Job description
Annie Wright Schools seek a Middle School Counselor to begin on August 18, 2023. This is a full-time position that reports to the Middle School Division Director.
Mission Statement
Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.
About AWS
Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.
Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.
Position Description
The Middle School Counselor supports the health and well-being of all students Grade 6-8 through emotional and social skills lessons in the classroom, individual student and small group work, triage, and close collaboration with teachers, advisors, and administrators. The successful Counselor thrives working with a diverse body of students and families, commits to making a positive impact on the lives of students through personal and differentiated relationships, and seeks to ensure that students feel a sense of belonging in the community. In keeping with an integrated approach to student wellness, the Counselor supports faculty and parents in their work with children, coordinates with mental health professionals in the community, builds and implements grade-level programming focused on social-emotional learning and other important mental health topics, and in conjunction with the other members of the Middle School Leadership Team and Advisors and the other school Counselors, coordinates social and emotional accommodations to work toward student success and growth.
The Middle School Counselor supports the health and well-being of all students Grade 6-8 through emotional and social skills lessons in the classroom, individual student and small group work, triage, and close collaboration with teachers, advisors, and administrators. The successful Counselor thrives working with a diverse body of students and families, commits to making a positive impact on the lives of students through personal and differentiated relationships, and seeks to ensure that students feel a sense of belonging in the community. In keeping with an integrated approach to student wellness, the Counselor supports faculty and parents in their work with children, coordinates with mental health professionals in the community, builds and implements grade-level programming focused on social-emotional learning and other important mental health topics, and in conjunction with the other members of the Middle School Leadership Team and Advisors and the other school Counselors, coordinates social and emotional accommodations to work toward student success and growth.
As an IB World School, Annie Wright Schools strongly believes that the social and emotional well-being of our students is of equal importance and intertwined with students’ academic and creative success. The Middle School Counselor understands and supports programming that enhances social and emotional competencies, including opportunities to build responsible independence, developing empathy and respect for each other. At the heart of the Middle Years Programme are students who feel valued and respected, prepared to have the capacity to participate in the world around them.
The Middle School Counselor, therefore, is a core member of our Middle School Leadership Team, working collaboratively with the Division Director, teachers, and families, always keeping the student at the center. The Counselor is kind, compassionate, and contributes to an overall school climate that promotes healthy adolescent development, student wellness, and the school’s mission and vision.
Position Overview: Core Duties and Responsibilities
The Middle School Counselor focuses on the following areas;
The Middle School Counselor focuses on the following areas;
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Student and family support:
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assists in the development of and helps facilitate social and emotional programming to promote wellness, safety, and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem-solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism;
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supports a positive learning environment for all members of the school community and addresses the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs;
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provides individual and small group support to students as needed, and maintains appropriate communication and support for their families; when necessary, the Counselor refers families to outside counselors or psychologists for appropriate counseling or care;
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facilitates the affinity group program and supports program advisors and students in the Middle School in partnership with the DEI Working Group;
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assists in crisis situations by providing leadership and/or direct services;
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provides parent education opportunities throughout the year and parent support as needed;
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Programmatic support:
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works closely with teachers, learning specialists, division director, and MYP coordinator as part of the Middle School Leadership Team to identify, strategize on, and support students’ social and emotional needs;
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designs and implements a social-emotional curriculum that supports the Advisory program;
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maintains an active, positive and collaborative role with counselors in the other divisions regarding the overall needs of the school, students, and families.
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Administrative duties:
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assists families and Middle School Leadership Team in creating and implementing support plans for students;
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maintain documentation as required by State Law and Health Services policies and procedures.
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Fulfills other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
The Middle School Counselor will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Counselor:
The Middle School Counselor will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Counselor:
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holds an MA in School Counseling or a related field, relevant licensure, and experience working as a school counselor;
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demonstrates enthusiasm for working with Middle School-aged students and the ability to build rapport with Middle School-aged students (Grade 6-8);
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exemplifies a high level of emotional intelligence, and experience collaborating with colleagues to support students and develop relevant programming;
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demonstrates familiarity with current research and best practices in counseling, child development, social-emotional learning, and education;
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understands legal standards regarding compliance with state and federal laws, and the ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality;
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possesses exceptional organizational skills, ability to effectively set priorities, be flexible, and work independently;
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demonstrates interpersonal skills, ability to create responsive, caring, and appropriate relationships with students, parents, and colleagues;
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generates and implements innovative ideas for engaging and working with students;
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has excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate complex information about students in a respectful, empathetic and clear manner;
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practices cultural humility in personal interactions;
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has the desire and enthusiasm to collaborate as a part of a team;
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demonstrates proficiency in educational technologies;
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is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.
Physical Requirements
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Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time;
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Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
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Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families.
Salary & benefits
This position offers a salary range between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:
This position offers a salary range between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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Employee Assistance Program
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Life insurance
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Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
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Long-term disability insurance
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Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year
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Twelve (12) paid Holidays in 2023
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Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
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All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session
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A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3% employee contribution
Application process
Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.
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