ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) Counselor Middle School

Location: To Be Determined

Salary: Appropriate Level of Counselor Salary Schedule + $10,000 stipend

Duty Days: 212

Fort Worth ISD’s Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) schools are driving rapid change where it matters most. We place top-tier teachers and leaders in campuses ready for transformation; schools that are rising from historically low performance to become thriving centers of learning.

ACE educators extend learning time, deliver high-impact instruction, and receive intensive support to accelerate student success. With opportunities for all, excellence, and urgency at the core, ACE schools offer a bold opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Position Purpose

Develops and implements a comprehensive developmental guidance program for all students to promote student success and school completion as specified by law in the Texas Education Code Section 33.005.

Essential Job Functions

• Respects student confidentiality and the integrity of the educational process as evidenced by accurate student schedules.
• Provides (2) individual student advisory sessions as outlined in the GC Framework.
• Engages students in developing, implementing, updating, and completing their Academic Learning Plans, Six-year plans, Personal Graduation Plans (for identified students), and student interest inventories.
• Schedules students in coherent sequence of courses aligned to the students’ chosen career pathway; consults with College & Career Readiness (CCR) coordinator.
• Advocates for students, mediates and facilitates on behalf of student interests and needs.
• Engages students in the personalized education, career awareness, and college readiness activities (career day, guidance lessons, Education Go Get It Week, and so forth).
• Communicates effectively to disseminate information about students to other professionals as appropriate for follow up and disposition.
• Assists students with the completion of scholarship applications, and provides financial aid information to students and parents.
• Provides engaging student guidance lessons systematically in the 8 strands as identified in the GC Framework (topics and schedule for all students according to TEC and District Policy).
• Provides responsive, intentional counseling to students identified as needing additional support to address specific student outcomes and identified goals.
• Teaches guidance units effectively as indicated from student and teacher feedback.
• Maintains accurate professional records of counseling and Student Support Services related activities on a daily basis.
• Serves on the Trauma Response Team – Completes Suicide and Violence Risk Assessments of students in crisis.
• Responds to students individually and serves as an active participant in the Response to Intervention (RtI) process; selects and uses counselor interventions appropriate to student needs and circumstances.
• Provides group counseling with specific student outcomes and goals identified; provides referral when appropriate.
• Facilitates student referrals to school/district special programs and/or services.
• Engages parents and provides targeted parent education opportunities related to personalized education, career awareness and college readiness.
• Educates faculty, parents, community, and students about the guidance program and services through public information programs (Open House, PTO meetings, campus website, newsletters, and so forth).
• Interprets assessment data to students and parents as a student advocate to promote understanding of educational planning options.
• Interprets information and ideas effectively and participates in campus wide staff development as outline in the GC Framework.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with representatives from community agencies, mentors and others supporting the counseling program.
• Demonstrates an understanding of data driven decision making as it relates to student development and placement.
• Collaborates and develops data driven program objectives (CEIP/MEASURE) and monitors progress each 6 weeks throughout the year.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of individual activities and the overall program success in meeting desired student outcomes identified in the counseling CEIP/MEASURE to submit yearend report to all stakeholders (SPARC) (Quality Program Indicators).
• Collaborates in the planning and evaluation of student assessment activities.
• Interprets assessment data to school personnel as a student advocate to promote understanding of educational planning processes for individual students.
• Observes ethical standards of the Texas and the American School Counselor Associations.
• Pursues continuous professional growth and development to maintain current understanding of procedures and best practices in the field of professional school counseling.
• Performs counseling related responsibility aligned with the Texas Education Code and the FWISD Guidance and Counseling Framework.
  
  

• None.
• Coordinates work with counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s).
  
  

• All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and performs as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.
  
  

• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.
  
  

• Knowledge of comprehensive guidance programs, counseling procedures, intervention skills, student appraisal, career development and post-secondary opportunities.
• Knowledge of pre/post high school program eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of college/university admissions processes, scholarship programs and other educational opportunities.
• Knowledge of current developments in business and industry regarding career opportunities and employment.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior.
• Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff.
• Ability to maintain confidential student records.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written forms, with District leaders, students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
  
  

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
  
  

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment such as Promethean Board.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent walking; frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: Works inside; may work outside; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.
  
  

• Education: Master's degree from accredited college or university required.
• Certificate/License:
• Valid Texas Teaching Certificate preferred;
• Valid Texas Counselor Certificate required.
• Experience: 2 years’ classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school preferred.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) working proficiency preferred in some settings.