School Counselor -Elementary -2026-2027

Topeka Public Schools; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Topeka Public Schools is seeking a School Counselor to provide a comprehensive guidance and counseling program for students, consulting with teachers, parents, and staff, and supporting district educational programs.

The role involves counseling individual students and groups, interpreting test data, and collaborating with stakeholders to promote student growth and achievement. Knowledge of current counseling practices and district curriculum is essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in counseling from an accredited college/university.
• Current Kansas teaching license required.
• Two years’ accredited teaching experience.
• Previous counseling experience preferred.
• ESOL endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Modifies counseling to meet individual student needs
• Develops and presents structured classroom guidance sessions
• Assists with the orientation of pupils new to the district or school
• Assists in the registration and enrollment of students
• Assists in the implementation of the district assessment program
• Interprets test data to faculty and administration
• Works with students on an individual and small group basis
• Demonstrates an understanding of how students develop and learn
• Communicates high expectations to all students
• Possesses effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Collaborates with all stakeholders
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability when dealing with all stakeholders
• Clearly and effectively conveys ideas and thoughts to others
• Uses a variety of verbal, nonverbal, and media techniques
• Seeks, listens, and responds appropriately to suggestions, requests, and concerns
• Demonstrates an up-to-date and extensive knowledge of counseling and effectively communicates this understanding to students
• Effectively implements the district-adopted curriculum
• Models and facilitates higher-order thinking, problem solving, creativity, and flexibility
• Makes students aware of assessment standards and learner expectations
• Assists students in developing self-assessment skills
• Maintains up-to-date records
• Creates a positive, inviting, and safe environment
• Communicates realistic and consistent expectations for student behavior
• Recognizes and appreciates diversity and individual differences
• Demonstrates conflict resolutions skills
• Continuously improves professional skills
• Recognizes and provides for individual differences and adjusts practices accordingly
• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day
• Supports the District’s educational mission for all students and implements all Board regulations and policies in a fair and equitable manner
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign

Skills

Teaching experience

Counseling experience

ESOL endorsement

Education

Master’s Degree in counseling

Job description

Reports To:

Building Principal

Position Purpose:

The counselor provides a comprehensive guidance and counseling program for students; consults and collaborates with teachers, parents, and staff; and provides support to school and district educational programs.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in counseling from an accredited college/university

• Current Kansas teaching license required

• Two years’ accredited teaching experience

• Previous counseling experience preferred

• ESOL endorsement preferred

Physical/Emotional Requirements:

(The incumbent may be required to use the skills and abilities outlined below during any part of the working day.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to interact with staff and to meet demands from several people.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Modifies counseling to meet individual student needs

• Develops and presents structured classroom guidance sessions

• Assists with the orientation of pupils new to the district or school

• Assists in the registration and enrollment of students

• Assists in the implementation of the district assessment program

• Interprets test data to faculty and administration

• Works with students on an individual and small group basis

• Demonstrates an understanding of how students develop and learn

• Communicates high expectations to all students

• Possesses effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills

• Collaborates with all stakeholders

• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability when dealing with all stakeholders

• Clearly and effectively conveys ideas and thoughts to others

• Uses a variety of verbal, nonverbal, and media techniques

• Seeks, listens, and responds appropriately to suggestions, requests, and concerns

• Demonstrates an up-to-date and extensive knowledge of counseling and effectively communicates this understanding to students

• Effectively implements the district-adopted curriculum

• Models and facilitates higher-order thinking, problem solving, creativity, and flexibility

• Makes students aware of assessment standards and learner expectations

• Assists students in developing self-assessment skills

• Maintains up-to-date records

• Creates a positive, inviting, and safe environment

• Communicates realistic and consistent expectations for student behavior

• Recognizes and appreciates diversity and individual differences

• Demonstrates conflict resolutions skills

• Continuously improves professional skills

• Recognizes and provides for individual differences and adjusts practices accordingly

• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day

• Supports the District’s educational mission for all students and implements all Board regulations and policies in a fair and equitable manner

• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign

Terms of Employment:

10.5months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board policy on evaluation of Certified employees.