Guidance Counselor

DEARBORN ACADEMYGUIDANCE COUNSELORStart Date: Augmonth fulltime positionDearborn Academy one of New Englands leading 766 approved therapeutic day schools is seeking a Guidance Counselor. Dearborn enrolls up to sixty students in grades 312 who have emotional and/or specific learning disabilities. Our rich academic program which includes diversified student support and explicit instruction combined with our strong clinical component allows students who have been unsuccessful in previous school settings to achieve substantial Guidance Counselor works with students families and staff to develop goals and transitional plans that support students to learn the necessary skills to become engaged members of their community and when indicated return to lesser restrictive academic successful candidate for this challenging and rewarding position will have the following qualities and experience:Demonstrated compassion curiosity and kindness towards students families and staffExperience teaching students with diverse learning styles and social/emotional disabilitiesBelief that students who demonstrate unexpected behaviors have gaps in their skills with a drive to identify these gaps and then teach to the skill areas to address these gapsAbility to work with a diverse team and maintain a manner consistent with the agency commitment to honest direct communication between all members of our staff faculty and administration as an essential feature of creating a positive and respectful working and learning environment for our students and staffWelldeveloped organizational skills and the ability to create a classroom environment supportive of learning and exploring Demonstrated experience as a strong writer communicator and collaborative team memberAbility to synthesize data various viewpoints and informationAbility to approach difficult situations and interpersonal dynamics with a solutionfocused strengthsbased mindsetExperience writing/presenting relevant sections of IEPs (or the willingness to learn this skill)Responsibilities:Manage a caseload of students and work collaboratively with students and their IEP teams to create post secondary transition plans that develop and advance students skills towards college and career readinessCommunicate regularly with clinicians and caregivers and provide plans for additional caregiver support as neededSupport classroom and milieu staff in helping students practice transitional skills in the communityImplement a system for a holistic transitional skill assessment (including student caregiver teacher clinician input) and collect longitudinal data on student outcomes to provide a data driven approach to transitional work Complete Transition Planning Forms in collaboration with students and their IEP teams Attend weekly faculty meetings IEPs and other transition planning meetingsUse the MyCAP and DESE guidelines for transitional services and develop/implement curriculum for transitional services for students in grades 612Run weekly transitional classes for students in grades 612Foster relationships with local businesses and workforce programs to create opportunities for work based learning such as job shadowing internships and paid employmentWork closely with local colleges to help set students up for success in both dual enrollment and postsecondary enrollmentPromote and foster the development of student independence confidence and selfadvocacy skills in the communityCoordinate Dearborn Academys National Honor Society Chapter including holding process for new inductees scheduling meeting times for educators involved in the chapter and overseeing the induction ceremonyManage PSAT/SAT on site testing as the primary contact including scheduling and setting up the proper student accommodations as neededSchedule transitional field trips and guest speakers (for postsecondary planning)Support in planning and overseeing transitional planning events (e.g. graduation senior week etc)Perform other responsibilities as outlined by the Principal Clinical Director and Director of Curriculum & InstructionQualifications:Bachelors Degree requiredMasters Degree in School Counseling Counseling Social Work or a related field preferredTransition Specialist Endorsement preferredExperience in a school environment preferredExcellent relational skills with students parents and providersExperience with the MEFA Pathway program preferredThe Dearborn Academy Guidance Counselor works 10 months. Start Date: Aug 22 2025Dearborn provides a supportive team environment with a competitive wage/benefit program. If interested please apply by providing a cover letter resume and three references to:Alison Mehan LICSWDirector of Curriculum andext 3035Equal Opportunity EmployerDearborn Academy and its parent organization Schools for Children adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination which extends to students families staff and individuals with whom it does business. No person shall be discriminated against nor denied equal rights and opportunities on account of race color age sex gender identity religion national origin ancestry sexual orientation physical or mental disability pregnancy or pregnancyrelated condition marital status military status or Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.