Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Temporary School Counselor (Professional School Counselor)

Temporary School Counselor (Professional School Counselor)( P074653)

Requirements: Master's degree in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counseling Endorsement 

Reports to: Principal


Evaluated by: Principal


PRIMARY FUNCTION

As vital members of the school’s educational leadership team, professional school counselors provide comprehensive, developmental supports within the academic, personal/social, and career domains to ensure that today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors are uniquely trained professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. School counselors provide proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help all students achieve success in
school1.


MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, Implement, and Evaluate a Comprehensive School Counseling Program aligned with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) REACH Framework for School Counselors1:

The Framework is aligned to the American School Counselor Association National Model for School
Counseling Programs2 and outlines a comprehensive counseling program that delivers services equitably to all students in the building.

Conduct Annual Needs Assessments and Data Reviews to Determine and Prioritize Student Needs:

The school counselor will conduct an annual needs assessment and data review to identify critical areas of student need. The school counselor will then create targeted program goals aligned to the schoolwide goals, mission, and vision. This ensures that school counseling services address critical areas of demonstrated need, resulting in improved academic achievement.

Implement the School Counseling Core Curriculum:


In order to reach all students, the school counselor will design, conduct, and co-teach learning activities in classroom, large group, and/or school wide settings, based on the academic, career, postsecondary and social/emotional needs of the students so as to facilitate the infusion of school counseling as an integral component of the total education curricula. Activities to support this objective may include: classroom guidance; high school/college/career fairs; high school/college/career tours; grade-level or school-wide team building activities.

Provide Individual Student Planning Activities:

In collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will create an academic plan that ultimately results in the successful obtainment of a diploma and postsecondary option(s) of choice. Activities to support this objective may include: facilitation of completion of the Individual Learning Plan in Naviance; transition activities (i.e orientations, HS app process); events to inform families of test results and their implications for educational planning; advisement to ensure students are on-track to the next grade level or phase in life.

Provide Responsive Services:

In collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will provide responsive services to address students’ barriers to academic achievement. Activities to support this objective may include: facilitation of small groups; structured, short-term, goal-oriented individual counseling sessions; participation in building-level student assistance teams; facilitation of conferences with students, teachers, and families; consultation with teachers, families, and external partners regarding the developmental needs of students; schoolwide support during crisis or emergency situations; participation in IEP/504 Plan teams. Please note that school counselors do NOT provide therapeutic treatment of a mental, emotional, or bodily disorder.

Provide Indirect Student Support:

Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselor’s interactions with others. Activities to support this objective may include: referral of students/families to district and community resources; sharing strategies that support student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations; serving as a student advocate to promote student development within the three domains; serving as the school’s resident expert on student development; reaching out to other experts and stakeholders to obtain information on students’ needs; teaming/partnering/serving on committees and advisory boards; creating formalized partnerships with community based organizations.

Provide System Support:

As professionals, leaders, and advocates in the school building, the school counselor will coordinate, conduct and participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school consistent with the approved school counseling program. Activities to support this objective may include: creation of an annual school counseling Evidence-Based Implementation Plan and Annual Agreement to support overall school goals and objectives; creation and delivery of needs assessments to determine the primary needs of students according to a variety of audiences; collection and aggregation of multiple data sources in order to determine need, as well as to progress monitor counseling interventions; protection of planning time for the creation and modification of counseling interventions; coordination of professional development/inservice programs for faculty and staff.

Participate in Regular Professional Development:

So as to stay current with evidenced-based practices in the field, the school counselor will actively participate in district, state, and national professional development; participate in professional associations; read professional journals; attend workshops and conferences; engage in continuing education coursework.





References:
1:
REACH Framework for School Counselors
2: American School Counseling Association National Model for School Counseling Programs
©2014 | 42 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602 Chicago Public Schools

Monday, January 13, 2020

A Letter from Dr. Ockerman, CSL Program Director

Dear Fabulous CSLers,

Welcome back & Happy New Year!

We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating winter break. 

During December, some of us had the amazing opportunity to participate in our first counseling study abroad trip since 2007. Big props to Dr. Miranda Parries for an incredibly successful venture. Twelve counseling and one social work student spent two weeks in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal learning about their decriminalization drug policy while enjoying the marvelous weather, people and food. Their humanistic approach was inspiring and gave new insights into innovative and integrative ways of working to solve this multi-faceted issue within our country. We encourage all of you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity next year by registering for the study abroad section of CSL 466: Chemical Dependency. If you have already taken the course, you may take the advanced section, CSL 482. Contact Dr. Parries (MPARRIES@depaul.edu) for details. Note, study abroad scholarships are available.


The year 2020 offers us a time for reflection; time to consider a “focus” or a “clearer vision” of who we are and who are becoming. As your faculty, we continuously review the vision for our program and how we can make it better and stronger. In the coming year, we will be hiring three new tenure-track faculty, applying for diversity grants to ensure we are focused on multicultural proficiency and integration, and prioritizing the wellness of ourselves and others. What will you do to increase your focus and cultivate a clearer vision of who you are and who you are becoming in 2020? We hope you will take a moment to think about this question and to cheer on your peers as they ask this question of themselves. Together we are better. 

When you are in the COE, please stop by COE 329 to say hello to our department’s new Executive Assistant, Will McFarland. Will has previous experience working as an administrative assistant in the School of Accountancy and MIS and is beginning a graduate program in the School of Public Service this winter.

We look forward to another productive quarter. As always, rise up, reach out, shine on.

With warm winter wishes,
Dr. Ockerman, CSL Program Director

Important Reminders:

Friday, January 17 is the last day to drop a class without penalty (no tuition charge and no record of the class on transcripts).  Students who withdraw between January 18 and February 21 will receive a “W” grade and will be responsible for applicable tuition charges. 

Friday, February 21 is the last day to withdraw from a class and receive a “W” grade.  After this date, students should receive whatever grade they have earned for the class.
a.    More information can be found here: https://academics.depaul.edu/calendar/Pages/default.aspx.

Ø  If you are interested in nominating a CSL faculty for the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award, you can do so by following the below procedure:
o   Nominations should be typed in letter form and signed, detailing reasons why the faculty member should be considered for the Excellence in Teaching Award.
o   Nominations should be submitted to Sarah Magnuson, Executive Assistant, at smagnuso@depaul.edu.
o   Nominations are due by January 31st

Part-Time Counseling Clerk

Part-time Counseling Clerk (about 20 hours a week) at Philips Academy
If interested, contact Kate Kaushal, Phillips Academy post-secondary school counselor at kswem@cps.edu