School Psychologist, (1 position)

The mission of Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los Angeles (CWCLA) is to provide a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students in the heart of Los Angeles with an intellectually challenging, experiential learning environment that develops each individual student's confidence, potential, and individual responsibility as citizens of the world in which we live.  CWCLA is includes three high-performing, community-based elementary schools: CWC Hollywood (opened in September 2010); CWC Silver Lake (opened in August 2012); and CWC Mar Vista (opened in August 2013). In the Fall of 2014, across all three of our campuses, we will enroll over 900 students in grades K- 5.

Our Schools

• Prepare students to become citizens of the world in an ever-changing future
• Promote academic rigor and experiential learning to support and develop children’s natural intellectual curiosity
• Embrace a constructivist, project-based learning approach
• Develop each child’s potential to live as a learner, both in school and out
• Reflect, welcome and celebrate the community’s diversity
• Strengthen the bonds among members of the school community and beyond

Our Core Values

Excellence We demand lasting quality.

Diversity We are better and stronger because of our differences.

Authenticity We are our true selves in this work, and we are candid.

Community We care deeply about people.  We share and build partnerships.  We celebrate, laugh, and seek joy, even in the tough times.

Change We welcome the unknown, embracing the unexpected and new.  We adapt to meet the ever-changing times.  We find new ways.

CWC School Psychologist is an experienced and innovative caregiver who is energized by CWC’s unique charter school environment. School Psychologist is expected to compliment CWC’s high-quality, rigorous and engaging academic program and must have a passion for working in a socio-economic, racial, and culturally diverse school setting. This position will support students across our network of schools and work closely with the Student Success Teams.

Responsibilities

• Identifying the developmental, learning, and behavioral needs of a diverse student population
• Collaborating with teaching staff to determine the best setting to meet students’ needs (i.e., individual counseling, IEP services, social skill development groups, mentoring classes), and meeting with faculty and staff on an ongoing basis to help measure progress and discuss strategies for students requiring support services
• Writing session notes, progress reports and IEP goals for students with mandated school counseling services
• Supporting students in the earliest grades as they build social skills and develop the tools for appropriate emotional management
• Regularly updating leaders, teachers and parents on student progress
• Completing reports as may be required by federal, state, or local agencies, laws, and regulations
• Completing diagnostic assessments to identify students’ needs and making referrals as appropriate
• Consulting with appropriate professional staff, external agencies and other organizations as appropriate based on students’ needs
• Serving as a member of school-based teams to support students and provide confidential guidance to faculty and staff
• Counseling students individually and in groups
• Contributing as needed in the development and/or implementation of the school’s social and emotional development and growth curriculum
• Maintaining in a secure location up-to-date confidential files on every student who receives counseling
• Interviewing, collaborating and communicating with families as appropriate
• Completing confidential written reports of all cases and meetings

Staff and reporting relationships

The School Psychologist will report to the Principal and Assistant Principal of the School, and work collaboratively with the Student Success Teams at each campus.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Masters or above in psychology
• Certification and License to practice school psychology in the State of California, required
• Minimum of two years experience counseling in relevant elementary grades
• Experience working in a socio-economic, racial and culturally diverse setting.
• Ability to effectively mange and counsel both small and large groups of students
• An exhibited ability to work with children in a caring and respectful manner in order to support a joyful, caring environment where instructional time includes community building, conflict resolution, skill-building, and empowering students to be peacemakers and agents for positive social change 
• Fluency in a second language (ideally Spanish or Korean) is preferred.

 Skill/trait

• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and a can-do attitude
• Personally invested in supporting student’s social emotional
• Belief and willingness to ensure that all students can learn and achieve at high levels
• Strong communicator in verbally and in writing, and able to do so to a diverse audience.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including English language learners and students with special needs