Elementary School Counselor

MEMSPA; Michigan; On-site; USD 47,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Fitzgerald Public Schools is seeking an Elementary School Counselor at Mound Park Upper Elementary School for the 2026-2027 year. The role involves delivering individual and group counseling, implementing SEL and trauma-informed practices, and promoting positive behavior; salary is based on the district contract.

The candidate will provide guidance for personal and academic planning, engage with families, and coordinate with administrators to support student achievement and climate.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Guidance and Counseling Endorsement (NT) or School Counselor License.
• Master's degree in guidance and counseling is required.
• Experience as a teacher or school counselor is preferred.
• Demonstrated punctuality and reliability in reporting to work.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling and guidance on personal, academic, and behavioral issues.
• Deliver positive behavior interventions and support strategies for at‑risk students.
• Recognize student achievements and reinforce positive behaviors.
• Collaborate with administrators and behavior specialists to model practices and support teachers.
• Conduct conflict resolution and peer mediation sessions.
• Review behavior referrals and data reports (SWIS).
• Monitor and communicate student academic and behavior progress with families and staff.
• Mentor students through transitions between grades and programs.
• Plan and schedule student activities and supports.
• Engage families and community partners to support student achievement and climate.
• Schedule and participate in parent conferences regarding performance and attendance.
• Assist in enrollment, withdrawals, and transfers.

Skills

Counseling

Group counseling

Conflict resolution

Trauma-informed practices

SEL knowledge

Education

Master's degree in guidance and counseling

Michigan Teaching Certificate / School Counselor License

Job description

Deadline: January 4, 2027
District/Organization: Fitzgerald Public Schools
Position/Type: Teacher, full time
Salary: $46,760 - $94,451

NOTICE OF OPENING: Elementary School Counselor
LOCATION: Mound Park Upper Elementary School
WORK YEAR: 2026-2027 School Year
SALARY: Salary based on FEA contract

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with Guidance and Counseling Endorsement (NT) or School Counselor License
• Master's degree in guidance and counseling;
• Experience as a teacher or school counselor preferred;
• Ability and proven record to report to work on a regular and punctual basis
• Must be able to follow oral and written directions;
• Ability to establish effective professional relationships with staff, students and the community;
• Ability to maintain effective classroom management strategies.
• Awareness of, sensitivity to, and knowledge in facilitating the personal and educational goals of a multicultural student population.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in counseling work with a variety of racial/ethnic groups and diverse populations.
• Knowledge of growth and development stages of children and adolescents.
• Deep knowledge of SEL competencies, research, curriculum, strategies, and learning and instruction frameworks.
• Experience working with a variety of children, which may include those who display challenging behaviors related to a social-emotional disability, autism spectrum disorder, and/or trauma.
• Knowledge of positive behavioral supports, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience in providing outreach to diverse communities to garner support and resources to support student achievement, social skill and character development inside and outside of school.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individual and group counseling and guidance relative to personal problems, academic planning, conflicts between students, classroom problems, and any other school related problems originating on/off campus, traveling to/from school, or related to either curricular or extracurricular activities;
• Promote highly specialized positive behavior interventions in which "at-risk" students thrive: behavior instruction that is explicit, intensive, accelerated, and provides ample practice
• Provide recognition of a variety of student accomplishments and positive behaviors
• Work cooperatively with building administrator and behavior specialist to promote positive student behavior by providing professional development that targets research, strategies, and modeling of practices to support teachers in implementing positive behavior support in their classrooms
• Conduct conflict resolution and peer mediation sessions
• Review behavior referrals and SWIS data reports
• Monitor and communicate student academic and behavior progress (i.e. progress reports, home phone calls, email communication, etc.);
• Mentor students with transitions from one grade level to another;
• Program and schedule students;
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve District, building, departmental, and/or grade-level goals
• Design opportunities to empower students, staff, and parents to be integrally involved in all aspects of the school’s culture and climate
• Foster community relationships and partnerships that support student achievement
• Conduct parent conferences regarding student performance, attendance and behavior;
• Assist in enrollment, dropping and transfer of students;
• Maintain files and reports as it pertains to student academic progress;
• Follow all confidentiality and ethical guidelines;
• Other duties as assigned by the building principal.