JOB DESCRIPTION

Providence Public Schools District (PPSD) seeks an exceptional TEACHER LEADER SCHOOL COUNSELOR who is highly qualified and skillful to join our community of teachers, students and stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers who seek a challenging yet rewarding experience.

We serve approximately 22,000 students at 37 elementary, middle, and high schools. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin. In PPSD, the teachers and leaders set high expectations for academic achievement, provide equal access to differentiated instruction, and endeavor to close the achievement and opportunity gap among historically marginalized subgroups within the schools. PPSD is a great place for those who desire an environment that supports their creativity and ingenuity, and respects their credentials and abilities.

REPORTS TO: Principal

Note: Counselor Teacher Leader receives 20 extra days

Under direction of the school principal and the general direction of the Director of School Counseling, this position will have the overall responsibility for providing instructional and organizational leadership to support school counselors with the PPSD Comprehensive School Counseling Program at the assigned middle or high school. A Departmental Teacher-Leader in the Providence School System plays a critical role in improvement efforts and demonstrates an enhanced sense of professionalism. A school counselor teacher-leader has well developed knowledge of the American School Counselor Association Standards and practices current research in the domains of professional school counseling- Academic, College & Career and Social Emotional Learning as well as provides mentoring and training to counselors in the department.

Additionally, the School Counselor Departmental Teacher Leader will:

• Possess the ability to lead onsite and assist with district level professional development in the area of school counseling. Be able to demonstrate evidence of the ability to provide collegial support for improving professional school counseling practices.
• Participate in an annual evaluation process to assess the overall effectiveness of the performance in the teacher leader role in the areas of responsibilities outlined below.
• Adhere to the PK-12 School Counselor duties and responsibilities.
• Follow all relevant District procedures and policies.

**Contingent upon funding**

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in School Counseling from an accredited college or university (Preferred)

RIDE Certification Requirements:

• School Counselor

Additional Experience:

• Master's degree in School Counseling from an accredited college or university (Preferred)
• Five (5) years of successful school counseling experience in an urban school district (Preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of content area standards and research-based counseling practices
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership for the purpose of enabling counselors to improve their ability to implement the comprehensive school counseling program
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, administrators, and parent/community members
• Demonstrated communication and group facilitation skills
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver professional development
• Knowledge of adult learning theory
• You must complete the new hire compliance training prior to your first day of employment

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND CURRICULAR LINKAGES

Collaborate with school and district level staff to continuously improve student achievement through school counseling by:

• Participate in regularly scheduled teacher leader meetings and professional learning opportunities
• Participate in professional learning during the summer (paid at the professional development rate)
• Implement the District's Comprehensive School Counseling Program and achieve the competencies included in the School Counseling Scope and Sequence
• Participating in District Counseling PLC scope and sequence design, development and implementation as appropriate
• Serving as a mentor to department members
• Mentoring counselors who are new to counseling and to the school
• Participate in district initiatives on leadership development and training

Collaborate with building administration and colleagues in developing and sustaining a professional learning community by:

• Facilitating collaborative planning time with departmental colleagues
• Engaging in dialogue with department colleagues related to research-based school counseling practices
• Assessing professional development needs and recommend professional development activities to meet the assessed needs of counselors
• Serving as a liaison between the department counselors and the principal and between the school level and central level administration
• Supporting counselors in providing direct and indirect services to students as defined by the ASCA National Model
• Providing individual and group support to school counselors in their practice
• Ensuring counselors are providing college and career readiness counseling to all students through individual student planning
• Supporting counselors in scheduling students into classes and assists principal with Master Schedule, as needed
• Serving as a resource to advisors and faculty
• Supporting the coordination, implementation, and completion of students' Individual Learning Plan
• Serving on the school-based interview team as appropriate
• Actively participate and serve on various team meetings as requested by the principal (e.g. crisis, attendance and student support team)
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times

Continue to increase content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge and leadership skills by:

• Attending meetings and professional development related to content, pedagogy, and leadership as appropriate and/or as directed by administration
• Engaging in activities related to sharing expertise in content and pedagogical knowledge

Manage the operational/organization needs of the department by:

• Planning and facilitating departmental meetings which use relevant data to inform and drive counseling practices and supports
• Tracking inventory and distributing materials (supplies, tools, books, and equipment) directly connected with the operation of the department
• Providing necessary information to building leadership to support the scheduling process
• Working to orient new and substitute counselors to department procedures
• Serving as a contact person and leader for sharing departmental communication with students and families alike, using multiple methods (e.g. online platforms, electronic notifications, dual enrollment opportunities, and etc.)

• Duties are expected to be performed during the designated departmental teacher-leader associated time periods (equivalent to 1 period/1 block per day) as well as beyond the school day.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).