual student's academic/SEL needs.
Serve as a member of the IEP Team for K-2 students
Maintain communication between the school and outside service providers for K-2 students.
Monitor student’s grades and attendance as an indicator of student support needs. Convene Student Support Team meetings as appropriate.
Lead the Truancy Elimination Plan process for K-2 students. Ensure timely correspondence and reporting in alignment with the school’s Attendance/Truancy policy.
Facilitate Professional Development Sessions for Staff on topics realted to the School Counseling Program.
Collaborate with the Parent Community Coordinator to offer workshops/seminars for parents.
MTSS is an intervention process that will support students in all areas that may need improvement. Students who have behavioral or academic challenges are identified by teachers or through benchmark testing/assessment. The MTSS coordinator works with the teacher to prescribe specific strategies to support the students. Student’s progress in monitored to determine which MTSS tier they will be placed into.
COUNSELING - School counseling is a proactive program where the counselor meets consistently with the students to provide them with strategies and techniques for success. Students are referred to the counseling program through families and teachers. They are then placed on a session schedule; once a week for 45 minutes, individually or with a group. The topics discussed in counseling sessions are aligned with the school’s Leadership Competencies or identified student needs.
Community Based Services - Our school has a partnership with related services that we offer to the family for additional support for our students, this information is presented and explained at our family meetings.
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
Pennsylvania certification in School Counseling
Must be able to obtain or currently have all background clearances (Federal, PA State, & Child Abuse)
Minimum of 2 years of school counseling experience
Must be willing to work on site in Southwest Philadelphia
Strong technology skills
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Customer focused approach
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
Reports To: Principal
SALARY, BENEFITS, AND EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Salary Range
Competitive salary based on education and experience.
Benefits
Medical, Dental and Vision Plan
Flexible Spending Account
403B Matching Plan
Employment Period
Ten (10) Months, non-tenureable position
SOUTHWEST LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
