Tiger Academy Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Tiger Academy Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist

LOCATION: Tiger Academy

SUPERVISOR: This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

SUPERVISES: This position does not supervise other employees.

JOB SUMMARY: The Tiger Academy Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of the Urbana School District #116 and Tiger Academy by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The SEL Specialist contributes to the development of a healthy and safe environment by advancing the understanding of the social, emotional, and developmental needs of Tiger Academy students and their families. The Alternative program at Tiger Academy is a temporary educational placement for students unable to be in the traditional school/classroom setting as a result of academic, social/emotional, or disciplinary needs. Students are assigned to report to the Tiger Academy as scheduled through their individual alternative education plan. The SEL Specialist is responsible for providing social emotional learning support to all students assigned to Tiger Academy as outlined below.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Work in collaboration with and support the Alternative Education Teachers/Staff and Executive Director to meet with students individually or in small groups on a weekly basis to support each student's social and emotional needs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of individualized alternative learning plans for students.
• Provide assertive outreach and act as a liaison between students, parents, staff, and community agencies for SEL needs.
• Assess students to determine their need for school social work or other services and address the social and emotional needs of students as needed.
• Establish and maintain home/school ties for students and work with families concerning home situations that relate to school performance.
• Provide assistance to teachers or teams in planning to meet the needs of students by implementing the SEL curriculum, running SAIG groups, providing interventions to students, and co teaching with teachers when needed.
• Participate in efforts to remediate student truancy, delinquency, and behavior needs.
• Maintain records memorializing SEL support with students and families.
• Maintain communication with appropriate community agencies and aid in finding solutions to community-wide problems that affect students and families.
• Evaluate and refer students and their families to appropriate resources within the school and community.
• Adhere to laws and procedures involving child abuse/neglect and cooperate with community agencies to identify the need for protective services for children.
• Identify and offer in-service training for school personnel and parents to engage in group social work meetings.
• Participate in professional growth activities, including workshops, institutes, seminars, and research projects.
• Participate in local, state, regional, and national professional organizations related to the social work profession.
• Recommend lesson and curriculum modifications to meet the needs of individual students and groups of students.
• Work as a team to fulfill the overall goals of Tiger Academy which may include projects or initiatives outside the scope of SEL work, such as college and career readiness activities, family engagement events, community building activities, curriculum initiatives, advisory lessons, among others.
• Perform any and all additional duties as assigned by the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, Building Principals, and/or the Assistant Superintendent for Special Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• Two years or more of school-based experience is preferred
• Experience working in alternative education settings is desired.

LICENSES/CREDENTIALS: This position does not require a Professional Educator License. Credentials in social work or counseling desired.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a team.

START DATE: January, 2025

NOTE: This position is NOT within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position. This position is an hourly position with optional school district benefits. This position is a grant funded position and ongoing employment will be based on available grant funding from year to year. This is a non-exempt position.

AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED: November, 2024