Elementary School Counselor

Description

Thrive Education Partners is seeking an experienced School Counselor for a full-time, on-campus position at a growing independent school in Miami, Florida. The counselor will support students' social-emotional development, well-being, and success at school, working closely with students, families, teachers, and school leadership while earning $50,000–$69,000 annually.

Effective school counseling starts with relationships. Students seek help from adults they already trust, and a counselor who knows students well—how they respond to frustration, who they turn to, what has changed in their week—can often recognize a concern early, before it becomes a crisis. In this role, the counselor will combine individual and small-group support with classroom SEL lessons and schoolwide initiatives, so that the skills students build with the counselor carry into their classrooms, friendships, and family life.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, collaborative, and emotionally grounded counselor who can build trust with students while partnering thoughtfully with the teachers, families, and leaders who support them. This person should be comfortable working across the full range of student needs, from everyday interpersonal concerns to difficult situations that require calm judgment.

This is a full-time position, and the counselor is a member of the faculty rather than an outside service. The role contributes both to individual student support and to the broader culture of the school, helping create an environment where students feel known, supported, and confident, and where teachers and families feel equipped to address student needs.

About the School

The school's educational philosophy begins with the belief that children learn best when their academic, emotional, and physical development are supported together. Students experience a challenging academic program enriched by social-emotional learning, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, wellness practices, and real-world experiences, with a strong emphasis on self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, creativity, initiative, and independence.

Families are viewed as trusted partners, and faculty are expected to build thoughtful, proactive relationships with parents. The culture is high-expectation and highly supportive; the school's strongest teachers describe it as collaborative and creative, with educators given meaningful autonomy, encouraged to bring ideas forward, and supported closely by school leadership and instructional specialists.

What You'll Do

• Build trusting relationships with students and provide individual counseling and support as appropriate.
• Facilitate small groups, classroom guidance, and SEL lessons.
• Support students with social-emotional, interpersonal, behavioral, and school-related concerns.
• Help students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, problem-solving skills, and healthy relationships.
• Partner with teachers and school leadership to identify student needs and develop support strategies.
• Communicate thoughtfully with families about student social-emotional needs and the support in place.
• Support students and the school community during challenging situations and crisis response, as appropriate to the role.
• Contribute to school wide initiatives in SEL, student wellness, character development, and school culture.
• Participate in professional development, faculty meetings, and collaborative conversations about student support.

What Makes Someone Successful

• Relationship-driven. You build genuine, trusting relationships with students and families, and students come to you because they know you.
• Student-centered. You approach students with empathy, curiosity, and care, and you listen before you advise.
• Emotionally grounded. You stay calm and thoughtful in difficult moments, and that steadiness helps the students and adults around you.
• Collaborative. You enjoy working closely with teachers, families, and school leadership, and you treat them as partners in supporting each student.
• Proactive. You notice concerns early and act on them rather than waiting for a referral.
• Flexible and growth-minded. You welcome feedback and adjust your approach as student and school needs evolve.
• Committed to whole-child development. You believe social-emotional growth is an essential part of a student's education, not an add-on to it.

Requirements

• Degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, Education, or a related field
• Appropriate school counseling certification or licensure
• Experience working with school-age students
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Must reside within commuting distance of Miami or be willing to relocate prior to employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous school counseling experience
• Experience with individual and small-group counseling
• Experience delivering SEL or classroom guidance lessons
• Experience supporting students with behavioral or emotional needs
• Independent or private school experience
• Experience developing or supporting school wide SEL or wellness programming

Professional Standards

• Current background check and all required employment screenings; Thrive facilitates this process
• Verifiable references from prior school or counseling roles, including at least one direct supervisor or administrator
• Strong professionalism, discretion, and adaptability within a school community
• Comfort maintaining strict confidentiality in accordance with professional and school standards

Logistics & Compensation

• Location: Miami, Florida
• Setting: Full-time, on campus at an independent school
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:45 a.m. to 4:00–4:30 p.m.
• Faculty meetings: Tuesdays until approximately 5:30 p.m.
• Start: As soon as possible
• Compensation: $50,000–$69,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and overall fit
• Relocation: Relocation assistance may be available for an exceptional candidate
• Employment: Full-time employee of the school

Support from Thrive

• Dedicated Thrive support throughout the recruitment, interview, and placement process
• An initial conversation with Thrive to understand your experience, philosophy, and goals before any introduction to the school
• Detailed information about the school and its educational philosophy as you move through the interview process
• Access to Thrive's broader network of educators, specialists, and educational resources
• Ongoing partnership to support a strong, sustainable educator-school relationship

Why This Role

Many school counselors spend their days on scheduling, testing coordination, and paperwork, with little time left for the students themselves. This role centers on the part of the work most counselors entered the field to do: knowing students well, teaching the skills that help them manage their emotions and relationships, and working alongside teachers and families to support each child.

You'll join a school where social-emotional learning is built into the program rather than treated as a separate initiative, which means your work will be understood and valued by the faculty around you. The school invests in professional learning, gives educators meaningful autonomy, and holds them to high expectations while supporting them closely in meeting those expectations.

Because the school is still growing, this is also a chance to shape what student support looks like there, from classroom SEL to school wide wellness programming, and to become a trusted, lasting member of a community that shares your belief in educating the whole child.

About Thrive

Thrive Education Partners connects exceptional educators with schools and families seeking highly personalized, values-driven education.

Our placements go beyond traditional tutoring and classroom teaching. We thoughtfully match educators with schools and families to create learning experiences built on strong relationships and instruction that responds to how each student learns. Students strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and make meaningful progress toward their goals.

Thrive Education Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.