Home School Communicator (Paxton Keeley Elementary) 2026-27

Home School Communicator

The Home School Communicator serves as a liaison between home, school, and community to support student success and family engagement. The Home School Communicator works collaboratively with students, families, school staff, and community agencies to identify barriers to learning, connect families with resources, advocate for student and family needs, and promote positive relationships that support academic achievement, attendance, behavior, and overall well-being.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Serve as a liaison between students, families, the school, and community partners to promote communication, collaboration, and student success.
• Build positive relationships with students and families through outreach, home visits when appropriate, and ongoing support.
• Advocate for students and families by helping them navigate school systems, access services, and overcome barriers to attendance, engagement, academic achievement, behavior, and well-being.
• Connect students and families with school-based and community resources, including social, health, mental health, housing, food, and other wraparound supports.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, teachers, social workers, and community agencies to coordinate services and support student and family needs.
• Promote family engagement in school activities, programs, and initiatives that support student success.
• Support attendance improvement efforts through outreach, problem-solving, and follow-up with students and families.
• Utilize restorative practices to build relationships, resolve conflicts, repair harm, and strengthen students' connection to the school community.
• Support the district's commitment to equity by identifying and addressing barriers that disproportionately impact student groups and advocating for fair and inclusive practices that improve student outcomes.
• Facilitate restorative conversations, student mediations, and positive behavior support strategies to promote student engagement and belonging.
• Assist with student supervision, transitions between school levels, mentoring programs, intervention efforts, and other initiatives that support student achievement.
• Assist families with educational documentation, meetings, conferences, and student support plans as needed.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and data related to student and family support services.
• Attend required meetings, professional development, and training related to student support, family engagement, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed practices, and restorative practices.
• Successfully complete and maintain district-approved Safe Crisis Management (SCM) certification and utilize approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• When necessary and in accordance with district policy and training, assist with approved physical safety interventions to prevent imminent harm to a student or others.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the school to foster positive relationships, support student safety, and contribute to a positive school climate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public School District.

District Expectations:

All employees of the District are expected to adhere to the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain appropriate certification and competencies necessary for the position, and demonstrate the values of the district at all times. For information on policies, regulations and values, visit

Reporting Relationships:

Reports To: Building Principal with oversight by the Chief Equity Officer

Supervises: None

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Valid Missouri Substitute Certificate or ability to obtain one.
• Experience working with children.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Education, or a related field.
• Experience serving as a liaison between families, schools, and community agencies.
• Experience connecting students and families with resources and support services.
• Professional and/or lived experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.

ADA Requirements:

Language: Read, analyze and interpret documents such as professional journals and government guidance and regulations; Write reports, complete forms and correspond with business and community partners; Speak effectively with other staff members, volunteers, and members of the business and civic community; Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and listening skills; Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills. These are essential functions of the job.

Computation: Add, subtract, multiply, divide and compute percentages using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; Demonstrate the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to resolve complex situations. These are essential functions of the job.

Reasoning: Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; Prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines; Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, timeliness, and logic. These are essential functions of the job.

Technology: This position requires basic skills in the use of computers and instructional technology; Adhere to all District policies and procedures regarding technology use. These are essential functions of the job.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position an employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear; The employee is frequently required to move about and use fingers and controls; The employee is occasionally required to reach, bend, and lift and carry up to ten pounds; Close vision ability to look at a computer screen for long periods of time is required; The employee must be able to regularly travel to businesses, offices, and events throughout the city of Columbia. These are essential functions of the job.

Attendance: Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position; Occasional attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings and events is required. These are essential functions of the job.

Environmental conditions: The work environment is consistent with a typical office environment; Hold meetings with Columbia business leaders throughout the city in their offices, organization headquarters, and other civic venues as required. These are essential functions of the job.

Prospective and current employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact human resources to discuss reasonable accommodations to perform the essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer