High School College Counselor

Position Responsibilities
High School Educator Responsibilities

• Foster a sense of student belonging by cultivating joy and purpose throughout the High School.
• Contribute to our commitment to extraordinary care by acting as an advisor for a small group of students and by teaching our advisory social-emotional learning curriculum.
• Plan and implement engaging learning experiences that are inquiry-based collaborative, culturally responsive, and differentiated.
• Respond to learners’ diverse needs using responsive supports. and measurable, and research-informed interventions and extensions.
• Utilize practices to allow students of all diverse language and learning styles to effectively access learning and support.
• Collaborate as a member of a Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that creates a supportive community, plans curriculum, gives and receives feedback, and engages in professional learning and reflection.
• Actively engage in professional learning and growth through regular observation and feedback cycles, reflection with team and supervisor(s), and participate in external opportunities.
• Engage with students in meaningful activities beyond the classroom that extend student learning experiences (coaching, organizing field trips, sponsorship of clubs, events, overseas travel and/or community service projects, etc.).
• Strive for continuous self-improvement as a life-long learner.
• Model the Core Values in your interactions with all members of the school community.
• Lead and engage with students in meaningful activities beyond the learning spaces, which extend learning experiences for students (i.e. travel on Interim Semester, sports coaching, field trips, sponsorship of clubs, attend events beyond the school day, community service projects, etc.)
• Facilitate restorative conversations when supporting student behavior in the learning environment.
• Connect with and be available to parents and students during and outside of school hours (in person and via email communication)

Role-Specific Responsibilities

• Work to foster connections between social-emotional learning and the college application process in curriculum development, advising, and other support.
• Provide individualized college counseling to juniors and seniors through the full postsecondary search and application process.
• Teach the SAS college curriculum in advisory, seminars, small groups, and grade-level presentations to students in grades 10-12.
• Provide counsel for course selections to students in grades 10-12.
• Support implementation of the College Counseling Office’s multi-year strategic plan.
• Collaborate with the Personal Academic Counseling team to ensure sustained focus on students’ social and emotional health through the college search and application process.
• Advise students, their parents, and the broader SAS community about the college admission process, trends, procedures and testing.
• Counsel and support students as they engage in the college research process, draft essays, and complete applications to colleges and universities.
• Write high-quality letters of recommendation and complete school reports in support of students’ college and university applications. Support other counselors and teachers in writing high-quality letters of recommendation by providing feedback on early drafts of letters.
• Conduct individual meetings with students and parents throughout the school year.
• Cultivate strong working partnerships with universities, schools, and professional organizations by visiting universities, attending key conferences, and engaging with the Singapore counselor network.
• Support students who are fulfilling their National Service requirement or taking a gap year.
• Plan, publicize, and present daytime and evening programs for parents throughout the year.
• Collaborate with Advisory Team, Learning Support specialists, and school leaders to holistically support student needs.
• Take on additional tasks within the college counseling department (e.g., maintaining the SAS College Counseling website, arranging college visits, coordinating UCAS applications, overseeing NCAA and National Merit materials, serving as SAT site administrator).
• Demonstrate commitment to personal continuous professional growth and development.

Position Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field
• Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred
• Teacher or counselor certification preferred
• At least four years of experience in college counseling or college admissions preferred
• Strong technological skills (similar platforms to Powerschool, Veracross, CPOMs, Maia Learning, basic Microsoft and Google experience)
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with a variety of students, parents and faculty in a high school setting

Working Requirements

• Sponsoring and/or coaching after-school activities or sports are part of the responsibility of the professional educator. Therefore, faculty shall be available to coach and/or sponsor an athletic team or other extracurricular activity. Each faculty member is expected to do a minimum of one category 1 activity or sport per year.
• Mandatory attendance of weekly faculty meetings beyond the school day, new hire orientation, and educator professional learning days.
• Chaperone and participate in a minimum of four evening and/or weekend school activities each year, as assigned (including Back-to-School Night, conferences, and more).
• SAS faculty members are expected to commit to chaperoning learning experiences, including those requiring overseas and/or overnight excursions, including but not limited to High School Interim Semester and curricular trips.
• Work up to ten additional days per year to include: one additional day and up to five additional days prior to the start of faculty return date, summer college visits, and during the school year support for college deadlines.