School Background

Founded in 1926, Wooster School, 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. 

Candidate Description

Wooster School seeks a candidate with a can-do disposition who is positive and flexible in the myriad ways a small independent school necessitates. A thorough understanding of selective college admissions processes and trends as they relate to financial aid, the visual and performing arts, and athletics is a must, and experience as a classroom teacher is a bonus, but not a requirement. We also value those who are curious about how the changing landscape of higher education may change our responsibilities as 5-12 educators in the future.  Candidates must be willing to be flexible with evening commitments as needed. A Bachelor's degree is required, and a Master's degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the Caseload of Juniors and Seniors

• Manage a caseload of approximately 30-35 juniors and 30-35 seniors to provide individualized and comprehensive support focused on helping students enroll in a great-fit college.
• Develop college lists to meet student (and family) needs and expectations, and advise students on the best potential college fit as linked to their academic, athletic, artistic, and family outlook.
• Review, edit, and support the development and writing of resumes, college essays, and scholarship applications.
• Write a counselor letter of recommendation for each senior applying to college.
• Coordinate and co-teach our Junior College Guidance Seminar and Senior College Guidance Seminar courses, which are essential to the college process and wayfinding experience at Wooster School.
• Teaching of elective offerings in specific areas of expertise or interest is also encouraged.

Collaboration with the Director of Student Guidance

• 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, as well as opportunities to solicit parent feedback throughout the 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.
• Travel with and co-chaperone the Spring/Summer college tour.
• Shared responsibility for and collaboration on other departmental needs as assigned, such as direct or shared coordination of the School Profile. 

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 school guidance and student support, 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. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through continued professional development. 

The Associate Director of Student Guidance reports to the Director of Student Guidance and the Director of Divisions. 

About Wooster School

Founded in 1926, Wooster School, 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 are 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. Please visit our website at www.woosterschool.org to learn more.

Connections working at Wooster School