Primary Purpose:

The Counselor Apprentice supports the implementation of the district's comprehensive school counseling program while completing requirements toward Texas school counselor certification. This grow-your-own role provides structured, supervised, and hands-on field-based experiences aligned to the American School Counselor Association National Model, with an emphasis on academic planning, social emotional learning, college and career readiness, and student support services

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, required
Valid Texas Teacher Certification, preferred
Enrollment in or intent to enroll in a Texas School Counseling certification program, preferred
Demonstrated interest in student support services, SEL, graduation planning, college readiness, truancy prevention, and parent engagement

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of student support systems and/or secondary academic planning

Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, and staff

Strong organizational, documentation, and data monitoring skills

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment

Commitment to student success and educational equity

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior

Ability to present information in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group settings to students, parents or guardians, and district staff

Experience: 2 years as a classroom teacher, required

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Guidance Curriculum

1. Assist in facilitating small-group sessions related to social emotional learning, attendance improvement, behavior support, and student success
2. Support implementation of district SEL initiatives aligned to CASEL competencies
3. Support course selection lessons and student portal navigation
4. Support parent workshops, webinars, attendance awareness sessions, and district family engagement initiatives
5. Assist with coordination of college visits, career exploration activities, and military readiness opportunities
6. Support CCMR initiatives including FAFSA/TASFA completion campaigns, scholarship tracking, and college application workshops
7. Provide attendance and truancy prevention awareness lessons for students and families focused on compulsory attendance requirements, credit attainment, and academic success

Responsive Services

1. Provide supervised support for individual student check-ins focused on academic progress, attendance, behavior, and goal setting
2. Support interventions for at-risk students, including students identified for chronic absenteeism or truancy concerns, through data monitoring and follow-up services
3. Assist with truancy prevention strategies, including student conferences, parent meetings, attendance improvement plans, and referrals to appropriate support services
4. Provide supervised support related to coping skills, organization, resilience, and student self-management
5. Connect students and families to mental health, social services, and community resources as directed
6. Assist with parent communication related to attendance, truancy prevention, SEL supports, and student concerns

Individual Planning

1. Assist with transcript reviews, graduation plan audits, and credit verification aligned to EIC(LOCAL) and EIF requirements
2. Monitor credit recovery progress and assist with graduation readiness checks for secondary students
3. Track student progress toward CCMR indicators, including dual credit, industry certifications, TSIA, SAT, and ACT benchmarks
4. Assist with student academic, graduation, college, career, and military readiness planning
5. Support development of individual attendance intervention plans for students at risk of credit loss due to excessive absences

System Support

1. Maintain accurate records, documentation, student support logs, and attendance intervention documentation
2. Assist with data collection related to attendance, truancy, academic progress, behavior, and counseling outcomes
3. Prepare reports and summaries for campus and district leadership as assigned
4. Support compliance with district, state, and federal requirements related to student services, compulsory attendance, and family engagement
5. Collaborate with teachers, administrators, counselors, PEIMS staff, attendance clerks, and community partners to support student outcomes
6. Attend district counseling professional development and required trainings
7. Participate in weekly coaching and mentorship with a certified school counselor
8. Demonstrate progress aligned to ASCA professional competencies and district expectations
9. Support district parent engagement events, family nights, and campus-based outreach efforts

Other Related Duties

1. Complete required practicum or internship hours, if enrolled in a counselor preparation program
2. Perform other student services, counseling, attendance, and family engagement duties as assigned by campus and district leadership
3. Other duties as assigned by campus administration