Grades 3 to 5 School Counselor (Lawrence)

TrulyHired; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Schools of Brookline are seeking a Grade 3-5 School Counselor to support students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development through SEL instruction, individual and group counseling, and collaboration with families and staff.

You will lead MTSS activities, support transitions between grades, and act as a liaison among students, families, and school personnel to promote an inclusive and responsive learning environment.

Qualifications

• Massachusetts DESE certification as a School Counselor (Guidance Counselor) or related role.
• Experience with elementary-aged students (grades 3-5) and knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL), school-based counseling, and evidence-based interventions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate SEL lessons promoting emotional regulation and belonging.
• Provide individual and small-group counseling for social, emotional, behavioral, and school adjustment needs.
• Develop targeted small-group interventions addressing friendship, regulation, coping, and executive functioning.
• Provide crisis intervention and short-term counseling as needed.
• Assist with transitions between grades and enrollment of new students.
• Collaborate with teachers and families to support student success and well-being.
• Participate in MTSS and school-based student support meetings (SIT).

Skills

Communication

Consultation

MTSS coordination

Culturally responsive practice

Education

Massachusetts DESE School Counselor certification

Experience with elementary students

Job description

Job Description

The Grades 3-5 School Counselor will support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development of students while advancing a shared understanding of the diverse and evolving needs of the school community. The School Counselor will provide developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction, individual and small-group counseling, and consultation to students, families, and staff.

The School Counselor will lead whole-class SEL lessons, facilitate targeted small-group interventions, support students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges, assist with the transition and enrollment of new students, and collaborate with teachers and families to promote student success. The School Counselor will also participate in school-based student support teams and contribute to the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).

The School Counselor will work primarily with students in grades 3-5 and collaborate closely with the school counselors serving grades K-2 and 6-8, the school adjustment counselor/social worker, school psychologist, school nurse, classroom teachers, and school-based administrators to ensure coordinated and comprehensive student support.

Responsibilities and Duties

Social-Emotional Learning and Student Support

• Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate whole-class SEL lessons that promote emotional regulation, positive relationships, problem-solving, responsible decision-making, and a sense of belonging.
• Provide individual and small-group counseling to support students' social, emotional, behavioral, and school adjustment needs.
• Develop and facilitate targeted small-group interventions addressing areas such as friendship skills, emotional regulation, coping strategies, conflict resolution, and executive functioning.
• Provide crisis intervention and short-term counseling support to students experiencing emotional or behavioral distress.
• Support students in developing self-awareness, self-advocacy, independence, and effective coping and problem-solving skills.
• Assist students with transitions, including adjustment to a new school, movement between grade levels, and preparation for middle school.

Collaboration and Consultation

• Consult with classroom teachers and other school staff to identify student needs and develop strategies that support student engagement, behavior, and social-emotional development.
• Collaborate with parents and caregivers to build partnerships that support students' learning, attendance, behavior, and overall well-being.
• Serve as a liaison among students, families, school staff, community agencies, and outside clinicians, as appropriate.
• Help families understand school programs, available supports, and community resources.
• Assist families in accessing appropriate community-based mental health and social services when needed.
• Participate in clinical team meetings, Student Intervention Team (SIT) meetings, and other school-based student support meetings.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support consistent approaches to SEL instruction, student support, and transitions across grade levels.

MTSS and Student Support Planning

• Contribute to the implementation of MTSS by supporting universal SEL instruction (Tier 1), targeted small-group interventions (Tier 2), and individualized student supports (Tier 3), as appropriate.
• Collaborate with educators and clinical staff to identify students who may benefit from additional social-emotional or behavioral supports.
• Use student data, observations, and progress monitoring to inform interventions and evaluate student response to support.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of individualized student support plans.
• Serve as the Section 504 Coordinator for students in grades 3-5, including facilitating eligibility and plan meetings, coordinating accommodations, and monitoring implementation.

School-Based Responsibilities

• Support the enrollment, orientation, and transition of new students entering grades 3-5.
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive school environment that fosters positive relationships and student belonging.
• Collaborate with school staff on preventative approaches to student behavior, peer relationships, and conflict resolution.
• Participate in relevant professional development, school improvement initiatives, and regular staff meetings.
• Maintain appropriate student records and documentation in accordance with district procedures and applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the principal or district administration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Massachusetts DESE certification as a School Counselor (Guidance Counselor) or School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.
• Experience working with elementary-aged students, particularly students in grades 3-5.
• Knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, school-based counseling, and evidence-based interventions.
• Experience delivering classroom SEL instruction and facilitating small-group counseling interventions.
• Familiarity with MTSS, Section 504, and collaborative school-based student support processes.
• Strong consultation, communication, and relationship-building skills with students, families, and educators.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practices, equity, inclusion, and supporting students with diverse learning and social-emotional needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Public Schools of Brookline is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute through their teaching or practice to the diversity and excellence of the PSB community.

The Public Schools of Brookline is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Welcome to ATX Learning

The Public Schools of Brookline provide education to PreK through Grade 12 students in eight elementary schools , one comprehensive high school, and three Early Childhood Education sites with vision that guides education in all our schools. Brookline provides an extraordinary education for every child. Each child's unique path to achievement is supported in academically exciting and programmatically rich environments. A dynamic, diverse community of teaching professionals works collaboratively, innovating and inspiring each other and their students. Staff gets to know students intellectually, developmentally and culturally. Students are encouraged to question and challenge ideas and participate as active citizens. Schools use a variety of assessments to get the fullest picture of student learning and growth over time. These data are shared regularly with the community, and they form the base line how we understand and improve student, teacher and administrator performance. Parents are partners with the schools in supporting their children's education, and schools communicate effectively so that parents are confident of the response to their child's circumstances and needs. The community, well informed and involved in the schools, supports these efforts that continue a tradition of challenging ourselves to do better, efforts that ensure the enduring value of a Brookline education.