Primary School Counselor

Position Summary:
The Primary School Counselor plays a crucial role in nurturing the social, emotional, and behavioral growth of our primary school students. This position requires collaboration with students, families, and staff to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive atmosphere for learning. Responsibilities include providing individual and small group counseling, consulting with educators and parents, and conducting in-class lessons that enhance emotional intelligence, promote healthy relationships, and encourage responsible digital behavior. As an integral member of the Student Support Team, the Primary School Counselor acts as a liaison among students, teachers, and families, ensuring that each child at GWA feels acknowledged, valued, and secure.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None

Travel Requirements:
None

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct Student Support:

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Create and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons for the entire class that emphasize empathy, resilience, and self-regulation techniques.

• Small-Group Counseling: Lead targeted intervention groups for students facing common developmental issues such as social skills, grief, or transitions.

• Individual Counseling: Offer short-term individual assistance to students to help them overcome immediate social or emotional obstacles to their learning.

• Responsive Care: Maintain availability to address student crises or urgent emotional needs as they occur.

• Positive Behavior & School Culture
• PBIS Leadership: Contribute to school-wide initiatives aligned with Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to cultivate a consistent and supportive environment for all students.

• Behavioral Incentives: Develop and manage behavioral incentive systems that encourage students to meet community standards.

• Student Recognition: Organize and oversee programs that honor student character, including "Students of the Week" and the acknowledgment of "Upstanders" during Primary School Assemblies.

• Anti-Bullying: Implement comprehensive anti-bullying strategies and restorative justice practices to foster a culture of kindness and bravery.

• Safety & Advocacy
• Child Protection: Serve as a key resource for child protection services, ensuring adherence to all school and local safety protocols.

• Digital Citizenship: Spearhead initiatives and workshops focused on Internet Safety, guiding students in navigating the digital landscape responsibly.

• Collaborative Consultation
• Teacher Partnership: Work alongside classroom teachers to offer strategies for addressing behavioral challenges and supporting inclusive classroom settings.

• Parent Engagement: Organize parent workshops and individual consultations to synchronize home and school support systems.

• Multidisciplinary Team: Collaborate with the learning support team and administration to create comprehensive student success plans.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, or a related discipline is mandatory.

• At least 2 years of counseling experience in a primary school environment is required, preferably within an international or American-curriculum institution.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Exhibit exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.

• Possess a high degree of flexibility and the capacity to adapt in a dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational skills for documentation management, tracking incentives, and scheduling assemblies.

• A profound commitment to maintaining student confidentiality and ethical standards.

• Familiarity with online platforms and technological tools.

• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in French or Arabic is advantageous.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with students, staff, and families.

• Prior international teaching or experience in a multicultural setting is a plus.