School Counselors Primary K-3

School Counselors Grades K-3 District Wide

Certification: Illinois Professional Educator License with appropriate endorsement in counseling and/or social work. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Vision: The Counselor applies specialized knowledge of human sociology and psychology to provide programs, interventions and a school culture that support student academic and emotional success. Staff and students embody the developmental, comprehensive social/emotional program in which students learn to make decisions, set goals, and prepare for life in future schooling and work. The Counselor gathers and interprets social/emotional data related to program management. The Counselor also offers responsive services to address students' immediate social/emotional concerns.

Job Goals:

• System Support: The Social/Emotional programs of the school and district function effectively. Stakeholders within the school and its community understand the purposes, goals and principles of the social/emotional program. Students and staff commit to and embody a culture of achieving high expectations within a community characterized by mutual respect and support. The counselor, principal, teachers, and staff possess the knowledge and dispositions to provide an emotionally healthful learning experience for students.
• Social/Emotional Curriculum: Through the Social/Emotional Curriculum students develop self-awareness, inter-and intra-personal skills, and the habits of mind and emotion for success in everyday life.
• Individual Student Diagnosis: The staff uses student indicators of social/emotional health for early identification and intervention to eliminate or reduce student failure.
• Responsive Services: Students receive responsive services to address social and emotional needs.

Responsibilities:

• Planning and Preparation: Use counseling theory and techniques, i.e., individual consultations, group process. Demonstrate knowledge of child and adolescent development. Establish goals for the counseling program appropriate to the setting and the students served. Know state and federal regulations and resources, both within and beyond the school and district. Plan the counseling program, using individual and small group sessions, and in-class activities, and including crisis prevention, intervention, and response. Develop a plan to evaluate the counseling program.
• The Environment: Create an environment of respect and rapport. Establish a culture for productive communication. Establish a culture for positive mental health throughout the school. Manage routine and procedures. Establish standards of conduct, and contributes to the culture for positive behavior throughout the school. Organizes physical space.
• Delivery of Service: Assess student needs. Assist students and teachers in the formulation of academic, personal/social, and career plans, based on knowledge of student needs. Using counseling techniques, in individual and classroom programs. Broker resources to meet needs. Maintain contact with physicians and community mental health service providers. Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.
• Professional Responsibilities: Reflect on practice. Maintain records, and submit them in a timely fashion. Communicate with families. Participate in a professional community - emphasis on the positive and supportive interactions. Engage in professional development. Show professionalism, including integrity, advocacy and maintaining confidentiality.

Terms of employment: 180 days Work day typical for certified staff per contract, including the possibility of an Atypical schedule. Non-exempt, bargaining unit position. Benefits commensurate with contract.

Application procedure: District 108 must have: A completed online application. The following documentation must be on file to complete the application process: Letter of Interest, Resume, Copy of PEL from ELIS, Copy of transcript(s), Three(3) signed letters of recommendation. Documentation should be uploaded with your online application, however if you are unable to upload, you may email, fax, or mail.