The Elementary School Counselor provides counseling services for students in the Entrance Class through grade 6 and works in close cooperation with the homeroom teachers to deliver a guidance curriculum aligning with the International School Counseling Model. Areas addressed to support student success include academic and social-emotional counseling, conflict resolution, self-confidence, decision-making, and stress management, transitions and crisis intervention.
In collaboration with students, staff, administration, special education team, and/or families, the Elementary School Counselor:
- Provides individual, small group and classroom prevention and support
- Consults and addresses academic and social-emotional concerns
- Manages and provides support for crisis interventions and is member of crisis, trauma, and child protection teams
- Co-creates solution-focused interventions to support students in need
- Provides resources for outside referrals to services and testing
- Creates Stanford Test coordination for grade 5
- Coordinates educational supports for students with specific accommodations
- Meets regularly with the counseling team (Entrance Class-12) and Elementary School Student Services Team (Entrance Class-6)
- Co-leads work with the J.E.D.I. team (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
- Works closely with middle school counselor to provide effective transition supports for new students and for 6th graders moving to 7th grade
- Facilitates peer mediation program and mentor program
- Coordinates with administration and teachers for report card conferences
- Communicates to all Elementary School staff in weekly bulletin (‘Counseling Corner’)
- Offers opportunities for professional development for staff and family workshops (in English)
Rate of Pay: Salary is commensurate with education and experience.No German language required but is advantageous.
Minimum Requirements for American Teaching Positions at the John F. Kennedy School Berlin
- United States citizenship
- Three years of full-time recent teaching experience (within the last 5 years) in a U.S. public school at the level and in the subject area for which the application is being made
- Subject certification in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington D.C. Teaching Certificate required, as well as Counselor Certificate desired
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of instruction for positions in grades entrance class through 6
- Master’s degree in the field of instruction for positions in grades 7 through 12
- Some knowledge of German for positions in grades entrance class through 3
- Willingness to learn German for positions in grades 4 through 12
- Willingness to serve an initial two-year contract
- Provide 2 references
- Provide a police background check
