Counselor Wellness (2024-2025 School Year)

The Lockhart ISD Mission

The mission of Lockhart Independent School District is to cultivate innovative learners and empower bold leaders who are prepared for a future yet to be imagined.

Lockharts Leaders

Across Lockhart ISD, each of our leaders are guided by three core themes embodied in our leadership definition and their corresponding behaviors:

• Having aLockheart for Peoplewhich is focused on developing one's relational capacity;
• Unlocking Potentialwhich is centered on the development and empowerment of both the self and others; and,
• BeingLocked on Excellencewhich means that every person will have a relentless pursuit for results

Primary Purpose:

The Wellness Counselor will collaborate to prioritize site level wellness and prevention needs. The Wellness Counselor will provide direct services to students, teachers, and other support staff to deliver and evaluate wellness. The primary role ofthis position is to identify and assist students, teachers, families, and school systems in overcoming barriers that interferewith learning through the use of assessment, counseling, consultation, and coordination of resources. This position willprovide a prevention model that will provide knowledge of overall good health in which counseling integrates physical andsocial health strategies. The purpose of a Wellness Counselor is to assist individuals to maximize their quality of life and longevity, by discarding poor health habits and adopting healthy day-to-day practices. It encompasses a variety of goodhealth practices, exercise, fitness, nutrition, smoking cessation, sleep, rest, journal writing and connection to others. The primary goal of wellness counseling is the prevention and management of factors that are influenced by diet, physicalactivity level, and other lifestyle factors. This position emphasizes good health practices, strength, and endurance, and motivation,positive outlook on life, happiness, satisfaction and healthy relations, with the goal of improving quality of life. Wellnesscounselors develop programs that inspire students to make healthy lifestyle changes through a hand on approach.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

A Masters degree in an education or health-related field from an accredited college or university is required.A LicensedProfessional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A), Licensed Specialist in School Psychology(LSSP),Licensed Marriage Family Therapy (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) or a Licensed Clinical SocialWorker (LCSW) licensure is required.

Responsible for maintaining active licensure throughout employment.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Able to plan, organize, and implement curriculum programs for students and staff. This position requires excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.

Experience and skill in classroom behavioral management techniques and methods.

Ability to identify and analyze complex problems and recommend viable solutions.

Ability to work with groups.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

Experience:

Three (3) years of counseling, employee assistance, or health education experience is preferred.

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Have knowledge of current mental health issues, assess student needs following Lockhart ISD policy and protocol, and make appropriate referrals, as needed.
• Design programs and events that provide education on a variety of health-related topics and wellness activities andprovide guidance and advice.
• Provide resources to students and staff, such as health-related posters, pamphlets and/or other educationalmaterials, to reach personal goals.
• Conduct reliable and valid assessments of students, families, and campus needs to prioritize service delivery. Provide interventions to remove barriers to learning.
• Provide consultation to school personnel, parents/guardians, and community partners for the purpose of enhancingtheir understanding of student needs, developing effective interventions, and building school capacity.
• Work with individuals and groups to help achieve health goals.
• Work with students and coordinate with the administrative staff to ensures that students and their families areprovided services within the context of multicultural understanding and competence.
• Utilize evidence-informed practices, skills, and techniques that reflect the understanding of the role of culture in thehelping process.
• Empower students and families to gain access to and effectively utilize school and community resources that creates a plan that meets student needs.
• Perform initial evaluations of student needs and develop customized wellness plans. Monitor student progress and modify their treatment plans as needed.
• Collect and analyze program data. Assess programs effectiveness.
• Assist teachers with the wellness and social emotional integration within a lesson and content learning. Act as resource for teachers; recommend appropriate health and wellness standard-based instruction
• Collaborate with partner agencies to support the implementation of health and safety programs.
• Support and provide professional learning opportunities to teachers in a multi-grade.
• Support teachers in the application of evidenced-based trauma-informed practices, focused on increasing climate, culture and overall student achievement.
• Educate staff and students on stress and trauma coping mechanisms.
• Maintain professional development by such activities as attending conferences or workshops and belonging toprofessional organizations.
• Maintain and organize student records for assigned caseload.
• Provide an exceptional customer experience for all LISD stakeholders with intentional and professional practices that promote a culture of respect and focus on achieving equitable outcomes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; however, all employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in raresituations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise assigned counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s).

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment

Posture:Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion:Frequent walking

Lifting:Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment

Environment:Work inside, may work outside; regular exposure to noise

Mental Demands:Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours