Middle School Counselor

KIPP KC is part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and in life.  

Together with families and communities, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools works to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. We are a Pre-K through 12th grade school located in the historical 18th and Vine District. We are part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in life. KIPP KC opened its first school, KIPP Endeavor Academy, in 2007 with approximately 31 fifth grade students. Today, KIPP Kansas City has grown to serve students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade and is currently educating approximately 1,000 students.

Middle School Counselor Job Description

Reporting to the Managing Director of Support Service, the KIPP Middle School Counselor is responsible for implementing the comprehensive school counseling program. This position has 4 major categories of work: 1) Social Emotional Learning 2) Deliver Direct and Indirect Services 3) Responsive Services 4) System Support. The Counselor will positively contribute to the entire KIPP team culture to ensure strong preparation for student success throughout their middle school academic career to help them create their chosen future. 

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the 4 following categories:

Social Emotional Learning/Implementing Counseling Program (Direct Student Services)

• Coordinates, implements, and evaluates social-emotional learning through professional development of staff and observations of execution.
• Support lessons and events aligned to comprehensive counseling programs for middle school students.
• Implements the secondary comprehensive counseling program by conducting and training staff to implement identity-affirming social-emotional learning activities in the classroom as planned in conjunction with school administrators and teachers; consults with and serves as a resource to teachers to facilitate the infusion of culturally affirming social-emotional learning activities.
• Collaboratively coordinates and implement suicide prevention programming.
• Keeps up to date records and documentation of individual and group session progress. 

Deliver Direct and Indirect Services

• Complete individual student academic planning for 8th grade transition into 9th grade.
  • Collaboratively plan and communicate middle school to high school transition, including developing academic planning and programming.
• Performs individual and group counseling functions and activities (e.g. college, career, social-emotional, etc.) to enhance student success.
• Conducts structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions to meet the emotional, physical, and psychological health needs of individuals or a group of students, covering topics including self-awareness, self-identity and sexuality, addressing barriers around academic success, external factors (family, community), and peer interactions.
• These efforts support the counselor's role of helping to meet the academic, career, and social needs of students by providing individual planning, responsive services, and school counseling curriculum

System Supports

• Participates in and facilitates the support team processes: assumes an active role in designing, implementing, monitoring, and adjusting educational and session  plans for individual students. 
• Periodically reviews the comprehensive counseling program with staff and administrators, using the program evaluation self-study; reviews and modifies the program calendar and evaluates guidance learning activities.
• Participate in IEP, 504, Student of Concern, CARE team, and other student-focused meetings.
  • Facilitates CARE Level meetings for grade level/teacher implementation.
• Assists staff members with parent or district referrals for section IEP or 504 Coordinator. 
• Collaboratively develops a variety of special programs (e.g. career night,  parents meetings, etc.)
• Monitors students' progress to identify issues and take appropriate action to increase student success.
• Supports implementation of restorative and trauma-sensitive practices and policies
• The counselor provides activities to meet the needs of the students; provides support to other educational programs; and implements an evaluation system to determine impact of the school counseling program

Responsive Services

• Collaborates with administration, staff, students, families, and community to support and/or solve educational and socio-emotional issues.
• Support school leadership with identifying patterns of behaviors that are leading to disciplinary action and collaboratively support implementation of strategies to reduce these behaviors.
• Coordinates and conducts meditations for conflict resolution.
• Supports student McKinney-Vento identification processes and appropriate referrals to social work.
• Supports Crisis Prevention and Response 
• Supports identifying students at risk of not having credits and collaborates with stakeholders to create a plan for student success.  
• Refer students/families to appropriate school and community resources.

Job success measured by: 

Social Emotional Learning 

• 100% of classrooms score 80% or higher during Social Emotional Learning (SEL) walkthrough
• 90% of students report at least 1 skill or concept acquired during a quarterly assessment of SEL lessons.
• At least 2 pt increase in specific targeted SEL metric selected by the counseling department from Semester 1 to Semester 2 to show student growth in a targeted SEL skill.
• Individuals and Groups have documented data to evidence progress.

System Supports:

•  100% of 8th grade students have completed their ICAP before entering high school.

Responsive Services: 

• 100% of referrals are completed and documented.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in education, school counseling, social work, counseling, counseling psychology or a closely related mental health discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in School Counseling by an accredited institution and knowledge of Missouri DESE school counseling. Missouri Certification in Counseling K-8 or K-12 or Licensed Professional Counselor.

Ideal candidate has a deep passion for inclusion and equity in education, and has experience working in a similar elementary or middle school setting as well as someone with specific experience treating and working with childhood/adolescent  trauma. We prefer candidates with experience in implementing research based practices and curriculum. We are seeking someone who is warm, positive, intensely organized, and approaches their work with tremendous focus and adaptability.

• Strong belief in equity, inclusion, diversity, and culturally responsive practices.
• Every student can learn, and every student can succeed.
• Every student should have access to and opportunity for a high-quality education.
• Every student should graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary opportunities including, but not limited to; college, trade school, or career.
• Every student should have access to a comprehensive mental wellness, behavioral health and social emotional learning programming
• Every student and staff member should feel safe and have a sense of belonging at our school.
• Comprehensive school counseling/social work/mental wellness/behavioral health programs promote and enhance student academic, and social/emotional outcomes.

Compensation

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, KIPP KC offers a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage and retirement. 

Start Date: July 1, 2024. All hired candidates must complete the background and fingerprint process and attend orientation.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.