Academic Advisor

POSITION: Academic Advisor

JOB SUMMARY:


The Academic Advisor plays a critical role in supporting the educational program, fostering a positive school climate, and ensuring the overall well-being of students. The Advisor works closely with the Principal, Assistant Principal, teachers, support staff, students, and parents to provide both academic and social-emotional support. This individual assists in the administration of academic programs, behavioral interventions, and school-wide initiatives to enhance student success.

REPORTS TO: Principal and Assistant Principal

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum planning;
• Support teachers in utilizing instructional materials and supplies from the district-approved list;
• Monitor student progress and collaborate with teachers to address academic challenges;
• Attend teacher team meetings and support instructional improvement efforts;
• Engage in school improvement initiatives and professional development programs;

• Promote a positive, safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students through a consistent discipline and student behavioral support system rooted in restorative practices; Implement and support school-wide behavioral expectations and positive discipline practices;
• Provide guidance on social-emotional learning and behavioral interventions to staff;
• Oversee student attendance, discipline, and restorative practices to support student success;
• Schedule and facilitate parent-teacher communication to discuss student progress;
• Assist in the organization and supervision of school assemblies and extracurricular events to build school spirit and community;

• Supervise lunchroom, common areas, transportation, and after-school activities to ensure student safety, and actively participate in crisis management planning and drills;
• Assist in developing and enforcing building policies, procedures, and regulations;
• Provide teacher coaching and support for classroom management and student engagement;
• Serve as a visible and approachable presence in the school community;
• Collaborate with external agencies and community partners to provide additional student support services;

• Assist in the evaluation of both certified and classified staff to ensure professional growth and development;
• Collaborate in the organization and participation in parent workshops, trainings, and school-related events;

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Encourage ongoing professional development and continuous learning among faculty and staff;
• Foster a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement within the school;
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to multitask in a dynamic school environment;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster relationships with students, parents, and staff;
• Ability to analyze data and implement strategies to improve student achievement and behavior;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups to create an inclusive school culture;
• Knowledge of best practices in student discipline, restorative justice, and social-emotional learning;
• Ability to problem-solve and make data-informed decisions to support student success;
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the school's mission and vision;
• Actively promote and maintain quality community relations to enhance student support and school culture.
• Evidence of instructional leadership with a strong commitment to academic excellence with high expectations of students and staff.
• Strong background in core content with experience with multi-tiered systems of support and data Analysis.
• An administrative leadership style based on effective human relations and a student-focused continuous improvement model;
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in curriculum and instruction at the junior high/middle and/or elementary school level;
• Ability and flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Demonstrated excellence as an educational leader with strong organizational, problem solving and human relations skills;
• Effective verbal and written communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with a record of building relationships that foster collegial trust, promote teacher efficacy, family engagement, and motivate others to aspire to high expectations and accountability with a common instructional focus;
• A positive attitude toward the role, and flexibility as an innovative team builder;
• Accessibility and visibility to building stakeholders
• Evidence of regular engagement and desire to continue professional learning, implementation, and reflection, in the areas of curriculum, child development, equitable practices, and instructional methods in the elementary/junior high school;
• Experience with the integration of instructional technology to enhance delivery of learning
• Knowledge of District policies, Local policies, State, and Federal laws relating to students
• Understanding of the range of services and requirements to meet the needs of a diverse student population, including special education, enrichment, and multilingual services, and demonstrated use of strategies for ensuring practice of the same;
• The vision, compassion, and enthusiasm for effective team leadership to motivate high standards and continuous improvement;
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in Spanish is strongly preferred

QUALIFICATIONS


EDUCATION AND LICENSURE

• Master's degree, from an accredited college or university, with training in administration, supervision, and/or curriculum and instruction
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with appropriate administrative endorsement (ie: Principal, Superintendent, etc.)
• Valid, Appropriate Illinois credentials to evaluate certified staff

EXPERIENCE


A minimum of four (4) years of successful teaching or related service experience is required, at the junior high/middle school or elementary level

• Experience in curriculum and assessment design, student behavior support, and/or instructional coaching is strongly preferred
• Experience serving in a building leadership role (ie,: school improvement team) is desirable

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position may require the ability to participate fully in the training and regular certification and use of established methods of crisis management, including de-escalation and physical management. May require valid CPR and First Aid Certification,

Work is performed within the school/district environment where unusual temperature, noise, and hazards are relatively non-existent. Work requires the employee to perform the following critical physical demands of the job:

• Ability to regularly communicate verbally and hear;
• Ability to use close and distant vision and adjust focus/
• Ability to push, pull, ambulate, perform tasks from a standing or seated position, and use fine motor manipulation during the normal performance of tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move up to 30-50 pounds.
• Ability to travel from building to building and within the local community as needed.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Minimum annual base salary for this position is $66,750.00 to be determined by the Superintendent based on experience and credentials. In addition to salary, this position offers fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, Contribution to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) by the Board, health, dental, vision, and life insurance. This is a 10-month certified administrative, non-bargaining position. FLSA Exempt Status.

RELATES TO: Junior High Assistant Principal/Elementary Assistant Principal


Classroom Teachers


Parents


Central Administration Staff


District Personnel as assigned


PTA and Other Community Groups