Upper School Counselor

Upper School Counselor

Start date: August 1, 2020

 

The Athenian School believes that student wellness, specifically mental health, is paramount in a student’s high school success. Athenian’s learning outcomes emphasize the importance of physical, emotional and mental wellness. 

 

The role of the Athenian school counselor is imperative in fostering student wellness and a healthy community. 

 

Position Description: Oversees the mental health of Upper School students. Counsels students short-term; serves as a resource for faculty, parents and students; and serves as the liaison between the school and parents, and between the school and outside professionals involving student mental health. 

 

Specific other duties include:

·         working with specific issue-orientated student groups

·         organizing and supervising the Peer Counselors and the Peer Counselor Program

·         organizing and oversite of the Athenian Sexual Assault Prevention Program as well as training student leaders who facilitate the ASAP program

·         meeting weekly with the Student Support Team

·         serving on the School Crisis Team

·         May help teach the Health class focusing on mental health issues

·         Spearhead programming that educates the community about current mental health issues or topics. 

 

The exempt position that follows a faculty calendar. Start date Mid August to early June depending on the academic schedule.

 

Core Qualifications: Licensed mental health professional, with an advanced degree in family therapy or psychology (MFT) or Masters in School Counseling; training and experience in adolescent development; and desire to take part in a dynamic and diverse community of teachers and learners.

 

Preferred Qualifications: Extensive previous high school counseling experience, knowledge and/or experience parenting teens.

 

This is a 10-month position aligned with faculty expectations, Monday through Friday.

 

School Description: The Athenian School is a distinctive independent school that prepares its students for college and for lives of meaning and purpose. Athenian encourages students to become life-long learners and infuses them with confidence, independence, personal responsibility and a sense of community. Enrollment in grades 6-12 with over 500 students, including 58 boarding students, 42 of whom are international students. We ask that applicants take time to read about Athenian’s history and philosophy (visit our website: www.athenian.org). 

 

Every employee is an Athenian community member, and as such, embraces the cornerstones of Athenian’s philosophy: respect; open, direct communication; honesty; fairness; responsibility; and dedication to the students in their intellectual and personal growth. Additionally, active support for environmental conservation, international understanding, equity, inclusion, justice, participatory government, outdoor education, and service is essential. Cultural competence is an expectation of employment for all professional staff at Athenian. As a school that from its founding has valued the worth and integrity of each individual, we are particularly interested in candidates with a proven commitment to teaching and working in a diverse, multicultural setting. 

 

Athenian School strives to attract and retain a faculty and staff of the highest caliber. We have a unique community here, filled with many differing opinions, backgrounds, ideologies and experiences. We have students from all over the globe; our families include a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, single parents, guardians, and step-parents. We have many faiths and those who are non-observant. We represent all income levels. What we share is a belief in Athenian’s mission. By embracing diversity in all forms — gender and gender identity, sexuality, faith, ethnicity, socio-economic status — we encourage students to take intellectual risks, to challenge their own assumptions and to learn to work collaboratively as global citizens and advocates for positive change. 

 

The Athenian School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, faith, sex, gender or gender expression, age, ability, sexual orientation, familial or marital status. The Athenian School is actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and as such, we encourage people of color and members of the LGBTIQ community to apply. 

 

Athenian’s salary and benefits are competitive and include medical, vision, and dental insurance, a retirement plan, a smoke-free environment, and a daily prepared lunch. 

 

We ask that all candidates take time to read about Athenian’s history and philosophy. Please also include the particular source through which you learned about this position: newspaper, website, referral organization, etc. 

 

Please send a letter of interest, current resume, and three references via email to careers@athenian.org by the application deadline of February 14th, 2020.

 

Address your letter of interest to Susie Childs, Dean of Students.