TITLE: Guidance Counselor- *McCarthy Teszler School

*McCarthy Teszler is a special needs school which serves students ages 3- 21. Each student in our McCarthy division has a primary disability in the moderate to severe range with a diagnosis of intellectual delay, autism spectrum disorder, medically fragile, orthopedically handicapped or as multi-handicapped. They may also have a secondary condition. Our Teszler division serves elementary aged students with emotional disabilities. For these reasons, many of our students require assistance with managing self-care needs and or managing various degrees of aggressive behaviors.

REPORTS TO: Principal

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Shall hold a valid South Carolina certificate in guidance and counseling at specified levels.

• Shall possess highly developed human relations and communication skills.

• Shall possess personal qualities of objectivity, caring, tact, empathy, sincerity, tolerance, and emotional stability.

• Shall have had successful experience or training in the diagnosis oflearning and behavioral problems of children.

JOB GOALS:

• To provide appropriate services, to all students in K-12, ages 3-21, that will enable each to achieve optimally.

• To provide services for students to prevent the development of potential problems and concerns.

• To provide remedial services to assist students in coping with problems which interfere with academic achievement     and appropriate behavior.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible foti identifying guidance needs of students

2. Responsible for goals based evaluation with administrator

3. Responsible for maintaining proper certification

4. Responsible for continuing professional growth through participation in State Department of Education workshops and            conferences as approved by principal

5. Responsible for referrals to community agencies and community services to the school

6. Works with others consistently in a cooperative and respectful manner.

7. Expand knowledge and expertise through regular reading of current publications

a. To meet needs of acceptance, warmth and caring

b. To develop positive attitudes about self and school

c. To promote positive social interaction with peers and authority figures

d. To develop self-discipline, self-motivation and academic achievement

e. To provide an opportunity to talk about concerns (personals social, academic, vocational)

f. To teach decision-making and problem-solving skills

g. To reduce poor attendance

h. To reduce inappropriate behavior

8. Expand knowledge and expertise through participation in teacher in-service and principal approved conferences to foster        understanding of:

a. Student growth and development

b. Children's characteristics

c. Behavior management (positive discipline)

d. Special learning problems of the handicapped

e. Mental ability 

9. Appropriate use of private office space, telephone, group counseling space

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide a written guidance plan as deemed necessary for student(s)

2. Works to provide activities to enhance the personal, social, and emotional development of students

3. Provide indirect services for students through coordination with teachers

4. Improvement of academic achievement through enhancement of student self-concept

5. May collaborate with teachers on student behavior management plans

6. Provide indirect services for students through coordination with parents upon parent request

7. Makes referrals to district office staff or community agency for students in need of special services

8. Provide students with direct services to meet their needs

9. Available to students, teachers, and parents throughout the school day

10. Provide group guidance on topics of general need

11. Provide individual counseling for confidential concerns of students

12. Contribute to student academic achievement through services in the affective domain

13. Assistance to teachers and to students for improving classroom behavior and peer relationships

14. Provide principal approved curriculum instruction to meet student needs in the areas of character education, puberty              education, career education, and drug education

15. Coordinate with media specialist regarding affective materials needed for counselor and classroom use

16. Recommendation of affective books for the staff professional library

17. Daily assistance with supervising and transporting students in the carline.

18. Assist with supervising and transporting students during school-wide activities, events, and field trips

19. Serve as a member of school activity committees

20. Assist with STARS Program

21. Coordinate and facilitate

a. Community Helpers Program

b. Buddy Program

c. Kiwanis Terrific Kid Program

d. Character Education Program

e. Graduate Tours for graduates and parents

22. Performs other duties as assigned by the Principal.

TERMS: 200 days

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in compliance with the Board's policy on evaluation and professional personnel.

Spartanburg County School District No. 7 does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in the provision of educational opportunities and benefits, in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the employment provision (Title I) of the American With Disabilities Act of 1990. EOE Spartanburg School District 7 does not tolerate acts of sexual or gender-based harassment. Any sexual or gender based harassment is encouraged to be reported to Spartanburg District 7, specifically to the District Title IX Administrator: Dr. Kira L. Reaves, 864-594-4400, klreaves@spart7.org.