Elementary School Counselor

Michigan Association of School Boards; Michigan; On-site; USD 47,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Fitzgerald Public Schools is seeking an Elementary School Counselor to join our district team. The counselor will provide individual and group guidance, support academic and social-emotional development, and collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to promote a positive school climate.

The role requires a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with counseling endorsement or School Counselor License, along with a Master's degree in guidance and counseling.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in guidance and counseling or higher is required.
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with guidance and counseling endorsement (NT) or School Counselor License.
• Experience as a teacher or school counselor is preferred.
• Ability to report to work regularly and punctually.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Strong ability to build relationships with staff, students, and community.
• Knowledge of SEL competencies, trauma-informed practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling for personal, academic, and behavioral concerns.
• Promote positive behavior interventions to support at-risk students.
• Conduct parent conferences and collaborate with staff on student progress.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical guidelines in all activities.
• Coordinate with administrators and specialists to support student success.
• Engage in school-wide initiatives to strengthen climate and culture.

Skills

Counseling

Student support

Conflict resolution

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in guidance and counseling

Michigan teaching certificate with guidance/counseling endorsement or 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.