4th 8th Grade School Counselor

4th-8th Grade School Counselor

The Philadelphia School (TPS) is a Preschool - Grade 8 progressive independent school located in Philadelphia Pennsylvania with an enrollment of approximately 420 students. Since our founding in 1972 The Philadelphia School has grown in size complexity and diversity. This growth has been rooted firmly in the progressive values with which our founders began: immersive learning responsive pedagogy and meaningful engagement with the world.

Position Summary:

The Philadelphia School is seeking a warm and dynamic full-time School Counselor to support the social emotional and academic development of students in grades 4 through 8. The ideal candidate will have experience working in an elementary or middle school providing counseling services as well as implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. One unique aspect of this role is that the counselor will co-teach our sexuality curriculum to students in the Junior Unit (4th and 5th grade) and Middle School (6th-8th grade).

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide short term goal-focused supportive counseling for individuals and groups of students
• Plan and deliver Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons within a responsive classroom framework that strengthen students intra- and inter-personal skills such as conflict resolution self-care and boundary setting
• Co-teach sexuality education
• Engage in ongoing collaboration and consultation with a multi-disciplinary team including the school psychologist school counselor administrators learning specialists teachers and other professionals
• Collaborate with teachers to increase student engagement and wellness
• Consult with caregivers to strengthen school-home partnerships
• Respond professionally and effectively to crisis situations that may involve individual students (e.g. suspected abuse reports of self-harm) or groups of students (e.g. frightening event in the news loss of community member)
• Document student and parent interactions meetings and communications
• Provide psycho-education to faculty and families
• Engage in professional development to maintain current knowledge

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in school counseling social work or related field with significant counseling experience required; 5-year minimum preferred
• Licensure and/or certification in school counseling social work or related field required
• Knowledge of and experience with developmental social emotional and cognitive needs of students in late childhood and early adolescence
• Ability to work in a collegial and highly collaborative environment
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders like teachers caregivers administrators moving forward a plan for a student or students
• Ability to respond to acute emergent situations with calm ease and tact
• Familiarity or experience with Responsive Classroom and restorative justice practices preferred
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills across a range of audiences
• Commitment to a progressive dynamic and diverse school community
• Sensitivity cultural competence and good judgment

Compensation: Range for this full-time school-year position is $70-80k depending on experience.

Application Information:

Qualified candidates should visit our website and click on Job Opportunities under Quick Links. For full consideration please provide a cover letter tailored specifically to your interest in and alignment with our school program resume and contact information with three professional references.

The Philadelphia School welcomes and celebrates diversity in our student body and in our faculty and is committed to providing an education for all of our children that instills in them a respect understanding and appreciation for the many races cultures religions family structures and ethnicities that make up our complex and diverse world.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Philadelphia School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws to ensure fair treatment of all applicants and employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability please contact our Human Resources department at