Middle School Counselor

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Middle School Counselor is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling
program to meet the academic, personal, social, and college advising needs of each Middle School
student. The Middle School Counselor should be primarily a student advocate who supports students
throughout their Middle School years and works to maximize the academic, creative, and social potential
of every student. In partnership with teachers, administrators, and parents, the Middle School Counselor
works to help prepare our students for responsible participation in a global society.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE
Spiritually, the employee shall possess characteristics that reflect: A strong, clear Christian testimony

• A mature, godly spirit
• A person of faith and prayer

Personally, the employees life shall reflect:

• A lifestyle of biblical integrity
• A spirit of dedication, commitment, flexibility, and responsiveness
• The ability to listen and respond to counsel

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• The Middle School Counselor should possess a minimum of a masters degree.
• Mississippi Association of Independent Schools issued Teachers Certification in the area of assignment

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS
Candidate should possess excellent organizational and communication skills. Especially important is the ability to protect confidentiality in all matters. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in a school setting working with adolescents and their parents including teaching, counseling, and
developing student or parent education programs.

JOB DUTIES
The Middle School Counselor reports to the Middle School Principal. His/her specific responsibilities
include the following:

• Work toward the goal of accomplishing the Portrait of a Graduate in all students.
• Maintain standards of the Characteristics of Professional Excellence
• Be intentional about maintaining the Culture of MRA
• Maintain an atmosphere where employee relations are positive, supportive, and collegial
• Counsel students individually and in group settings using a short-term, strengths-based, solution-focused model; assist with problem-solving regarding academic, social and emotional issues; serve on crisis response planning team.
• Consult with parents and teachers; may be involved with test interpretation and/or assist with educational, personal, psychological, or social factors affecting academic progress.
• Function as a resource for divisional faculty and staff; consult with and provide information to faculty/staff on topics such as adolescent development and standardized test interpretation, peer/adult relationships, and group dynamics. Contribute to in-service training as requested.
• Act as a central repository of student records regarding social, psychological, learning, and emotional issues; work with the Middle School Principal to maintain, manage and secure records. Maintain and manage confidentiality of student records, including interfacing with an electronic medical records platform.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and improvement of parent/family education and orientation programs, emphasizing developing programs focused on students developing a healthy lifestyle. Topics should include drug/alcohol prevention education, interpersonal relationships (including cyberspace conduct), pre-adolescent and adolescent development, and parenting topics/issues.
• Recommend local resources (educational, psychological) which might be helpful to families. Refer to outside agencies, with great discretion, after campus resources have been exhausted; follow up such referrals, as appropriate, and function as a liaison between the professional or agency and the school community. Be familiar with public law regarding child abuse and with appropriate procedures to be followed by the School should such cases come to the Schools attention.
• Be familiar with the nature, availability, and appropriate use of the various tests given. Be available to work with faculty, staff, parents, and students in interpreting and applying findings resulting from individual psycho-educational testing.
• Act as a professional resource; exhibit professionalism through care in communicating, maintenance of objectivity, and discretion with regard to the use of privileged information; adhere to established Ethical Standards. Serve on various divisional and School committees.
• Serve as a member of the Counseling Department; assist in the development and implementation of a Social Emotional curricular plan and advisory program; cooperate with other counselors of the school to ensure smooth transitions and coherent policies, coordinating special programs with other school divisions as appropriate.