JOB DESCRIPTION: Counselling
Reports To: Principal, Vice Principal, Head of Student Support & Wellbeing
Main Working Relationships:
Grade Level Team, Learning Lead, Learner Success Team
CIS staff work together as a team in a spirit of inquiry. The division, grade, subject, or project group team structure is a key feature of the organization of the school. As members of various teams, teachers work to support other members through professional exchange, collaborative and informed decision making, and high quality planning and teaching. This team effort binds the community, builds programme continuity, and ensures equitable access to learning opportunities for our students.
Main Responsibility:
A teacher works to improve the quality of learning outcomes for students by providing teaching and learning ‘best practices’ within the framework of the school’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, Learning Principles, Culture, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes.
A pastoral counsellor will work closely with the school administration and related support services in planning and implementing a secondary school counselling program, providing direct counselling intervention to students and case consultations to school personnel and parents. The primary focus of secondary school counselling support will be:
- Promoting student social/emotional well-being to enable/enhance learning opportunities
- Student engagement in the learning process
- Personal and social development of students
- Coordinating with school health coordinators
Required Qualifications:
- Masters degree in Education / Counselling
- Successful pastoral counselling experience
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Capacity to work collaboratively as the member of a team
- 5 years of experience with international schools working with third culture students
Preferred Qualification:
- Training and experience in the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP, or DP
- A teaching certificate or credential
- Successful teaching experience with IB experience
Curriculum and Instructional Responsibilities:
- Review the relevant CIS pastoral curriculum documents throughout the year.
- Collaboratively develop and implement unit and long-range plans with team members.
- Develop and implement short-range plans that reflect students’ knowledge and identify learning outcomes, as mandated by the CIS Curriculum.
- Conducts formative and summative assessment tasks in collaboration and consultation with team members.
- Review, edit, and maintain long-range and unit plans in Managebac.
- Maintain daily/weekly lesson plans in a readily accessible format.
- Help students thrive in a well-organized learning environment where students’ behaviour and classroom procedures are managed effectively.
- Create an inspiring learning environment that invites inquiry, innovation and intellectual curiosity.
Professional Responsibilities / Teacher :
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all students in accordance with CIS administrative policies and divisional procedures.
- Know, understand, and support the school’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Learning Principles.
- Participate in all Child Protection training
- Participate in the Individual Work Plan (IWP) process:
- Meet the expectations as outlined in the CIS Teacher Job Description, the CIS Teacher Standards, and the CIS IB Programme Expectations for Teachers.
- Solicit feedback from parents or students via survey.
- Develop and implement an Individual Work Plan (IWP) that supports the Division Work Plan (developed from the school’s Strategic Plan).
- Reflect individually and collaboratively (IWP Meetings with Principal) on the aforementioned components.
- Provide feedback on the IWP process to school administrators.
- Be actively involved in the Activities program, in special events (Carnival, Talent Shows, Steam Fair, Exhibition, etc.), and provide co-curricular and / or coaching as required based on skill set
- Contribute to community building (IWP)
- Be dependable (be where you are expected to be, complete tasks on time; punctual (arrive to school, meetings, etc. on time); and prepared for class (all materials set up and ready for student arrival; plans readily accessible).
Professional Responsibilities / Pastoral Counsellor
To ensure student success in the learning process by:
1. Establishing a relationship of trust and respect with students.
2. Working collaboratively with teachers, parents, administration, internal and external support agencies.
3. Supporting a climate that seeks improvements and celebrates student success.
4. Maintaining a high level of visibility.
To nurture student growth and development by:
1. Guiding and supporting students in developing the skills and attitudes to self advocate.
2. Guiding and supporting students in making decisions and choices to deal with learning challenges through the identification of strengths and weaknesses.
3. Being present to students, actively listening to their concerns and demonstrating empathy towards them.
4. Scheduling and coordinating times to meet with students as the need arises. This can occur during class, lunch, SMART, before/after school or student’s free times as appropriate.
5. Providing individual and small group counseling services.
6. Devising and delivering culturally-sensitive interventions for students who need specific support in the area of social and emotional development based on the behavioural and emotional concerns presented by them.
7. Supporting transitions: Primary School to Secondary School, PYP to MYP, MYP to DP, and entering or leaving the school.
8. Contributing to student assemblies and/or parent sessions
9. Providing crisis intervention and support when needed.
10. Child Protection advocacy, training and consultation as child protection officer
11. Administering social, emotional, behavioural assessments
To foster both teacher and parent collaboration by:
1. Supporting parent/teacher/student conferences and making recommendations that will enhance learning opportunities and learning success for Secondary School students.
2. Assisting parents to liaise with external agencies for follow-up or assistance as appropriate.
3. Attending supervision and training courses as required and in consultation with Secondary School Administration.
4. Assisting teachers and parents to interpret assessment data cogently related to an identified student learning and/or behavior.
5. Supporting teachers to assess the learning, emotional and behavioural needs of students.
6. Attending grade level meetings when required.
7. Sharing information with the administration and Learner Success Team regarding students’ social and emotional well-being.
8. Providing parent and/or teacher consultation as needed.
To fulfill related administrative duties including but not limited to:
1. Documenting and maintaining student records:
- Background history and dates
- Summary record of interventions
- Recommendations and plan of action.
2. Meeting Edutrust requirements, specifically updating ‘Record of Counseling Sessions’.
3. Assisting teachers to draft counselling documentation as applicable.
To develop the structures and procedures of an effective school counseling programme by:
Continuing to be informed of current research and best practices in school counselling, including ‘The International Model for School Counseling Programs’ and International Schools Counselling Association guidance.
