2026-27 Elementary School Counselor

KIPP Nashville Public Schools•Nashville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

KIPP Nashville Public Schools is a network of high-performing, free, open-enrollment K-12 schools committed to positively affecting student outcomes in Nashville since 2005. As part of the acclaimed KIPP Network, KIPP Nashville supports students from Pre-Kindergarten through college and career. The KIPP Forward program assists students in identifying career aspirations and developing the skills and confidence to achieve them. KIPP Nashville currently operates 4 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools, educating over 3,000 students. The mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence for college, career, and beyond, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. The core values are GROWTH, TEAM, and SHINE. The ideal candidate shares these values, demonstrates a willingness to do what it takes for students, and thrives in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. This position overview focuses on the School Counselor role, seeking a dedicated individual with a "whatever it takes" attitude. The School Counselor will work directly with students and families to provide effective, data-driven interventions and collaborate with teachers to enhance their understanding of students' social and emotional development. The role is crucial in ensuring the social and emotional needs of all students and families are met, driving the school's student culture vision of creating a safe, inclusive, and character-building environment for every child. The School Counselor provides core services in prevention, intervention, assessment, and collaboration.

Requirements

Valid Tennessee professional school counselor license or license eligible (required)
Bachelor’s degree (required)
Pass Criminal Background Check (required)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (preferred)
At least two years of counseling experience (preferred)
Experience and demonstrated success teaching students from educationally under-resourced communities (highly preferred)
Unwavering commitment to KIPP Nashville’s mission, students, families, and community
Demonstrates excitement in growing students into their highest selves and believes that providing students with an excellent education is our largest lever as educators to wholly improve student outcomes
Passionate about data-driven instruction
Superb personal organization skills to keep on top of deadlines and measures of accountability
Team player: demonstrates maturity, growth mindset, strong work ethic, follow-through and flexibility

Responsibilities

Build relationships and collaborate with external education and social services professionals to develop appropriate agency services for students and families
Participate in weekly intervention meetings to thought partner with teachers around social and emotional supports
Facilitate workshops and other learning opportunities for families
Conduct home visits that support families to meet KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary expectations and increases student/family involvement
Participate on school staff teams to develop policies and practices to proactively build school culture including opportunities for team-building and collaboration among students
Help drive a school-wide atmosphere that suits the needs to our students, teachers, and families
Facilitate professional development for teachers to help them understand child development and how it affects student performance academically and social/emotionally
Drive social and emotional intervention plans for our most high need students
Run individual and group counseling sessions with research-based social and emotional practices
Assist students, teachers, and families to develop solutions to family and community factors that influence students’ capacity or ability to learn
Complete high-quality progress notes for all students receiving counseling services weekly
Conduct interviews with a student, family members, and KIPP staff members to gather information about each student’s social, emotional and behavioral needs; help all constituents integrate information to best meet the student’s needs
Conduct observations to gather data in order to determine best options for interventions
Create professional learning goals each year and implement feedback towards these goals
Offer support to and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to growth and improvement
Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents and share progress
Be available for open houses, parent teacher conferences and other events involving parents
Make oneself available to students, parents and other staff members
Pursue challenging professional goals each year
Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement
Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year (held during school hours)

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Disability insurance
Supplemental insurance
Life insurance policy options
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) pension plan
401k
29 paid days throughout the 10-month work schedule (including holidays, fall break, spring break, Thanksgiving break, winter break, as well as summer break)
6 PTO days
Additional 2 days after every 2 consecutive years of employment
Payment for unused PTO days at the end of the fiscal year
Up to 10 weeks parental leave for the primary caregiver paid at 100%
Up to 2 weeks parental leave for the secondary caregiver paid at 100%
Laptop computers with access to the internet and or email
$5,000 stipend for Master Teacher Program (after two consecutive years of employment)
$2,000 towards professional development for Master Teacher Program