Job Description
The School Counselor supports the social and emotional development of early childhood and elementary school students. Working collaboratively with teachers, staff, and families, the counselor provides individual and group counseling, supports behavior and emotional regulation, and promotes a safe and supportive learning environment.
General Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of the developmental characteristics of children ages three through twelve years.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral interventions, including the most recent research findings regarding these issues. • Broad knowledge of counseling/social-emotional practices and programming for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
• A general understanding of the details and operations of an emotional support program as well as those of working in a school environment.
• Ability to provide resources and information related to the social-emotional well-being of students to TCS faculty and parents.
• Ability to work with parents, students, faculty and staff to maintain the counseling program to accomplish improvement goals, and to communicate a positive and encouraging message to the school community.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to network with school counselors in similar positions at other schools and educational and counseling professionals in the community to keep abreast of the most recent effective practices as well as those community resources that may be available to TCS students.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide short-term individual and small group counseling for students dealing with academic, social, or emotional challenges.
• Support students in developing coping skills, conflict resolution, self-regulation, and positive peer relationships.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to identify student needs and recommend interventions.
• Support the emotional well-being of faculty and staff as needed.
• Provide continuing education for faculty and staff related to trauma, child safety, and reporting compliance.
• Assist in developing and implementing behavior support plans as needed.
• Promote and lead social-emotional learning (SEL) activities aligned with school-wide goals.
• Oversee the teaching of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum in the classroom
• Communicate with parents/guardians to provide support, resources, and referrals when appropriate.
• Participate in student support team meetings and contribute to school-wide mental health initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate records in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
• Uphold and promote the school’s mission, values, and behavioral expectations.
Qualifications
• A saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and the commitment to follow his leadership. • Understanding of Christian world and life view as it relates to all parts of school life. • Master’s degree or higher in counseling, school counseling, or another related field. • A minimum of three years’ experience working with children in a school or therapeutic setting.
At the Covenant School, we are about more than simply educating our students — we are participating in the miracle of their development and seeing them transform into who they will be. Impactful teaching methods and programs, daily all-school chapel, and school-wide service-learning are the backdrop for the real work — helping children become who God intends them to be.
As we capture our children’s attention and their minds for learning, we also want to capture their hearts in relationships that challenge their thinking and help them learn critical skills. Our graduates attend the finest schools in the Nashville area, where they not only excel academically, but also act with character that comes from authentic faith in Jesus.