Pretoria Campus School Counselor (PreK - Grade 8 at American International School of Johannesburg

 Qualifications and Experience 

• K – 12 (or at least K-8) license or certification in counseling with a master’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in working with a variety of special needs.
• Experience as an elementary and middle school counselor or related experience.
• Recent and relevant professional development in the field of counseling.
• Proven ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and at multiple levels. 
• Experience in implementing developmentally appropriate elementary and middle school counseling programs.
• Experience and expertise in running effective parent education workshops.
• Experience in working with social/emotional and behavioral challenges, disorders, and disabilities.
• Ability to interpret educational psychological assessments and academic assessments.
• Knowledge of learning disabilities and learning disorders.
• Experience in dealing with academic support as it relates to the above disorders.
• Successful practice of working with parents and students in a counseling role.

 Attributes 

• Positive attitude with a calm and consistent approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Is a highly flexible thinker.
• Builds strong, positive working relationships with colleagues.
• Ability to participate in and establish collaborative structures.
• Deep understanding of students needs at the elementary and middle school level.
• Uses initiative and is proactive.
• Follows through on decisions.

General Responsibilities 

• Is a key member of the learning support process. 
• Works collaboratively with the Principal to actively develop the social and emotional well-being of the students, staff and families within the community. 
• Actively participates in The Child Study Team process under the direction of the Principal.
• Collaborates with the Principal, Learning Support Coordinator, and the Learning Support teachers to develop programs for students with learning needs. 
• Develops guidance programs for direct instruction within the classroom (PK-Grade 8).
• Works with classroom teachers through observations, strategy development, and the CST process.
• Provides information and consults with staff and parents regarding various learning needs and topics related to learning support.
• Works with the Principal, Learning Support Team and classroom teachers to determine class placement. 
• Provides support to Admissions through application review, observations, and recommendations. 
• Collaboratively assists students and families as they transition in and out of school. 
• Coordinates small group and individual counseling sessions with students. 

General Teaching Responsibilities 

• In addition to the specialist level expectations, teachers at AISJ are welcomed into a collegial and collaborative working environment.  In support of this, teachers are expected to: 
• Communicate and liaise on a regular basis with fellow team department/grade members with regards to planning, assessment, parent and community contact, subject organization and classroom issues including discipline, expectations and routines.
• Communicate and liaise with other school colleagues in an effort to promote social and emotional awareness.
• Take an active role in behavioral management and pastoral care of class groups. 
•  Attend and constructively contribute to staff meetings. 
• Assist in supervision of student breaks. 
• Coordinate class activities as deemed necessary. 
• Maintain up-to-date records of assessment, attendance, planning, reports, conferences, and communication with parents. 
• Establish links with the parent community to ensure that parents are kept well informed about student progress. 
• Assist, as required, in the development of social and emotional curricular materials.
• Act as a resource/contact/support for new staff members (i.e., curriculum, schedules, procedures). 
• Participate in at least two co-curricular activities per year.
• Participate in and assist with school events as required.