REPORTS TO: Student Services Director

JOB GOAL: The Middle School Counselor provides proactive, Christ-centered counseling and academic support for students in Grades 6-8. The counselor promotes emotional well-being, resilience, and academic success through direct counseling services, collaboration with teachers and parents, and schoolwide SEL initiatives. Serving as a student advocate and intermediary, the counselor supports effective communication between students, faculty, administration, and parents. A primary focus is leading the development of the Middle School SEL (Advisory) Program by designing curriculum, equipping teachers, and supporting implementation. All ICS faculty demonstrate Christian character through kindness, grace, and integrity, creating a nurturing space for students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Counseling & Student Support

• Provide individual and small-group counseling to support students’ social-emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal needs.

• Maintain a safe, confidential, and supportive environment that promotes student trust and growth.

• Implement preventive and responsive interventions using evidence-based, solution-focused, and restorative approaches.

• Partner with the Learning Support Teacher and MS/HS Principal to address students’ holistic needs through targeted academic, social, and emotional interventions that enhance classroom engagement, organization, motivation, and peer relationships.

• Refer students to external professionals or agencies when specialized care is required, ensuring coordinated follow-up and communication.

Consultation & Collaboration

• Consult regularly with faculty, staff, and parents regarding student well-being, classroom climate, and behavior support.

• Partner with teachers to design classroom strategies that promote positive behavioral, social-emotional, and academic outcomes.

• Support crisis management by providing immediate intervention and follow-up support when necessary.

• Review records for prospective students to assess eligibility for admission.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Advisory Program 

• Design and develop the Middle School SEL Program (during Advisory), including curriculum creation, piloting, and refinement.

• Train and equip Advisory teachers through ongoing professional development, modeling, and collaborative planning.

• Collaborate with the ES Counselor to ensure vertical alignment between SEL programs.

• Integrate SEL practices with the school’s spiritual life, restorative discipline, and student leadership initiatives.

Parent & Community Engagement

• Partner with parents to promote consistent home-school approaches to supporting student development.

• Offer parent education sessions and workshops on topics such as adolescent development, digital wellness, executive functioning, and social-emotional growth.

School-Wide Contributions

• Support student transitions between Elementary, Middle, and High School, providing guidance and orientation for students and families.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and ensure compliance with school policies and ethical standards.
• Participate in the Service Learning program (Project 4:12) including the capstone project Week Without Walls (WWW) by co-leading a team.
• Participate actively in faculty meetings, chapel, and school events, modeling the school’s values and Christ-centered mission.
• Engage in ongoing professional development in counseling, SEL, and related areas.
• Exemplify strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• [Preferred] Master’s degree in Counseling, School Psychology, or a related field
• Teaching credential from a US state, Canadian province or from ACSI (exceptions will be approved by the Academic Board)
• Experience with supporting students with social & emotional needs
• [Preferred] Minimum 3–5 years of experience in school counseling (international or cross-cultural experience preferred)
• [Preferred] Experience developing or facilitating SEL or Advisory programs