Posted: 28-Mar-26
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: LOWER001715
We're seeking a compassionate, skilled Lower School Counselor who sees every child's potential and helps them navigate the beautiful complexity of growing up. You'll be part of a collaborative team dedicated to fostering growth mindset, empathy, and servant leadership in our youngest students while supporting families and faculty in creating a culture of belonging. Your work touches every corner of Lower School life - from classroom lessons to individual counseling to family partnerships to faculty development. You'll be a trusted resource for students, families, and colleagues alike.
Classification:Full-Time, 10-month position
Start Date: August 2026
Schedule:Standard school day
Primary Reporting Line:Director of K-12 School Counseling
Secondary Reporting Line: Head of Lower School
What You'll Do
Guide Students' Social-Emotional Growth
You'll help young children develop the emotional intelligence, resilience, and relationship skills they need to thrive.
- Design and teach classroom guidance lessons focused on growth mindset, empathy, self-regulation, kindness, problem-solving, and servant leadership
- Provide individual counseling for students navigating friendship challenges, big feelings, family transitions, anxiety, grief, or other social-emotional needs
- Facilitate small groups including new student lunch gatherings, friendship skills groups, and other social-emotional learning opportunities
- Conduct new student orientations to help children feel welcomed and connected
- Maintain confidential records documenting interactions, interventions, and decisions in accordance with best practices
Partner with Families and Faculty
You won't work in isolation - you'll collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and colleagues to create a comprehensive support system for every child.
- Collaborate with teachers to support students' social-emotional development in the classroom and beyond
- Consult with families about their child's growth, challenges, and strategies for supporting development at home
- Serve on the Lower School Student Support Core Team, helping identify and support students who need additional resources
- Attend Grade Level Team (GLT) meetings to stay connected with classroom dynamics and student needs
- Design and co-facilitate parent education sessions on topics like child development, emotional regulation, screen time, friendship challenges, and more
- Design and co-facilitate professional development for faculty on supporting student social-emotional learning and creating trauma-informed, inclusive classrooms
Build Community and Culture
You'll help shape the culture of care, belonging, and joy that defines Lovett's Lower School.
- Assist with the Student Service Council (SSC), helping students develop servant leadership and empathy through action
- Serve on school committees as needed to advance student well-being and inclusive community
- Attend occasional after-school student functions (performances, events, celebrations) to stay connected with students and families
- Model Lovett's values of Purpose, Intellect, Belonging, Faith, and Love in all interactions
Who You Are
You bring:
- Master's degree in School Counseling (required)
- Minimum 3 years of counseling experience with Lower School-aged children (preferred)
- Experience with developmentally responsive approaches such as Morning Meetings, Positive Discipline, and Responsive Classroom (preferred)
- Cultural competence and passion for equity and inclusion with a nuanced understanding of identity development in young children
- Excellent communication skills - you can explain complex social-emotional concepts to 5-year-olds, reassure worried parents, and collaborate effectively with colleagues
- Tech proficiency including ViewSonic Boards and Google Workspace
You are:
- Child-centered – You genuinely love working with young children and see every interaction as an opportunity to build connection and teach life skills
- Joyful – You bring warmth, humor, and positivity even when navigating challenging situations
- Culturally responsive – You celebrate the individuality and cultural differences of each child and actively work to create an inclusive, affirming environment for all students and families
- Proactive – You don't wait for crises; you build relationships and teach skills that prevent problems before they start
- Collaborative – You see teachers, parents, and colleagues as partners and actively seek their insights and expertise
- Reflective – You're committed to examining your own biases, growing in cultural self-awareness, and continuously developing your practice
- Emotionally intelligent – You regulate your own emotions, read situations accurately, and respond with empathy and wisdom
- Whole-child focused – You understand that academic success and social-emotional health are inseparable
- Systems-minded – You think beyond individual students to how school-wide practices, policies, and culture impact student well-being
- Flexible and adaptive – You can shift from teaching a classroom lesson to counseling an anxious child to consulting with a parent - all before lunch
Why Lovett?
Our Community
Join a faculty of passionate educators who genuinely care about one another and the students we serve. You'll be part of a collaborative culture where your voice matters, your expertise is valued, and your professional growth is supported.
Our Commitment to Whole-Child Education
At Lovett, we educate the whole child - mind, body, and spirit. Our Lower School is integral to this mission, ensuring every student has access to the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.
Our Beautiful Campus
Work in a stunning setting with state-of-the-art facilities designed to inspire learning and community.
Professional Growth
Engage in meaningful professional development throughout the school year and summer. We invest in our faculty because we know that when teachers grow, students flourish.
Benefits & Compensation
The Lovett School offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan options, paid time off, and tuition remission benefits.
True to our core value of Belonging, The Lovett School is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse faculty and staff that reflects the world our students will inherit. We actively seek candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about our mission to develop students of honor, faith, and wisdom. Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and post-offer drug screening.
Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; use hands and arms for teaching activities; lift and move materials up to 20 pounds; and possess vision abilities suitable for reading and digital work. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
