Manager of Counseling Services - Missouri Connections Academy

Company Summary:

At Connections Academy, helping students maximize their potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized learning program is at the core of our mission. Connections Academy was founded in 2001 to deliver high-quality, highly accountable online education to students in grades K-12. Hallmarks of Connections Academy-supported online schools include personalized learning, an award-winning curriculum and Education Management System (EMS), dedicated state-certified teachers, and a supportive school community.  Parents of enrolled students consistently share their satisfaction with Connections Academy: 92% “would recommend the schools to other families” and 95% say the curriculum is “high quality.” In 2017, Connections Academy-supported public schools serve students in 27 states, while the private online school, International Connections Academy meets the online school needs of students worldwide. Recognized for its outstanding curriculum and leadership, Connections Academy is committed to expanding quality education through technology, and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company, Pearson, and its Online & Blended Learning group. For more information, visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com. 

Position Summary and Responsibilities:

This position is working with Missouri Connections Academy. Working from your home office, the Manager of Counseling Services will work in conjunction with the school’s leadership team to help students, ensuring that each child successfully completes his/her instructional program. The Manager of Counseling Services will provide direction to staff and will assist students and parents in understanding and meeting graduation requirements, course selection and scheduling, post-secondary school planning, and crisis intervention.  The Manager of Counseling Services will support the entire educational program of the school.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Support the teachers in exhibiting and maintaining a high level of professionalism, instructional support and customer service;  
• Ensure the academic success of individual students by utilizing all levels of academic support available and by maintaining a high level of communication with parents to deliver program information and address individual student needs;
• Assist teaching staff with implementing any program changes and/or new software application introductions as appropriate to support student success;
• Exhibit high quality communication with all staff, students and families;
• Provide specified assistance to families in need of additional support to prevent unnecessary disenrollments and encourage a high level of participation;
• Participate in student recruitment efforts including in-state trips, presentations, Q & A sessions and responding to the press;
• Support parent Community Coordinators to suggest social activities and relevant field trips for students;
• Devise and implement virtual methods of creating and maintaining a “school community”;
• Handle any student problems escalated by parents and teachers;
• Communicate and coordinate any overlapping responsibilities with the school leadership;
• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to academic and career planning and graduation;
• Oversee and maintain the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) of each student;
• Oversee and manage ICAPs for all students in grades 8-12;
• Keep abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicate this information to the High School Coordinator and the principal;
• Plan and supervise the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests.  An integral part of this process is assisting students and parents to develop a Four Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements;
• Counsel students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules;
• Supervise the review of student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system;
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure that Connections Academy transcripts are accurate and up-to-date;
• Supervise efforts to secure complete and accurate records for Connections Academy students;
• Generate and authorize official transcripts for families upon request;
• Counsel families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal;
• Develop, plan and implement counseling programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
• Design and implement crisis prevention and management plans for the school and provide leadership to the Crisis Management Team;
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;
• Lead school teams in identifying school and community resources and maintain an up-to-date list of those resources, making them available to school teams and to families;
• Develop and implement processes to regularly and frequently review the status of each secondary school student related to attendance, participation, and performance;
• Ensure that the counseling staff is able to assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately;
• Work closely with teachers to review the content of secondary school courses, making recommendations for enhancement to the Curriculum Team related to content and state requirements.
• Research, develop and implement special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation.
• Understand the requirements for and facilitate the administration of all high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, WorkKeys, EOC, and AP exams;
• Administer tests in-person (travel may be required);
• Design and implement professional development activities for teachers and school staff members.
• Design and coordinate high school graduation ceremonies;
• Coordinate a team of middle and high school teachers, helping to identify students who are at risk or in crisis;
• Monitor all enrollment requirements and communicate requirements to the Enrollment Department;
• Oversee Missouri Connection Academy’s RISE program;
• Provide state testing support including logistics for scheduling, tracking participation and contracting for testing facilities;
• Support the Marketing Department with student outreach, marketing and public relations; and
• Manage counselors, advisory teachers and other positions that may fall under the umbrella of the counseling department;
• Develop a vision for the counseling department so that it aligns with the school’s mission and vision;
• Work with the DESE and the school for state accountability purposes to monitor graduation rate, CCR, state testing completion and other areas as assigned;
• Monitor the Missouri Connections Academy A program;
• All other duties assigned.

Requirements:

• Minimum of five (5) years teaching experience and some counseling or management experience preferred
• Missouri Counseling Credential endorsement or administrative license
• Advanced degree preferred
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer-focused approach
• Student-centered approach
• High degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Team player track record
• Some travel required.