School Counselor

Position Description

About us:

Kuumba Academy Charter School (KACS) is a tuition-free public charter school In partnership with our founding organization, Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. (CCAC), CCAC and KACS form a unique non-profit public school partnership committed to educational excellence. Through the innovative union of academics, arts, technology and family engagement, each individual’s learning style is nurtured resulting in creative learners who are positive agents of change in the community. Kuumba Academy is committed to being the highest performing charter school in the state of Delaware, and closing the achievement gap in the city of Wilmington.

Student Support Positions With Kuumba Academy

The School Counselor utilizes leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to promote student success by providing preventative and responsive services for identified student needs. The SC works with the lead school counselor and school based mental health services team to address the social and emotional needs of the identified student population, including a school wide anti-bullying program, in order to maintain a positive, achievement-oriented school culture where students feel a sense of belonging, joy and significance.The School Counselor works in collaboration with the Student Support Team to address individual and schoolwide needs.

Responsibilities of Kuumba Academy Teachers Include but Are Not Limited to:

• Provide small group counseling and individual counseling for students identified concerns and needs; maintain up to date records for all students receiving services
• Consult and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process
• Facilitate staff trainings on student-teacher relationships, trauma informed practices, and self-care/staff wellness as needed under the direction of the lead school counselor
• Support truancy process by counseling students and families as needed under the direction of the Family Engagement Director
• Provide linkage with community providers to serve families and students needing referrals to out-patient or residential treatment programs.
• Maintain current information about treatment facilities for mental health concerns
• Serve as a primary source for crisis intervention
• Possess knowledge of and ability to access community resources to support students and families
• Provide effective substance abuse intervention skills
• Provide crisis intervention as needed
• Assist students in academic and citizenship development through a career readiness program
  
  

Demonstrate Exceptional Leadership

• Analyze schoolwide culture data (truancy, suspensions, send-outs) in order to make recommendations regarding necessary student and teacher supports
• Support teachers in building meaningful relationships with students and families
• Support deans in behavior intervention process including goal setting, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the behavior intervention process and providing consultation to modify student plans as necessary to ensure maximum response to intervention
• Demonstrate teamwork, cooperation and open communication with all staff of Kuumba Academy, toward the achievement of school goals and objectives.
• Perform other duties and administrative functions as assigned by the Principal within the scope of ASCA.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in parent grievance conferences and return to school conferences as needed
  
  

Qualities Skills And Characteristics

This position requires a creative and inspiring educator with leadership experience, high energy, excellent organizational abilities and a talent for creating a warm and supportive environment for children and their parents. Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong belief in the Kuumba mission and educational model.
• Interest in providing only the highest quality educational, social and emotional experiences for students and their families
• Superior grasp of effective, research-based behavioral methods and strategies for urban youth, including a restorative justice model
• Create individual student academic planning and goal setting in school counseling, classroom lessons based on student success standards and SEL models.
• Advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
• Proven ability to influence and enhance cooperative working relationships within a team environment
• Ability to operate within a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly-changing environment
• Exemplary instructional and classroom management skills
• Proven track record of meeting extremely high standards for student achievement
• High level of personal organization and planning
• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents (teachers, parents, children, board members); clear writer, facilitator and public speaker
• Proven ability to proactively lead by example, effectively manage effectively collaborate, support and guide staff, parents and external stakeholders
• Team player: maturity, humility, grit, flexible, follow-through, sense of humor, open to feedback and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude.
  
  

Educational Background And Requirements

• 3-5 years of demonstrated success in an urban school environment
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social work, counseling, education or related field preferred
• Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system including charter schools is desirable
• School Counseling license is required
  
  

Compensation

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. This position is grant funded.