What are the responsibilities and job description for the 25-26 - Whitehorse - School Counselor - 1.0 FTE (40 hpw) position at Madison Metropolitan School District?
Secondary Programs & Pathways
Whitehorse Middle
Minimum Annual Compensation: $68,901
Length of Contract: 192 days
Employment Type: Exempt
MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants for openings for the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.
Why You Should Work with MMSD!
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.
In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.
Becoming a Model School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.
Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework , and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.
We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.
For more information on our teacher screening and selection process, please visit our TEACH Madison webpage .
About Our District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.
Purpose Of Position
MMSD school counselors are innovative leaders who actively work to identify and remove barriers to student achievement and well-being by championing practices that create equitable, safe, inclusive, and positive learning environments for all students. School counselors engage students in exploring and identifying interests and aspirations and play an essential role in providing students the academic & postsecondary advising and social-emotional supports needed to experience personal success.
The school counselor is a core member of the school’s integrated pupil services team: This team works collaboratively, in partnership with teachers, administrators, families, and community organizations, to design and deliver a comprehensive, coordinated, and customized system of student support. The primary purpose of this team is to create environments that maximize opportunities for learning and ensure that all students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to achieve personal success as a college, career, and community ready individual.
As a member of the pupil services team, the school counselor is an advocate for educational equity, promotes the healthy development of the whole-child, and is a leader of systemic change within their school community. Through the provision of direct and indirect services, at both the student and systems level, the school counselor actively engages their school community in the closing of opportunity and attainment gaps and works to ensure that all students and families experience safe, welcoming, learning environments and positive interpersonal relationships.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship. You must apply on our career page to be considered for this opportunity.
Whitehorse Middle
Minimum Annual Compensation: $68,901
Length of Contract: 192 days
Employment Type: Exempt
MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants for openings for the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.
Why You Should Work with MMSD!
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.
In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.
Becoming a Model School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.
Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework , and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.
We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.
For more information on our teacher screening and selection process, please visit our TEACH Madison webpage .
About Our District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.
Purpose Of Position
MMSD school counselors are innovative leaders who actively work to identify and remove barriers to student achievement and well-being by championing practices that create equitable, safe, inclusive, and positive learning environments for all students. School counselors engage students in exploring and identifying interests and aspirations and play an essential role in providing students the academic & postsecondary advising and social-emotional supports needed to experience personal success.
The school counselor is a core member of the school’s integrated pupil services team: This team works collaboratively, in partnership with teachers, administrators, families, and community organizations, to design and deliver a comprehensive, coordinated, and customized system of student support. The primary purpose of this team is to create environments that maximize opportunities for learning and ensure that all students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to achieve personal success as a college, career, and community ready individual.
As a member of the pupil services team, the school counselor is an advocate for educational equity, promotes the healthy development of the whole-child, and is a leader of systemic change within their school community. Through the provision of direct and indirect services, at both the student and systems level, the school counselor actively engages their school community in the closing of opportunity and attainment gaps and works to ensure that all students and families experience safe, welcoming, learning environments and positive interpersonal relationships.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Collaboratively develop and support delivery of a comprehensive school counseling program, that aligns with key school improvement goals and follows the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model. This is achieved through direct and indirect student services and should account for 80% of the school counselor’s time:
- Direct Student Services:
- School Counseling Core Curriculum: A planned, written instructional program that is comprehensive in scope (for all ), preventative in nature and developmental in design. Delivered through classroom lessons, small group and/or school-wide events
- Individual Student Planning: On-going systemic activities designed to help students establish personal goals and develop future plans
- Responsive Services:
- Counseling: Programming to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns. Designed to help students resolve academic, career and social-emotional issues and are delivered through short-term, individual or small group counseling.
- Crisis Response: Support and assistance to students navigating critical and emergency situations.
- Indirect Student Services:
- Consultation: Strategic information sharing/receiving and planning with families, teachers, other staff and community partners to support student success and remove barriers to achievement and well-being.
- Collaboration: Proactive development of authentic partnerships with students, families, educator colleagues, administrators and community partners to support student achievement and remove barriers to success.
- Referral: Support for students and families to connect them with additional assistance and resources within the school and/or community.
- Program Management & School Support:
- Program Management: Program development, resource/material organization, program monitoring, evaluation and refinement. Use of ASCA National Model tools to guide program delivery & communication with key stakeholders.
- School Support: Participation in school work groups, leadership teams, and/or committees that engage in planning and development activities.
- Fair Share Responsibilities: The routine ‘running of the school’ responsibilities that all members of the school staff share.
- High Expectations For Every Student
- Quality Instructional Practice
- Cultural Competence
- Data Proficiency
- Team Collaboration
- Student & Family Engagement
- Resilience & Results Orientation
- Self-Awareness & Growth Mindset
- Master’s degree in school counseling. Official transcripts are required for formal employment.
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) school counselor license (54).
- Applications are considered on a rolling basis. MMSD must first consider applicants who are fully licensed before considering applicants who are not yet licensed.
- If you do not already have an active Wisconsin teaching license, you must obtain and maintain the necessary license(s) for the position. An application must be on file within 30 days of starting your employment with MMSD. Failure to do so will result in your contract being voided.
- The district does not provide financial support for the continued education that is required to achieve the certification. The district does not select or endorse any particular certification program that leads to the required Wisconsin teaching license. An unlicensed candidate can be considered, but they must be hired by a school district in order to apply for a One-Year License with Stipulations with DPI.
- For more information about the One Year with Stipulations licensing process: https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/licensing/types/license-with-stipulations
- To search DPI-approved certification programs: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensure
- American School Counselor Association: The Essential Role of the Middle School Counselor
- American School Counselor Association: The Essential Role of the High School Counselor
- American School Counselor Association: School Counselor Performance Standards
- The American School Counselor Association Model (ASCA Model)
- Ethical Standards for School Counselors
- American School Counselor Association Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success
- American School Counselor Association National Model: A Framework for Student Success Executive Summary
- MMSD Professional Evaluation Rubric
- MMSD School Counseling Programs
- Upon submitting, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Based on your application materials, a hiring manager may reach out to you to schedule an interview.
- Candidates who have indicated fluency in Spanish and/or Hmong are invited to apply for our bilingual positions as well. If interested in a bilingual position, candidates would be asked to complete reading, writing, and oral language proficiency assessments.
- Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury.
- The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the individual so classified.
- School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.
The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship. You must apply on our career page to be considered for this opportunity.
Salary : $68,901
