Website Tessellations_S Tessellations
A K-8 progressive school tailored for gifted students
School Counselor or Mental Health Counselor
Tessellations is a progressive K-8 non-profit school for gifted learners based in Cupertino, CA. Our mission is to provide challenging experiential education that recognizes and nurtures the individual strengths of gifted learners, empowering them to confidently express who they are and pursue a meaningful life. At Tessellations, community is a core value, as it is the reason our small and mighty school was able to form and thrive despite the global pandemic. Our team consists of passionate, qualified and dedicated staff from diverse backgrounds and includes nationally renowned gifted experts.
Tessellations School is seeking a School Counselor or Mental Health Counselor who will support the health and wellbeing of our K-8th grade students. We are currently accepting applications from qualified candidates who are interested in a full-time position or part-time position. The School Counselor / Mental Health Counselor will play a critical role in evolving and sustaining the school’s approach to social emotional learning, working proactively and responsively to care for the needs of the community.
Responsibilities:
- Provide counseling, intervention,, and support to students in grades K-8, as individuals or in small groups, to address social and emotional needs
- Consult with teachers, families and outside specialists to create recommendations and supports for students
- Be a part of the Student Support Team to manage student cases and student needs, supporting the complex ways students can show up to school. Take leadership and provide expertise when complex cases or situations arise.
- Provide training and coach teachers in applying knowledge of child development, SEL strategies, and giftedness to meet the needs of a wide range of learners
- Support the effective and consistent implementation of the school’s commitment to gifted education, culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate teaching, based on curricula and best practices shared by Responsive Classroom, Zones of Regulation, ConnectED and Wayfinder.
- Provide staff and families, with information, expertise, and training to improve student wellbeing, learning, culture, and social and emotional growth
- Observe students in classrooms and in unstructured settings to, gain a better understanding, and support students and teachers as needed
- Support school-wide SEL initiatives based on the needs of the student community
- Communicate, meet, and partner with families and outside service providers as necessary to support student wellbeing
- Lead restorative conversations with teachers, students, and families to resolve conflicts within the Tessellations community
- Partner with the administrative team, providing education, recommendations, and plans for any individual, group or community SEL needs including creating school-wide SEL initiatives based on identified needs Lead the Student Support Team to manage student cases and student needs, and support the complex ways students can show up to school
- Maintain an organized system of records, meeting notes and information related to all case management and incident needs while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
- Be available for immediate crisis assessment and intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
- Actively participate in a collaborative staff culture that is committed to being at the leading edge of K-8 gifted education
- Report to the Assistant Head of School
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in counseling or a related field
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS Credential) or equivalent counseling license
- A love of elementary and middle school children
- Expertise in middle school counseling and issues
- Experience working as a school counselor or mental health professional in a school setting (as school counseling is quite different than clinical counseling in an outside setting)
- Experience with gifted children preferred
- Excellent communication skills in communication with students, parents, outside professionals, and colleagues
- Flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of students, teachers, and families as they occur on campus
- Expertise in organizing and documenting student information, notes, and communications related to case management and incidents.
- Proficiency in Google Suite
- Demonstrated commitment to teaching and learning in a diverse, dynamic, 21st century school community
- Desire and ability to work in a collegial, highly collaborative environment
- A growth mindset and excellent organizational skills.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary range: $77,000 – $120,000. Starting salaries are competitive and reflect experience level and qualifications.
Benefits include: full medical, dental, and vision coverage; ample retirement planning; a generous holiday schedule; and a strong commitment to engaging and personalized professional development.
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@tessellations.school. For more information about our school, visit http://tessellations.school.
Tessellations does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, religion, creed, or disability.
