General Education Counselor/Academic Counselor

POSITION: General Education Counselor/Academic Counselor
REPORTS TO: Headmaster
DUTY DAYS: 197 Days
EMPLOYEE STATUS: Exempt
‘23 - ‘24 SALARY RANGE: $60k - $75k
HOURS: 7:20 A.M. – 3:50 P.M. Monday – Friday (Some weekends may be required)
SCHOOL/CAMPUS: Aristoi Classical Academy - Cypress

Duties and Responsibilities

The school counselor guides children and teens with social, school, and development issues. Counselors work with parents, teachers, psychologists, and community groups to identify the students’ needs. Counselors work together with administration and faculty to design prevention and intervention activities in order to guide students on a healthy path to adulthood and will meet with students individually or in groups. School counselors also serve as mediators with student conflicts, and they work with students with behavioral problems. The school counselor helps to guide students to solutions with problems. They also contribute to preparing and formulating school policies and regulations.

Education and Training

A bachelor’s degree or better in psychology or a related field is required for this job position. Since this profession deals with behavior, attitude, emotion, and the mind, it would be an advantage to have a concrete background in psychology or child psychology.

Mental Demands

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively (verbal and written)
• Maintain professional and emotional composure
• Promote a positive, caring environment
• Work with and respond consistently and equitably to all personnel, students, and parents/guardians

General Education Counselor Job Functions/Duties

• Along with administration, help develop and implement a K-8 general education counseling program
• Assist administration in planning and presenting in-service training for faculty and staff as it relates to the Cypress campus
• Assist administration and faculty regarding behavioral matters and interventions, related to mental, emotional, social, or relational issues/concerns
• Conduct student observation in the classroom for counseling purposes and administration requests
• Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented counseling and social/emotional instruction to meet students’ needs and the school’s goals in keeping with the school’s mission, vision, and philosophy
• Assist all students, individually or in groups, with developing educational, relational, emotional, and personal/social skills, goals, and plans
• Provide individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs
• Respond to student crisis situations and alert appropriate personnel
• Help students develop skills to own and solve problems and identify students’ strengths and resources
• Consult with parents/guardians and make referrals as appropriate in consultation with parents/guardians
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process as needed
• Assemble and maintain an off campus referral directory for parents and guardians
• Provide appropriate information to school personnel related to the comprehensive school-counseling program
• Assist the special education department with the special education students’ needs and attend ARD meetings as needed, as well as working with Section 504 and MTSS students’ needs
• Participate in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills
• Assist administration, faculty, and parents in supporting the Love and Logic school-wide discipline philosophy
• Organize and conduct parent and community informational meetings as it relates to Aristoi Cypress
• Organize and conduct TEA mandated health and safety training for faculty and staff in collaboration with the Headmaster
• Assist with campus events and activities
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Headmaster

Academic Counselor Job Functions/Duties

• Must have full knowledge of Aristoi’s graduation plan, as well as the Texas Education Agency’s requirements for graduation
• Arrange SAT and/or ACT preparatory classes to be offered on campus
• In conjunction with the Campus Testing Coordinator, develop and interpret extensive summary reports on students’ progress on standardized tests
• Pursue professional development opportunities, including attending conferences and professional meetings to remain current with industry trends
• Be involved in the school community at large
• Participate in committee, department, and staff meetings to benefit the guidance program
• Maintain accurate files on all students and their progression through high school and into the college application process
• Assure that appropriate, accurate information is maintained in each student’s permanent, cumulative record
• Assess the transcripts of transfer students to determine the award of credits and the recommended sequences of classes, and, if necessary, recommend and conduct placement testing for students whose transcripts are marginal
• Work with 8th - 12th grade students in keeping up with needed credits for graduation and conduct the College and Career Readiness (CCR) course for all 8th grade students
• Conduct course selection group sessions for students and parents
• In coordination with the Headmaster, assess all submissions from students/parents who have completed approved on-line courses for high school credit
• Make necessary schedule changes for individual students that are both appropriate for their abilities and aligned with their educational plans
• Track trends in admissions and college counseling fields
• Manage a caseload of students, providing strategies, advice, support and guidance to those students and their families from the application process throughout their time at the School to making the best individualized choice for college
• Meet with students individually and in groupings to educate and empower them on how to navigate the college process, admissions trends, and individual college options
• Counsel and assist students to identify resources for scholarships and financial aid for colleges and universities
• Provide student and parent updates throughout the year on college application and scholarship information and deadlines
• Create and submit materials to colleges in support of college applicants, including transcripts and references/recommendations. May include coordinating the faculty writing of requested recommendations for students applying to college
• Cultivate mutually beneficial working relationships with college admissions professionals and local area college counseling colleagues. Facilitate visits between students and college representatives on campus. Arrange and direct visits to relevant colleges and college fairs
• Visit college campuses to stay abreast of university offerings and become familiar with the nuances of signature programs
• Provide college scholarship resources; organize financial aid workshops

Aristoi Classical Academy is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability. This job description summary does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. This job description is subject to change in response to
funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operating procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.