School Counselor

Position Overview

The School Counselor at Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool/Landmark Preschool is a vital member of

our community, dedicated to fostering the social-emotional well-being and academic success of our students

in preschool through 8th grade. The counselor collaborates with students, families, faculty, and staff to create a

supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Student and Family Support:

• Provide individual and group counseling to students, addressing a wide range of social-emotional needs, including stress management, anxiety, peer relationships, and self-esteem.
• Conduct regular check-ins with students identified as needing additional support.
• Partner with parents/guardians to develop strategies for supporting students' social-emotional development at home and school.
• Offer parent education workshops [coffee mornings, virtual drop in sessions,, etc..] and resources on relevant topics such as child development, parenting strategies, and mental health.
• Coordinate Health and Well--being--related classes within the LS-US divisions [drug and alcohol, friendship puppet show, etc..]
  
  

Curriculum Development

• Lead the SEL Development Team [with support from Division Leaders] to design and implement a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for preschool through 8th grade, aligned with the school's mission and values.
• Develop engaging and age-appropriate lessons and activities that promote self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
• Collaborate with teachers to integrate SEL into the academic curriculum and classroom routines.
• Coordinate the implementation of new SEL curriculum resources and materials, modeling how to best leverage the resources for classes.
  
  

Teacher Training And Support

• Provide professional development for faculty and staff on topics related to social-emotional learning, mental health, and student well-being.
• Consult with teachers on strategies for managing challenging behaviors and creating a positive classroom climate.
• Offer support and guidance to teachers in identifying and addressing students' social-emotional needs.
• Contribute to the monthly Student Support Newsletter for Families
• Contribute to the SST newsletter for faculty
• Attend meetings and facilitate conversations/check-ins on student progress
• Maintain a resource hub to house resources for our community to access for support/guidance
  
  

Case Management

• Identify and assess students in need of additional support services.
• Develop and implement individualized support plans for students with specific social-emotional or behavioral needs.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and outside providers to coordinate services and ensure consistent support for students.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student interactions and interventions.
• Ensure Division Directors and SST Leadership have an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of current caseload, escalations, and communications with families.
• Maintain the internal tracking systems set up for the SST.
• Provide support for any faculty or staff member and mandated reporting.
  
  

Skills And Requirements

• Experience and Expertise: A minimum of 2 years of experience providing counseling or support services in a school setting, demonstrating expertise in child development and a deep understanding of the unique needs of students across preschool through 8th grade.
• Collaboration and Partnership: A proven ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, teachers, and administrators, fostering a collaborative approach to supporting student well-being. Must be professional and have the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Professionalism and Ethics: Upholding the highest ethical standards in counseling practice, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to school policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills, including empathy, active listening, and clear communication, to effectively connect with and support individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Adaptability and Growth Mindset: A flexible and adaptable approach to working with students and families, embracing new challenges and opportunities for professional growth.
• Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with technology tools for communication, data collection, and analysis to enhance counseling practice and support student success.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master's degree in School Counseling or a related field.
• State certification or licensure in School Counseling (or eligibility for certification) preferred
  
  

This is a salaried, full time position offering benefits. Hours are Monday - Friday 8am-4pm.

Compensation range: 55,000-75,000

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to Stephanie Kowalski, HR Director at skowalski@ridgefieldacademy.org.

Ridgefield Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.