I. Student Support: Individualized Counseling: Provide individual counseling to address academic challenges, social-emotional issues (anxiety, depression, bullying), and behavioral concerns specific to middle schoolers (peer pressure, identity development).Group Counseling: Facilitate support groups on topics relevant to middle schoolers, such as social skills development, study skills, grief and loss, or coping with family changes.Crisis Intervention: Respond to immediate student crises such as school emergencies, peer conflicts, or mental health concerns requiring urgent attention.Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate SEL curriculum that promotes self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and self-management.Restorative Practices: Facilitate restorative circles and conferences to address conflict resolution, build community, and promote accountability.Trauma-Informed Care: Utilize trauma-informed practices to create a safe and supportive environment for students who have experienced trauma.504 Plan Development and Monitoring: Responsible for coordination and oversight of the 504 process. Work with teams to develop and monitor 504 plans for students and ensure students' needs are met in the classroom.Attendance and Chronic AbsenteeismCollaborate with teachers and administrators to identify students with excessive absences.Analyze attendance data to understand patterns and potential underlying causes (e.g., academic struggles, health issues, family situations).Meet with students and families to discuss attendance concerns, explore reasons for absences, and develop strategies for improvement.Develop and implement individual plans to support students in overcoming barriers to regular attendance (e.g., academic tutoring, social-emotional learning programs, referrals to community resources).Maintain clear documentation of interventions and track progress towards improved attendance goals.Communicate effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators regarding student attendance concerns and progress.Collaborate with other clinical and support staff (e.g. BCBA, psychologist) to address underlying social-emotional or family factors contributing to chronic absenteeism.Stay up-to-date on school and district policies and procedures related to attendance and truancy.III.
Culturally Responsive Practices: Culturally Responsive Curriculum Development: Collaborate with teachers to integrate culturally relevant content and pedagogy into the classroom.Family and Community Engagement: Build trust and strong relationships with families and involve them in their child's academic and emotional well-being.Identification and Dismantling Bias: Identify and dismantle implicit biases within the school system that may disproportionately impact students of color or other marginalized groups.Culturally Responsive Professional Development: Facilitate professional development workshops for staff on cultural competency and equity issues.IV. Collaboration: Classroom Presentations: Develop and deliver classroom presentations on topics like social-emotional learning and bullying prevention.Teamwork with School Professionals: Collaborate with school social workers, psychologists, nurses, and administrators to create a comprehensive student support system.Teamwork: Collaborate with teachers, administrators, social workers, psychologists, and other professionals to develop a comprehensive student support system.Transition Support: Develop programs to support students transitioning from elementary to middle school, addressing anxieties and academic adjustments.Data Analysis: Collaborate with administration to analyze data on student performance, discipline referrals, and suspensions to identify and address equity gaps (universal mental health screening, SOS, climate & culture surveys).Community Partnerships: Develop partnerships with community organizations to provide students with access to needed resources.V. Self-Reflection and Growth: Culturally Responsive Assessment: Engage in ongoing self-reflection on cultural competency and adjust practices to better serve students from diverse backgrounds.Student Feedback Surveys: Develop and administer student feedback surveys to gain insight into their experiences with counseling services and identify areas for improvement.Stay Current on Equity Issues: Stay up-to-date on research and best practices related to social justice and educational equity.Mentorship and Support: Provide mentorship and support to students and colleagues.