Wellness Teacher

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Our Multi-Tier Systems Support (MTSS) Team serves all students, including across all disabilities (mild, moderate, and severe), through an innovative approach that includes coaching and deep partnership with our general education partners, integrated special education (ISE) partners, school leaders, and related service providers. To best serve our Rocketeers and meet their needs, we work to serve students across all areas of need: academic, social-emotional, and behavior.

Position Summary: Based in San Jose, CA and reporting to the Wellness Team Manager, the Wellness Teacher will provide related mental health services to general education students, as well as providing consultation and coaching to school leaders and teachers regarding issues of trauma, mental health, behavior, and community resources. The Wellness Teacher will serve one site which may include schools in San Jose, Redwood City, Concord, or Antioch. The Wellness Teacher will partner closely with school psychologists, behavior intervention specialists, special education case managers, school leaders, general education teachers and program specialists to conduct mental health assessments, provide direct services, and support with ongoing implementation and coaching of strategies to help students succeed in their classrooms. The Wellness Teacher may also be involved in crisis-level support and the creation of safety plans for students with more significant safety concerns, as well as delivering professional development to Rocketship staff.

This position requires previous training and experience working with students with emotional and behavioral needs. It requires a commitment to serving students and a desire to think critically and creatively about how to support challenging behaviors in the general education classroom setting.

Essential Functions

• Create plans and goals for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for students at Tiers 1 and 2 on the MTSS system of Care continuum (Social Skills Groups, 1:1 Check-Ins, other).
• Monitor student progress toward IEP goal attainment (as applicable).
• Provide culturally appropriate and sensitive school-based social-emotional and behavioral services in the forms of individual intervention (CICO, wellness check-ins, etc.), group intervention (social skills groups, lunch bunches, targeted behavior skills groups) family support, and/or crisis intervention.
• Serve as the wellness professional on the PBIS Team. Play an active role in ensuring the team uses data to create and address plans to further the campus around positive behavior incentive systems.
• Collaborate with and be a part of any coordinated meetings (IEP meetings for students on caseload, SST meetings, MTSS meetings) as the wellness professional. (as applicable)
• Provide consultation with parents, teachers, and other appropriate staff regarding the student’s program and any adaptations/materials needed to facilitate improved performance in the classroom or at home.
• Lead parent training to teach skills in regards to supporting a student’s social-emotional learning, behavioral supports, and overall wellness.
• Serve as a resource in regards to social-emotional learning, wellness, crisis and de-escalation, and trauma informed practices. Provide professional development and in-the-moment-coaching to staff around these practices.
• Adhere to IDEA timelines and California Education Code compliance law (as applicable).
• Maintain documentation for student services provided in compliance with the state licensing board and professional code of ethics (as applicable).
• Commitment to engaging in professional development activities such as training, continuing education seminars, conferences, and reviewing up-to-date material, etc. as related to intervention strategies and support for the school community.
• Maintain a close working relationship with other members of the Network Support ISE Team (NeST—Rocketship’s centralized office that operates in support of its schools and regions) to ensure exchange of best practices, coordination of efforts, and general support for the Integrated Special Education department.
• Ensure the Wellness Team is viewed as positive supports to the organization’s mission that are fully aligned with Rocketship’s Core Characteristics (Innovation, Pursuit of Excellence, Authenticity, Community, and Tenacity), and not as bureaucratic obstacles to serving the needs of the students.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s or Higher in psychology, sociology, social work, education, or other related field
• Highly Preferred: Experience in elementary schools, working with students with a range of disabilities (learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, autism, etc.)
• Commitment to Rocketship’s special education inclusion model and overall mission to close the achievement gap within our lifetime
• Familiarity with socio-emotional learning competencies, trauma informed education practices, multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS), and restorative practices a plus
• Strong organizational skills as demonstrated by the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks
• Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment Ability to be flexible and adaptive in a work environment that is still evolving
• Perform a variety of specialized and responsible tasks: maintain records, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, other school personnel, meet schedule and compliance deadlines
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license: willingness to provide own transportation in conduct of work assignments as you will be required to travel from site to site to work with students and faculty at all sites (mileage reimbursed)

Additional Details

• The Wellness Teacher position will be on the site-based staff calendar, which includes paid time off for holidays and traditional school breaks.
• Salary is competitive for the area based on education and experience.
• Rocketship provides a competitive benefits package including a 403(b) retirement program, flexible spending account (FSA), medical/dental benefits, partial reimbursement for mileage and phone, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.