Thursday, January 10, 2019

ACT Conference

This year’s state ACT Conference in Cedar Rapids is just around the corner.  Our state council has been working diligently to provide relevant sessions (please preview the agenda) to assist you and your colleagues as you work to narrow the achievement gap, improve equity and access and remove barriers for post-secondary success.  Traditionally, the conference has targeted counselors as their main audience,  however, now that ACT has transitioned from an assessment to a learning company, the target audience now encompasses all educators and their school’s business partners.  As a building leader and advocate for your students, please consider bringing a team to the conference.  Information for the conference is listed below.

    
The Iowa ACT Council is pleased to announce the:
2019 Iowa ACT State Organization Conference
This year’s conference, “Breaking Down Barriers…Equity and Access for ALL,” features sessions that will inform and inspire attendees to implement new ideas and best practices for helping all individuals prepare for education and workplace success. Join us at The Hotel Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

View the agenda to learn more and make sure to follow @ACT for the latest conference updates!

For more information about this event, view our website. Specific questions may be directed to Nick Arnold at nicholas.arnold@act.org.
We hope you will join us for this important event!

Sincerely,

Wayne Cabel
Chair, Iowa ACT State Organization Council

Monday, January 7, 2019

New Position

The Winterset school system has created a new position for a HS Counselor with a College and Career Ready Focus. Please see below for information and go to TeachIowa.gov to apply!!

Position Title:        HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR - Husky Ready Focus

Qualifications:
  1. Valid Iowa Counseling Certification with Multi-Occupations Vocational endorsement or willingness to obtain OR Career and Technical Education Teacher with Multi-Occupations endorsement.
  2. Good communication and problem solving skills.
  3. Self-directed.
  4. Enthusiastic about learning and committed to continuous development as an educator and a counselor.

Reports to:    Building Principal

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instructional and counseling responsibilities:
  1. Develops, teaches, and implements the Husky Ready course to 9th grade students with focus on incorporating learning for success in high school, college, career, and life.
  2. Develops, teaches, implements, and facilitates the Workplace Development course.  
  3. Facilitate the development of 4 year plans to ensure students are college, career, and life ready upon graduation.
  4. Provide leadership in the coordination and facilitation of Workplace Learning Experiences (Job Shadow, Industry Mentorship/Internship, Workplace Learning Experience, Apprenticeship, and Paid Work Experience) as connected to each 9-12 grade student’s 4 year plan.
  5. Works with teachers, counselors, parents and outside resources/service providers to meet the needs of students through the development of career, college, and life awareness activities.  
  6. Coordinates with administration, counselors, teachers, multi-tiered system of support team, and professional learning community teams to develop intervention plans for students in need.  
  7. Counsels small groups and individual students on college, career, and life options/needs.  
  8. Consults with teachers, staff, and parents regarding the college, career, and life needs of students.
  9. Refers students with critical needs, in consultation with their parents, to appropriate community resources.
  10. Participates in, coordinates, or conducts activities which contributes to the effective operation of the school.
  11. Advocates for students, especially those with special needs and ensures accessibility of all programs for all students.
  12. Evaluates, analyzes data, and revises the building counseling and guidance program with counseling team, staff, and administration as needs arise.
  13. Pursues continuous professional growth.
  14. Pursues resources to enhance programming and opportunities for students in the areas of career, college, and life readiness.
  15. Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, administrative guidelines, or specific program requirements.
  16. Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedures and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
  17. Implements all district policies and expected practices.

Professional responsibilities:
  1. Adheres to the Iowa Teaching Standards, ASCA School Counselor Competencies and ASCA Ethics for School Counselors.
  2. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively and collaboratively with students, parents, and colleagues.  
  3. Projects a positive image as an educator and counselor in the school and community.  
  4. Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision.  
  5. Displays a positive attitude and adjusts to new changing situations.  
  6. Participates in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school.
  7. Meets deadlines, is punctual, and completes assigned tasks with minimal assistance.
  8. Seeks opportunities to improve professional competence through professional development activities.
  9. Collaborates with colleagues to plan and implement professional development activities to address school improvement.  
  10. Participates in discussion or activities focused on using research to improve teaching and learning.  
  11. Takes an active interest in the school and community.  Attends meetings and serves on staff/district committees.
  12. Maintains confidentiality.
  13. Performs other duties as assigned by principal.

Terms of Employment:    Salary and work year to be established in accordance with provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement.

Evaluation:    Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement.