Lower School Counselor & Life Teacher (rev.02272026)

Job Posting Summary:

Ensworth School seeks an engaging and student-centered educator to serve as the Lower School Counselor and Life Teacher. This role is dedicated to supporting student well-being and personal development by nurturing students’ emotional intelligence, social skills, and resilience through individual and small group counseling and whole class instruction.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

General

• Abides by Ensworth’s Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct
• Commits to the ideals expressed in Ensworth’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
• Adheres to the Essential Expectations of an Ensworth Faculty, Staff, or Administrator
• Participates in responsibilities and duties outside of the classroom such as carpool as needed
• Engages in professional growth activities
• Seeks out opportunities to connect Ensworth students to relevant cultural activities in Nashville
• Other duties as assigned

Counseling

• Holistic Development: Prioritize the development of students’ emotional intelligence and positive social behaviors beyond the traditional academic curriculum.
• Meet with students individually to support social-emotional difficulties
• Provide small group counseling intervention for targeted instruction in key developmental areas (e.g. emotion regulation, social skills, anxiety management, etc.)
• Executive Functioning Support: Equip students with strategies to improve organization, planning, and self-regulation skills through targeted executive functioning exercises.
• Establishes a cooperative relationship with all students
• Maintains open lines of communication with parents/guardians
• Collaboration with Staff: Work closely with classroom teachers, administrators, and academic support faculty to implement consistent SEL practices schoolwide, ensuring a unified approach to student development.
• Communicate and collaborate with local mental health providers when necessary to support student well-being
• Track student meeting data and analyze relevant trends
• Support students in emotional crisis and connect them with relevant community professionals

Life Teacher

• Curriculum Implementation: Design and deliver SEL lessons that are presented through a dedicated SEL program, ensuring alignment with Ensworth’s Mission and Vision.
• Active & Outdoor Team Building: Create engaging, movement-based lessons that include outdoor team building activities, enhancing communication, cooperation, and leadership skills.
• Plans, prepares, and delivers age-appropriate lessons to lower school students
• Inclusive Learning Environment: Foster a safe and supportive atmosphere where every student feels empowered to grow, explore, and succeed.
• Maintains a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning
• Selects and uses effective instructional methods, technology, and learning materials
• Works collaboratively with Lower School faculty especially in the area of creating interdisciplinary opportunities

Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Intermediate understanding and ability to use computers and technology including (e.g., Google Suites, Microsoft Windows and Office products, basic office equipment, projectors, etc.)
• Well-developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with all constituents in a school environment, including students, co-workers, parents, alumni, volunteers, and the public
• Adaptability, honesty, self-reliance, teamwork, dependability, flexibility, willingness to listen and learn, work ethic, determination, persistence, problem-solving skills, loyalty, and congeniality are essential.
• Must successfully complete background screening and verification
• Continued Education Programs – Periodically participate in different training sessions identified by you, the employee, and/or Divisional Leadership/Supervisor with the goal of keeping our teachers and staff up to date with current teaching methods, practices and any new knowledge in their respective field. Depending on the program, such training may need to take place outside of normal working hours and/or in the summer months.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Regularly works in standard classroom conditions and climate, occasionally works outdoors in varying weather conditions and climate
• Regularly uses close and distance vision, ability to observe students from various distances
• Frequently required to move around the classroom, frequently positions oneself to work with small children on the floor, frequently moves around campus, etc.
• Ability to frequently move items/students weighing up to 30/50 lbs. across the classroom
• Frequently works in an occasionally stressful environment, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts, stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
• Ability to regularly work flexible hours to support before and after-school or weekend events
• Ensworth requires employees to be physically present on campus, with limited exceptions that are at the sole discretion of the School. Under extraordinary circumstances, some or all of the workforce may be required to move to a remote working environment. Additionally, certain individuals may also be approved for limited remote work, based on the nature of the job description, specific circumstances, and only with written prior approval by a direct supervisor.

Application Requirements:

Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment and attach a cover letter and résumé. Contact masonerk@ensworth.com with any questions.

About Ensworth School:

Ensworth is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school. The School promotes academic excellence and inspires students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.

Located on two campuses in Nashville, Tennessee, Ensworth enrolls approximately 1,250 students and serves families in more than 50 zip codes. Ensworth is recognized among the leading independent schools in the nation. The school’s challenging academic program is embedded in a culture of support and encouragement and reflects a commitment to the core skills of observation, collaboration, communication, analysis, questioning, evaluation, and most importantly, the application of knowledge. Graduates have the adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness necessary for success in the 21st century and are not only prepared to meet the demands of the future but are also imbued with a sense of purpose and service to others.

Ensworth School is an extraordinary place to work and seeks employees who are passionate about learning and motivated by the opportunity to awaken that passion in students.

It is Ensworth's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law. It is the intent and resolve of Ensworth to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, evaluation, promotion, disciplinary action, termination, compensation and training. Employment decisions at Ensworth will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.