K-6 Counselor & Wellness Teacher

The K-6 Counselor & Wellness Teacher has a strong background in the six prongs of Wellness: Identity, Mental Health, Physical Health, Human Development & Sexuality, Social-Emotional Development, and Digital Citizenship. They work with students in grades K - 6, as a Counselor and classroom Wellness teacher. They support faculty and families, in their work with individual students and broader programming. They collaborate closely with the Directors of both Lower and Middle Schools, the Director of Counseling, the Assistant Head: Student Life, and the Lower and Middle School Learning Specialists. They also serve as a member of the Student Support Team (SST). They are adept at engaging and communicating effectively with students, families, and faculty and have excellent teaching, curriculum development, counseling and presentation skills.  Professionalism and the ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues are vital in this role.  The job also demands a strong and demonstrated commitment to Equity & Inclusion and an embrace of Maret’s Mission and Core Values.

Responsibilities include:

With Students:

• Providing instruction for Wellness classes in grades K - 6, in coordination with the  Director of Counseling to ensure appropriate scope and sequence throughout the school.
• Seeking opportunities to create, organize, and present programs, beyond Wellness classes, that educate students.
• Meeting with K - 6 students who are in distress and providing urgent care or short term counseling as needed.
• Developing relationships with students through community interactions.
• Staying attuned to the diversity of our students and demonstrating cultural competence in the classroom by serving families of all identities.

With Faculty:

• Meeting regularly with the Lower and Middle School Directors to support student issues, educate teachers and continually assess divisional Wellness program needs.
• Meeting regularly with the Director of Counseling and Assistant Head: Student Life.
• Collaborating and consulting with Lower School and Middle School Learning Specialists as needed. 
• Consulting with K - 6 faculty regarding social, emotional and behavioral needs of the students. This may include developing and implementing behavior plans for students who need them. They can provide direct observation of K-6 students during classes when needed. Consultation may take place during specific student, grade-level, divisional or SST meetings where student concerns are discussed. 
• Participating in weekly Student Support Team (SST) meetings and working collaboratively with its members.
• Attending all Lower and Middle School divisional, weekly Full Faculty, staffing and transition meetings for K-6.
• If the need arises, stepping in for the Director of Counseling if absent/unavailable.
• Developing relationships with faculty through community interactions.
• Seeking opportunities to create, organize and/or present programs that educate faculty on Wellness.

With Families:

• Providing consultation to families of K - 6 students regarding their social-emotional needs. This may include making referrals to outside therapy for the student or family. The counselor may also communicate with outside therapists who are serving our students.
• Seeking opportunities to create, organize and/or present programs that educate families on Wellness.
• Developing relationships with families through community interactions.

Professional Development: 

• Continuing professional growth and personal development through courses, workshops, seminars, Equity Learning Groups (ELGs) and consulting with the Committee on Equity & Inclusion (CEI) when appropriate.

To learn more about our community, please visit www.maret.org. Our historic campus is in the heart of Washington, D.C. and offers a unique setting, where students and faculty alike demonstrate a sense of energy, imagination, and entrepreneurial spirit. At Maret, everyone seeks a broader perspective—an expanded understanding of each other, our community, and the larger world. Equity and inclusion are at the heart of all we do. Maret School stands firmly behind the principle that the admission of students, the employment of faculty, the operation of programs, and the governance of the School be open to all who are qualified regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. We believe that this principle is both firmly grounded in the spirit of American democracy and in keeping with the civil responsibilities of an independent school.

Every Maret employee must abide by our Code of Conduct.

If this description speaks to you and you are interested in working in the DC area, please send a cover letter and resume BY EMAIL ONLY to Lynn Levinson, Assistant Head: Student Life, at llevinson@maret.org. Please email from individual email accounts as we will not open materials sent from a third party firm or address. Unfortunately, we will not be able to respond personally to every applicant. You will hear from us only if your experience matches our current needs.  Thank you so much for your interest.