Job Description:

The Lower and Middle School counselor builds relationships with students, parents, faculty, and the greater community to support the social and emotional needs of students. As a member of the St. Mary’s Academy community, the counselor embraces the school’s mission and the four Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect. Skillful communication skills are essential in this position and involve timely contact of parents, teachers, and students as situations dictate; a keen capacity to handle difficult conversation; attendance at select parent-teacher conferences; and support of admission and retention of students. Integral to this role is a capacity to maintain confidentiality while ensuring essential information is shared to support students’ needs. Active participation in the Association of Independent Schools counselor consultation group is expected. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: Please note that this is an additional position created in support of the school. The new counselor will partner with the current Lower and Middle School counselor, and with the High School counselor, to most effectively support our students, parents and faculty.

Cross-Divisional Responsibilities (Pre-K through 8):

• Provide counseling sessions for individuals or small groups of students to promote resolution of social, academic, extracurricular, and family concerns.
• Consult with parents to hear their concerns; brainstorm effective communication, and support strategies with their children; obtain permission to counsel their students; and share information, recommendations, and referral resources.
• Provide in-the-moment counseling sessions to students experiencing emotional dysregulation or distress.
• Attend grade level team, faculty, and student support accommodation meetings.
• Observe students in class and provide feedback and recommendations to parents and teachers regarding student behavioral health needs.
• Develop, schedule, and/or lead special programs, activities, and classes that address the following areas, among others: age appropriate prosocial peer interactions, leadership, coping skills, and inclusivity.
• Organize and facilitate psychoeducational groups for students.
• Attend professional development sessions with faculty.
• Integrate a DEI-informed perspective into all interactions with students, parents and teachers.
• With therapists, parents, and teachers, co-develop and monitor student behavior plans.
• Interpret testing data from outside sources including a variety of psycho-educational testing, medical reports, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit, including recess, lunch, carline and others. Accompany field trips, both day trips and overnight trips. Attend prayer services, Masses and assemblies to establish relationships and gain knowledge and understanding of SMA community life.

Specific to the Mentoring Program (Cross-Divisional Lower and Middle  

The Mentoring program partners Middle School 7th- and 8th-graders with Lower School students to help the older students develop confidence, communication skills, and maturity, while helping the younger students develop emotional regulation and prosocial skills, and a sense of belonging. Through creative, hands-on activities as well as conversations, the students work together to share interests, form friendships, and strengthen community ties. Responsibilities will include:

• Develop curriculum and teach mentorship skills to 7th- and 8th-grade students. Include a focus on integrating our four Loretto School Values.
• Coordinate with Middle School administration and faculty to identify and recruit potential mentors, obtain parent permission, and schedule activities.
• Coordinate with Lower School teachers to identify participants, obtain parent permission, and schedule activities.
• Encourage Lower School participants to utilize what they are learning during mentoring sessions into their daily peer interactions.
• Support recruitment, retention, and academic and social-emotional needs of students.

Specific to Lower School (Pre-K to 5)

• Teach the social emotional curriculum, Second Step, regularly in each classroom.
• Coordinate and co-teach the Introduction to Puberty Lessons for 5th-grade students.

Specific to Middle School (6-8):

• Research, develop, and update social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons in collaboration with the Middle School administration, faculty, and DEI coordinator. Support the Middle School advisory program by identifying areas of need, and creating, facilitating, and co-facilitating SEL lessons.
• Participate in and support the Compass Circle program as we continue faculty circles and implement student circles.
• Organize speakers, resources applicable in advisory and other classes, and pertinent measurement tools to gauge community well-being.

Shall we specify that we are talking about two aspects of the Mentoring Program, matching older boys with younger boys, and older girls with younger girls?

I think we are good as we talk about boys and girls in the document

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Master’s degree in counseling, psychology or social work from an accredited college or university.
• Some background or experience in an educational setting.
• Communication skills that include clear written materials and excellent verbal abilities with both individuals and groups.
• Training and experience conducting risk assessments and crisis intervention.
• Training, experience, and a commitment to Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist pedagogy.
• A sense of resonance with the St. Mary’s Academy mission.