Job Details
Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Organization
Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed - they will thrive!
If you would like to learn more about Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation, please visit Seeforever.org .
The Touchstone
At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.
Position Overview
The Academic Counselor is expected to support the school-wide goals of emphasizing literacy, helping students develop their critical thinking abilities, driving all students toward mastery and understanding, and helping students find their strengths and talents to use them to address weaknesses and overcome fears. The Academic Counselor will counsel students with educational concerns to facilitate increased learning. The Academic Counselor will also work with students, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and resource team members to try to improve the individual student's education experience. In addition, the Maya Angelou High School embraces a standards-based instructional program where students develop key skills and competencies to prepare them for postsecondary and career success.
Requirements
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Complying with the organization's policies as well as federal laws and regulations affecting schools
- Working with the Achievement Team to build a common vision for school improvement with the staff to ensure the attainment of the school's mission
- Collaborating with the College and Career Coordinator to support college, career, and technical education
- Working closely with the College and Career Coordinator to ensure students interested in CTE programming after completing their high school diploma are prepared and enrolled
- Working with students to identify a career pathway/academy of interest
- Collaborating with the College and Career Coordinator to deliver relevant content to students in the Maya Seminar class
- Collaborate with the Academic Dean for all academic grade-level discussions about the students, including facilitating the Student Support Team (SST) process and tracking relevant interventions that will lead to productive academic outcomes
- Collaborate with the Academic Dean to ensure that all students are enrolled in the appropriate course sequence as they matriculate from year to year, Including routinely flagging students who are overaged and under-credited to ensure they are aware of their standing and scheduled accordingly, identifying students would benefit from credit recovery offerings
- Collaborate with the Academic Dean to do cyclical transcript reviews and work with students to complete Individualized Learning Plans (ILP)
- Collaborate with the Academic Dean to help design the master schedule of course offerings for students
- Collaborating with the College and Career Coordinator to ensure that all students have a comprehensive plan for their transition from high school to college and/or career
- Coordinating and planning relevant town halls to discuss the academic progress of the students
- Collaborating with the Special Education Department and Academic Dean to ensure the students are scheduled in co-taught sections and receiving services as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Maintaining a caseload of students who require academic intervention, including managing credit recovery courses.
- Collaborating with the Enrollment Specialist to ensure that all student's transcripts are entered into PowerSchool in a timely manner
- Managing the Community Service requirement process. This will include:
- Helping students find community service opportunities
-Collecting and tracking student community service forms
- Collaborating with the Enrollment Specialist to be sure community service hours on the student's transcript are accurate
- Ensuring the effective and quick resolution of academic conflicts
- Working with administrators to plan and make decisions for student activities to improve academics
- Conducting conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers
- Other duties as assigned
Knowledge and Skills- Demonstrates uncompromising ethics and personal integrity by adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior
- Demonstrates team spirit, initiative, and a willingness to collaborate with all members of the school community
- Excellent communication (both orally and written) skills
- Understands the cognitive, physiologic, and psychological growth and maturational development of adolescents
- Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively as a member of a multidisciplinary team
- Strong problem-solving and crisis intervention skills
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree ( required) Master's degree in school/mental health/vocational/community counseling or social work (preferred)
- 3 - 5 years experience as a Guidance Counselor (required)
- Experience working with adolescents and young adults in community-based or public school settings
- Understanding working with strength-based and/or youth development perspectives
- Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ability to motivate adolescents and young adults
Salary and BenefitsOur salaries are comparable to those of other public schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, See Forever offers a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, student loan refinancing options, and the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.
See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.