NISER School Counselor Residency Program (SCRP)

This residency program is a partnership between the North Inland Special Education Region (NISER) Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), Julian Union High School District (JUHSD), Ramona Unified School District (RUSD), and the San Diego County Office of Education - Student Wellness and School Culture department.

While earning a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling, resident counselors work alongside an experienced mentor counselor for one school year. During the residency, counselors participate in online coursework through PLNU, receive professional development support, and benefit from just-in-time applied learning. This year-long experience provides the resident counselor a deep understanding of the school counselor profession prior to completing their credential. Our residents will also receive a $25,000 stipend and gain priority consideration for job interviews upon successful completion of the residency program.

Mentors

As a Mentor Counselor, you will guide a School Counselor Resident through a full year of hands-on, experiential learning. Residents work alongside you each school day while completing credential coursework. Over the course of the year, they gradually step into full counseling responsibilities — applying their coursework to real practice with your support and expertise. 

In order to best support our resident counselors, NISER is committed to recruiting mentors who:

• Possess a Clear Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling
• Have at least three years of successful school counseling experience
• Receive their site leader’s recommendation based on demonstrated excellence in counseling, a growth mindset, receptiveness to feedback, and a commitment to equity and justice
• Complete the Mentor Leadership Development Institute prior to being paired with a resident

Perks of being a mentor:

• $3,500 at the completion of the Residency Leadership Development
  Institute (January - April 2027)
• $1,500 stipend per semester with a resident ($3,000/year)
• An extra counselor-in-training supporting you all year
• Shared responsibilities as residents gradually take on counseling tasks
• A professional network of colleagues across the region
• Ongoing professional development and coaching training
• Opportunity to shape the next generation of school counselors
   

NISER is currently recruiting mentor counselors who are currently employed with RUSD and JUHSD. For more information and an opportunity to apply, please contact Audrey Weed (Audrey.weed@sdcoe.net) or Kerri Bjork (kbjork@rusd.net) or complete the following interest survey. 

Interest Survey