Summary of the Position: Reporting to the Lower School Division Director, the Lower School Counselor is responsible for the oversight of the Lower School counseling program and for ensuring that the social-emotional needs of Lower School students are met.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Displays interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with all constituencies of the school
• Meets with individual students and small groups of students to address social-emotional needs
• Serves as a resource to Lower School faculty, staff, parents, and students for consultation and referrals for outside services
• Manages the list of outside service providers
• Coordinates annual ERB testing for the Lower School
• Provides analysis of ERB scores to faculty and parents
• Reviews all conference reports and evaluations
• Finalizes student permanent records at the end of each school year
• Teaches Second Step curriculum (including personal safety units) to Lower School students on a bi-weekly basis 
• Leads Responsive Classroom Morning Meetings in classrooms periodically
• Attends faculty and grade level/team meetings 
• Leads professional development sessions about topics related to social-emotional development 
• Collaborates with the Learning Specialist to help meet the needs of students that require special accommodations
• Conducts classroom observations of students who need additional social-emotional support
• Communicates proactively with parents about work with students both through a weekly newsletter and individual communication (when applicable)
• Participates in parent conferences as needed
• Assists with service learning projects for the Lower School division 
• Assists with the transition of students from Lower School to Middle School
• Meets with new students in Grades 1-5 to support their transition to MA
• Acts as a member of the Lower School Student, Parent, and Faculty Support Team
• Provides operational support as needed

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or certificate in school counseling
• Experience in school counseling preferred
• Responsive Classroom training preferred
• Experience working with young children preferred

Traits:

• Ability to build rapport and trust with students, faculty, staff, and parents
• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills with all internal and external constituents of the school
• Interacts with others in a warm and friendly manner
• Highly organized
• Flexible and adaptable
• Shows initiative and self-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Possesses a deep understanding of clinical counseling as applicable to children
• Demonstrates a strong interest in professional development
• Maintains strict confidentiality

About The Montgomery Academy

The Montgomery Academy is an independent, K-12, day school located in Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery Academy develops leaders committed to honor, scholarship, service and the pursuit of excellence.

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