Employment Type: Full-Time, Benefits Eligible

Months Worked Per School Year: 10

Work Days/Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm, occasional after-school and weekend work

Start Date: August 2024

JOB SUMMARY

Paideia is a preK-12 college preparatory school of over 1000 students in the Emory University

area of Atlanta; the elementary school enrolls 350 students in grades K-6. The elementary

program includes twelve full-day, self-contained classrooms. There are two teachers in each

class of twenty-six to twenty-eight children. Teachers work together as lead teacher and

assistant or as two co-lead teachers.

Curriculum for the classroom is built around a central subject and is self-contained. The

self-contained classroom—one in which children spend most of their academic time in one

room rather than moving about the school for different disciplines—puts children, rather than

discrete subjects, at the center of focus. Students develop a strong bond with their

teachers and classmates which provides for a secure and nurturing classroom climate.

Most of our classrooms are multi-age, meaning that the age range of the children spans one

and a half to two years or the equivalent of two grades. This arrangement allows for both

academic and social flexibility.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is a mental health counselor for students aged 9-12. In collaboration with the

elementary principal, assistant principal, learning specialists, and current counselor, the person

would be responsible for:

• Recognizing and responding to student mental health needs
• Assist students and families with seeking resources
• Talking with teachers and families about how to best support elementary

Students

• Communicating with parents and student support team
• Communicating and meeting with teachers about individual students,
• Facilitating small discussion groups with students,
• Supporting and teaching Social Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning, our social-emotional learning curriculum,
• Planning and hosting parent education meetings on mental health 
• Update and maintain confidential student records and note-keeping

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Knowledge of best practices for supporting mental health in 5-12 year-olds

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

At least 2-4 years of experience working with elementary-aged students on social and

emotional health. School experience is preferred. BA is required, MA in counseling, school

counseling, or a psychology-related field is preferred.  Licensure in school counseling, professional counseling is preferred but not required. 

APPLICATION NOTES

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references via our online application.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. A benefits package is offered for benefits-eligible positions. The Paideia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, our focus on both social and emotional learning with rigorous academic offerings and opportunities for extra curricular learning, please visit our website at www.paideiaschool.org.

About The Paideia School

Paideia is a K-12 college preparatory school of 999 students in the Emory University area of Atlanta; the elementary school enrolls 333 students. The elementary program includes twelve full-day, self-contained classrooms grades K-6. There are two teachers in each class of twenty-six to twenty-eight children. Teachers work together as lead teacher and assistant or as two co-lead teachers. Other than classes with specialists including art, music, physical education, and library, children remain with their own teachers throughout the day. We believe the constellation of relative strengths and weaknesses among any group of students can differ widely; teachers decide when and how to offer extra help, when and where to augment a task to provide extra challenge, and when and why to take a step back to allow a child to process information. Social development is an integral part of a child’s maturation. Teachers help children learn how to work together cooperatively and effectively.

Connections working at The Paideia School