The Brimmer and May School, an all-gender day school in Chestnut Hill, MA, is seeking a full-time Lower and Middle School Counselor beginning in August 2023 to provide guidance to individual students and consult with parents, teachers, and administrators regarding the student social/emotional needs of 250 students in grades PK-8. The person in this position will also oversee the Wellness programming in grades PK-8, teach Growth Education (once a week wellness class in grades 6 and 7) and serve on the Student Support Teams in the Lower and Middle Schools. The person in this position works collaboratively with the Lower and Middle School Heads, the divisional Assistant Head/Dean of Students, and the Directors of Academic Services. This is a 10-month position.
General Responsibilities also include excellent written and oral communication skills and attention to detail, ?punctuality, dependability, and adherence to all personal policies, procedures, and rules contained in the Brimmer and May Faculty and Staff Handbooks.
Essential Functions:
Serve as a resource to the community on early childhood and adolescent issues
Work with the Middle and Lower School faculty to promote a positive emotional and academic climate in the school
Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities to meet student needs
Assist students, individually or in groups, with developing academic and emotional/social skills, goals, and plans as assigned by the division heads
Collaborate with parents and faculty to assist students with modified educational goals
Provide individual counseling to students with identified concerns and needs
Follow up on referrals from teachers as assigned by the Division Heads
Accurately and appropriately use assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services
Meet regularly with teachers to discuss students’ progress in school and any concerns that they may have regarding classroom behavior or progress toward academic goals
Supports students when social/emotional matters are present in neuro-psychology evaluations
Keeps careful clinical notes and records of all student cases
Assists with the collection and presentation of student health and wellness data when applicable
Partner with faculty to design and implement behavior plans to support student success in and out of the classroom
Serve on the Lower and Middle School Student Support Teams
Assist the PA in bringing in speakers and experts in the field
Required Competencies:
Excellent knowledge of child development, latest education theories and practices, and current trends in education and professional development
Planning and organizing
Interpersonal/relationship management skills
Collaboration
Integrity and trust
Attentive listener
Commitment to lifelong learning
Master’s degree in mental health counseling/social work/or related fields
Active license as a clinician (LMHC, LCSW, LICSW, or School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker, School Guidance Counselor or School Psychologist, or a doctoral level degree in the field of psychology).
Experience working with elementary and middle school students; school-based mental health counseling experience
Reports to Assistant Head of School/Head of Middle School and Head of Lower School
Please send a resume and cover letter to Carl Vallely, Assistant Head of School and Head of Middle School, CVallely@brimmer.org
Brimmer and May is a Pre-K to 12 coeducational day school that upholds high academic standards while implementing innovative ideas. We develop lifelong learners who are informed, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders in our diverse world.
Founded in 1880, the School is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and enrolls 390+ students yearly. Brimmer seeks to hire candidates with a diversity of backgrounds who have a desire to grow professionally and enrich our educational community. The School supports and fosters the professional development of its faculty and staff through the funding of conferences, workshops, and graduate courses.
Brimmer and May is an equal opportunity employer.