WHO WE ARE

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School (SLA) was founded to address the need for community access to exceptional, leadership-based education in the heart of southwest Philadelphia. Currently, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School supports over 600 students in grades K-8 in single-sex classrooms, leveraging research from the world-renowned Gurian Institute around socio-emotional learning and differentiation between the sexes, fueling growth, leadership and engagement for all students. Classrooms in grades K-2 are supported by two educators from the SLA team – a lead teacher and apprentice teacher - translating to more 1:1 student/teacher instructional time as well as increased opportunities for differentiated instruction for students.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

At SLA, we believe that every child:

• Is a developing leader waiting to be fostered.
• Is capable of high academic achievement.
• Can positively impact and contribute to the school and community.
• Needs a positive and hopeful definition of reality in order to succeed

We understand the importance of a collaborative learning environment between teachers, parents, and school staff in setting up every child’s educational success.

OUR COMMITMENT

SLA is committed to building talented and committed cadres of teachers charged with the skills to develop leaders by empowering scholars to change the factors that define their reality. Our staff will work with students to develop the leadership skills necessary to drive complete community rejuvenation in Southwest Philadelphia. In developing these skills, students will cultivate an array of leadership components that they can apply to community change on a global scale.

--------------------------

JOB SUMMARY

The School Counselor will provide students with all necessary counseling services to ensure that they are successful academically and personally. The counselor is expected to proactively and reactively work with students, teachers, and families to provide them with strategies and support. The qualified applicant is positive, caring, and results-oriented. They are deeply committed to the success of all SLA students and specifically to raising the academic achievement of children in high-poverty communities and/or children with special needs. They are passionate about working with adolescents, particularly those who may require additional support to meet their unique educational and emotional needs. The qualified applicant will set an example as a continuous, open-minded learner, devoted to evidence-based practices that promote student achievement and well-being. They will build trusting relationships with and support faculty, staff, students, and parents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. High School Placements & College Career Exploration Assistance

• Direct the High School placement process: This requires learning about and helping parents to navigate admissions processes for Public, Charter, and Private schools. The process begins at the end of 6th grade to prepare students to begin thinking about high schools and their admission requirements. 
• Coordinate the College and Career Exploration program for all Upper School Students including the 8th Grade multi-day overnight college visit.

2. School Counseling

• Advises and counsels students regarding academic, educational, and short-term social and emotional concerns. 
• Assists students/parents in understanding school policies and procedures. Provides brief counseling to address social and emotional concerns and appropriately refers students to behavioral health specialists
• Create a unique program for achievement based on student’s identified individual needs.
• Create and maintain 504 plans for students on assigned caseload
• Assist in the MTSS* process; assist in areas of behavioral health.
• Provide individual, group and crisis counseling sessions for identified students
• Speak to classes about topics that align with our Leadership curriculum
• Review agency services with families for outside supports that are available
• Provides individual student planning and responsive services to support students and their families regarding academic matters. Teaches classes and provides counseling to students through planned activities in small group or classroom settings to convey educational, social, and important school information, and offers workshops/seminars for parents.
• Consults, facilitates, and maintains communication with parents, teachers, administrators, and community behavioral health providers on specific student academic and educational matters including academic modifications and/or accommodations.
• Seek out opportunities to improve the Southwest Leadership Academy counseling program as well as own skills and knowledge of school counseling

3. Collaboration Across Teams & Community

• Serve as a member of the Crisis Team
• Work with the Lower School Counselor to plan and evaluate the counseling program on a continuous basis
• Lead Students Success Team meetings to develop a plan to support students who are demonstrating new academic or behavioral challenges. Provides feedback and recommends appropriate action and solutions to individual student's academic needs and abilities. 
• Collaborate with Psychologist and Director of Special Education for treatment plans for individual students
• Maintain communication between the school and outside service providers. 
• Monitor student’s grades and attendance as an indicator of student support needs. Convene Student Support Team meetings as appropriate. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• *MTSS is an intervention process that will support students in all areas that may need improvement. -Students who have behavioral or academic challenges are identified by teachers or through benchmark testing. The MTSS coordinator works with the teacher to prescribe specific strategies to support the students. Student’s progress in monitored to determine which MTSS tier they will be placed into. 
• COUNSELING- School counseling is a proactive program where the counselor meets consistently with the students to provide them with strategies and techniques for success. Students are referred to the counseling program through families and teachers. They are then placed on a session schedule; once a week for 45 minutes, individually or with a group. The topics discussed in counseling sessions are aligned with the school’s Leadership Competencies or identified student needs.
• RELATED SERVICES- Our school has a partnership with related services that we offer to the family for additional support for our students, this information is presented and explained at our family meetings.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• Pennsylvania certification in School Counseling
• Must be able to obtain or currently have all background clearances (Federal, PA State, & Child Abuse)
• Minimum of 2 years of school counseling experience
• Must be willing to work on site in the southwest Philadelphia area
• Strong technology skills 
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer focused approach
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment

Reports To: CAO/Principal and Assistant Principal 

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND EMPLOYMENT PERIOD

Salary Range

• Competitive salary based on education and experience.
• SLA aligns to the School District of Philadelphia’s pay scale.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K Matching Plan

Employment Period

• Ten (10) Months, non-tenureable position

SOUTHWEST LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER