Lower School Counselor

Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving approximately 700 students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, integrity, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict.

Summary: Under direct supervision of the Director of Counseling Services, the direction of the Head of Lower School, and collaboration with the Assistant Head of Lower School, the Lower School Counselor is responsible for leading efforts around social-emotional learning and mental health within the Lower School at Sandy Spring Friends School.

Essential Job Functions:

Serves as a member of the Lower School Student Resource Team in collaboration with administration and faculty in service of the students and families

Provides social and emotional support to PK3 - 5 students

Follows school protocols to report student concerns and incidents

Serves as family-school liaison in respect to life and change events

Collaborates with faculty to create and sustain a healthy Lower School climate

Provides friendship and relationship building strategies for students in PK3 – 5

Serves as a mediator between students in times of conflict

Offers social emotional and behavioral strategies for faculty and families

Provides parent education and resources for relevant social-emotional learning topics

Offers referrals to parents for providers of behavioral and emotional support

Develops and implements PK3 - Grade 5 SEL curriculum

Supports teachers to develop, implement, and deliver social emotional learning in morning and closing meetings

Collaborates with the Counselors Department to assure cross-divisional and all school congruence

Serves on division and/or all-school committees

Assists with Admissions responsibilities which may include Open Houses, tours, observing and assessing applicants, and reviewing applicant files as needed

Participates in shared student supervision duties including lunch, recess, and arrival/departure processes

Attends regular faculty meetings, as well as Wednesday afternoon professional development, All-School assemblies, Meetings for Worship, Back-to-School Night, and other required events during the day and occasionally on evenings and weekends

Participates actively in the FOLIO process for professional growth

Knowledge and Skill Set Requirements:

Masters in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field with a focus on child development and significant counseling experience (2-5 year minimum)

Licensed or license eligible in MD preferred

Experience working with elementary-aged children

Technology proficiencies with Google Suite

Thoughtful and professional communicator skilled in fostering partnerships with adults and children

Passionate educator with a deep understanding of child development

Advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in early childhood and elementary education

Ability to embrace Quaker values and use Quaker process as applicable.

Physical Requirements: Daily desk work includes significant amounts of telephone and computer time as well as mobility around the entire campus. This includes frequent walking inside and outside, maneuvering stairs as a part of daily routines. Bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a regular classroom and office setting.

Please note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination, which includes a bivalent dose of the vaccine given on or after 9/1/2022.

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.