School Counseling Intern

Organization Overview:

Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college.

At Excel, we believe that every student-regardless of race, zip code, or economic status-deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of a licensed School Counselor, the School Counseling Intern will provide direct individual and group counseling services to Excel students by using clinical counseling and consultation techniques to promote student mental health, social-emotional development, and adjustment to school, home, and community.

Skills, knowledge, and prerequisites

• Possess a beginning, working knowledge of a variety of forms of academic, social, and emotional support for middle school students.
• Able to speak to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and express both self-awareness of and a desire to grow your own cultural competence as a mental health/social work clinician.

Essential duties

• Collaborate and meet weekly with School Counselor/Site Supervisor to discuss and review student cases, learning plan, and goals for the internship.
• Manage weekly caseload of 15 students via direct individual counseling.
• Facilitate at least 1-2 weekly social-emotional grade-specific counseling groups.
• Consistently and routinely update student files and other documents for tracking student progress in accordance to HIPAA regulations.
• Assess the counseling needs of identified special education students and develop and implement appropriate IEP goals and objectives, as well as write quarterly progress notes.
• Attend IEP and/or inter-departmental meetings for students receiving other related services.
• Collaborate and consult with external service providers, as needed.
• Foster healthy and productive family engagement through consistent communication outreach, providing available community resources, and meetings.
• Consult with School Counselor/Site Supervisor regarding making outpatient referrals.
• Consult with School Counselor/Site Supervisor on acute crisis and mandated reporting procedures if/when necessary.
• Continually improve clinical skills by seeking out constructive feedback and professional development opportunities.
• Attend weekly grade level team meetings to report on student progress, as needed.
• Attend weekly Student Support Team meetings as an active team member reviewing and consulting on high-priority student cases.
• Attend and participate in campus and network-wide professional development training sessions throughout the school year.
• Attend and participate in school-led Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trainings and workshops throughout the school year.
• Attend and participate in MS Counseling Department professional development training sessions throughout the school year.

Team member responsibilities

• Reports to School Counselor/Site Supervisor. Collaborates with teachers, Admin (Dean of Students, Dean of Student Supports, Head of School), School Psychologist, and other related service providers.
• Serve as a productive member of the Excel community;
• Align student support services with the school's mission and educational philosophy;
• Participate in generating and upholding Excel Staff norms;
• Meaningfully participate in Friday meetings, school PD and Family Conferences;
• Do whatever it takes to ensure that the mission of the school is fulfilled.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree is required;
• A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel's values and educational model;
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement.

Preference will be given to applicants who also:

• Have experience in a public or charter school setting;

• Speak Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic fluently;

• Can speak to the importance of rigorous classroom instruction and culture;

• Can speak to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.