Crownsville, Maryland
Crownsville, Maryland
Posted: 07-Jan-25
Location: Danbury, Connecticut
Type: Full Time
Categories:
The Assistant Director of Student Guidance (ADSG) has shared responsibility for the ongoing development and implementation of Wooster School’s Student Guidance Program. The Student Guidance Program in Wooster’s Upper School is designed to develop students’ emotional intelligence, self-reflection and regulation skills, and understanding of relationships and well-being, while also helping them to consider life pathway options, also referred to as “wayfinding,” including the college admissions process. Utilizing an intentional curriculum, which is designed to promote learner behaviors (time management, agency, reflection, perseverance, and collaboration), research, self-reflection, and wellness, the Student Guidance program is a four-year experience, starting with 9th and 10th Grade Academies and continuing through Junior and Senior Seminars, where the focus becomes the college search process and Senior Independent Study.
The Assistant Director of Student Guidance (ADSG) shares responsibility for the ongoing development and implementation of the four-year Student Guidance program, to include the following:
Primary Responsibilities:
Coordinator of Student Guidance Curriculum and Instruction
- Collaborate with instructors and co-teach in the 9th and 10th Grade Academy program, including development and review of curriculum, as well as maintenance of links to 9th and 10th grade core academic programs.
- Work closely with the Director of Divisions and Chief Academic Officer on program design and scheduling.
- Co-teach and collaborate in the design and implementation of Junior and Senior Seminar courses as needed.
- Collaborate with the Upper School Deans and Student Life team, School Chaplain, Humanities faculty, and others in their roles as they implement or support the Student Guidance Curriculum.
Manage Caseload of Juniors and Seniors: Navigating the College Admission Process
- The ADSG will manage a reduced caseload of juniors and seniors (approximately 15-20% of the total) to provide individualized and comprehensive support focused on helping students enroll in a great-fit college.
- Develop balanced and cohesive college lists to meet student (and family) needs and expectations, and advise students on the best potential college fit for their academic, athletic, artistic, and family profile and background.
- Review, edit, and support the development of outstanding college applications, including the writing and revision of resumes, college essays, self-reported academic records, letters of demonstrated interest, and scholarship and work-study opportunities.
- Write a counselor letter of recommendation for each senior applying to college.
- Travel with and co-chaperone the Spring/Summer college tour.
- Establish and maintain lines of communication with national and international colleges and universities, and build relationships with regional admissions representatives
Collaboration with Director and Assistant Director of Student Guidance to:
- Facilitate standardized testing for 9th-12th grade students, coordinate accommodations for those with learning plans, and schedule logistics for the days of testing.
- Contribute to the preparation of extensive summary reports analyzing college admission results for Wooster students.
- Co-construct and lead student, parent, faculty, and Board of Trustees education, including evening seminars, designed to assist in understanding and navigating the college admission process.
- Help coordinate college admission representative visits to campus, and help plan, organize, and execute college admission-related events on campus including the annual college fair, essay-writing workshops, and the senior college application workshop.
Other Responsibilities
- Participate in various student-focused programs such as advisory, chapel, community meals, and clubs.
- Travel to national and regional conferences, and visit colleges to stay current on college admission trends and college admission counselor best practices, including student well-being and wayfinding.
- Commit to designing culturally responsive curricula and experiences in collaboration with our Equity and Justice Center.
- Other duties as assigned based on the needs of the department and shared responsibility therein.
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through continued professional development.
The Assistant Director of Student Guidance reports to the Director of Student Guidance and the Director of Divisions.
School Background
Founded in 1926, Wooster School is a co-educational, 5-12, college preparatory day school with an enrollment of approximately 350 students. The school is located in Danbury, Connecticut, and, by design, educates students with diverse academic abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnicities. Wooster is a member of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. While Wooster’s traditions of self-help and relationship-building have long been recognized as strengths, our more recent commitment to innovative approaches to teaching and learning is making us a leader in the independent school world. We are committed to a learner-centered environment for our students, and to exploring the full potential of competency-based and personalized teaching and learning.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wooster School hires employees of any race, color, or sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or ancestry to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
It does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, sex, (including gender identity and sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or ancestry in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
Salary & Benefits
This is an eleven-month, exempt position. Salaries are competitive with local independent schools. A competitive benefits package includes retirement, health insurance, tuition remission, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. All employees are subject to a criminal background check before any contractual offer is final.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and statement of philosophy to:
Diane Martin, Director of Divisions
diane.martin@woosterschool.org
Collaboration with Director and Assistant Director of Student Guidance to:
- Facilitate standardized testing for 9th-12th grade students, coordinate accommodations for those with learning plans, and schedule logistics for the days of testing.
- Contribute to the preparation of extensive summary reports analyzing college admission results for Wooster students.
- Co-construct and lead student, parent, faculty, and Board of Trustees education, including evening seminars, designed to assist in understanding and navigating the college admission process.
- Help coordinate college admission representative visits to campus, and help plan, organize, and execute college admission-related events on campus including the annual college fair, essay-writing workshops, and the senior college application workshop.