The Opportunity: PLA School Counselors are passionate devoted leaders who improve student success for all students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. As a School Counselor at Phalen Leadership Academies, you will plan and provide appropriate services for students, support an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all students. This will be achieved by monitoring and evaluating student outcomes, communicating, and interacting with students, parents, staff, and community, and by developing, selecting, and modifying guidance lessons and materials to meet the needs of all students. 

The Details

Key Deliverables:

• Serves as PLA representative at partner, board, and other required meetings and community events
• Provide services to students by counseling students individually and in small groups
• Conduct classroom guidance activities
• Collaborate with teachers on students of concern
• Review school data frequently to ensure that the school counseling program is meeting the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students 
• Encourage teacher/parent communication and community involvement 
• Assist students in conflict resolution 
• Manage crises 
• Assist in the identification of students with special needs 
• Refer students to intervention/remediation programs, as well as academic and alternative programs to ensure academic success and personal well-being 
• Participate in Child Study and 504 meetings

Experience and Education Requirements:

• A passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; with appropriate endorsements, if applicable
• Valid Indiana School Counselor License
• Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
• Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction

The Network: PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model.  In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities, and expanded income opportunities.  

The Campus: 

PLA @ Nixon Elementary School is located at 1000 Edgar D Nixon Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104. We serve about 450 students and believe that every student is a scholar. With the right education, scholars can fulfill their tremendous innate potential and become leaders in their communities and the world. In 2022, with the support of the Montgomery Education Foundation (MEF) and Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), Nixon became a premier charter school in Montgomery, Alabama. We work together with parents and the community to improve the educational outcomes of our scholars and neighborhood families. Nixon exists to serve the local community and create a safe and thriving space for scholars to feel loved, empowered, and encouraged through quality education.

Compensation and Benefits:

PLA School Counselors receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA School Teachers receive: 

• Competitive Compensation
• Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
• Professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and being a part of professional communities within the school
• Incentive and bonus opportunities 

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.