Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just outside of Boston.
Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.
In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”
Summary Of Position:
The Lower School Counselor works to support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach by promoting mental health, learning, and prosocial behavior. They work with families, educators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments. The Learning School Counselor has strong knowledge of mental health and is responsible, in conjunction with the Learning Resource Team, for facilitating student support services for the Lower School. The Counselor will work with the Lower School Learning Resources Team. They will provide classroom support, including social-emotional curricula, short-term, school-based counseling identified from data collected in the child study team process, participate in standing meetings with teachers about student support, and document and communicate interventions and progress with team members and caregivers. The counselor will also engage with students as a part of school life and attend to all administrative responsibilities of the position. The Lower School Counselor works to ensure the Lower School is a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for all students.
Essential Functions And Responsibilities:
Teaching and Curriculum
- Provide short-term, school-based counseling support for identified students in a small group or individual setting.
- Teach social emotional skills in classrooms.
- Consult with faculty regarding students' social/emotional and mental health concerns and help teachers identify and support students with behavioral or emotional needs. Share tools to improve student engagement and social-emotional learning.
- Collaborate with members of the Learning Resources Team to craft and lead professional development workshops on pertinent topics related to neurodiversity and supporting students with varied learning needs.
- Provide support to caregivers about mental health and help families access community resources.
- Ensure schools are safe, healthy, and positive learning environments and support division-wide systems for addressing student support teams or mental health initiatives.
- Participate in designing and evaluating Tier 1 (universal), Tier 2 (targeted), and Tier 3 (intensive) supports.
- Conduct behavioral observations and help create and monitor positive behavioral support plans.
- Assist with or facilitate the student of concern referral process and protocol.
- Attend Individualized Learning Guide (ILG) and Evaluation Summary family meetings.
- Regularly monitor and document students’ progress toward their goals. Using formal and informal measures, adjust data-based interventions, and regularly communicate progress to team members and caregivers.
- Support Lower School teachers in interpreting external evaluations and implementing strategies for students with varying learning profiles. Provide guidance, recommendations, and support for accommodations and interventions to promote effective learning.
- Communicate regularly with outside service providers (i.e. psychologists, etc.) and liaise directly with families to maintain continuity of goals and complementary and integrated services.
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Lower School Principal or the Director of Learning Resources.
- Participate in the life of the school outside the classroom, faculty meetings, lunch and recess duties, and advising student activities.
- Participate in the life of the school outside the classroom, faculty meetings, lunch and recess duties, and advising student activities.
- Create a student-centered learning atmosphere that fosters a positive classroom environment which encourages student participation and discussion.
- Adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Stay informed about the latest developments in K-5 counseling & social/emotional education, trends, and innovations, and incorporate these into the program.
- Learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education; incorporate related principles when designing curriculum, teaching, and engaging with students.
- Collaborate with K-5 colleagues, as needed, to develop inter-departmental and cross-disciplinary projects and initiatives.
- Actively support students, providing mentorship and academic guidance.
- Assess and evaluate student performance through assignments, projects, and observations.
- Communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues regarding academic progress.
Community
- Be a visible, accessible presence around campus.
- Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.
- Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.
- Actively participate in greater community enrichment activities, such as advising a student activity, acting as a faculty sponsor to a student club, coaching an athletic team, or acting as an affinity group facilitator.
Other Professional Expectations And Responsibilities
- Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administration, and community members.
- Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.
- Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.
- Create and maintain classroom and campus environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school’s values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.
- Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.
- Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
- Meet deadlines.
- Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.
- Prepare for and participate in the opening of school programming, curriculum nights, open houses, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.
- Complete school-required training.
- Abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.
- Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.
Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Lower School Director of Learning Resources and the Lower School Principal.
Supervision to be exercised: None.
Education/Certification/Licensure
Required: A master’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field
Preferred: Current licensure as LHMC, LICSW, School Psychologist, or Clinical Psychologist
Experience
Required: At least 3 years of proven experience in school-based counseling.
Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding / day school.
Competencies
Required:
- Proficiency in social-emotional curriculum creation and instruction.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated computer expertise including GoogleSuite, Microsoft Word, and Adobe.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.
- Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
- Receptive to supervision and professional development.
- Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.
Required:
Physical Abilities
- Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
- Must be able to teach in a classroom setting and use relevant instructional technology.
- Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.
- Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.
All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and forward to your supervisor as soon as possible.
The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.
An equal opportunity employer, Milton embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race (including natural and protective hairstyle), color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, religious creed, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin or any other status protected by applicable law.
