Education Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

The Ivy Street School

The Ivy Street School is a small, year-round, private residential special education school committed to advancing equity and access for young people living with disabilities.

We serve neurodiverse adolescents ages 13-22. We support the whole child through a student-first model that is driven by collaboration, a willingness to think big, and a commitment to knowing our students well.

We believe that every student is exceptional and at Ivy Street, we work tirelessly to create the educational and therapeutic conditions for our students to thrive.

As a community, we are focused on the immediate needs of our scholars with an unwavering eye on their future needs and the concrete plans to achieve it.

Our multidisciplinary team works to create rich and meaningful experiences that will nurture learning and prepare our students for their transition into adulthood and independent living.

While our classrooms have four walls, we consider Boston our second classroom and our students are often making meaning and deepening learning throughout the city.

Overview :

At Ivy Street School, employees work in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment that fosters growth and learning. Education Counselors collaborate closely with a team that includes Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Special Education Teachers, and Nurses, receiving career guidance and mentorship.

We are seeking a creative, empathic, and adaptable Education Counselor passionate about supporting young people and eager to engage in professional development within the human services field.

Our school operates with a trauma-informed care approach (ARC model) and uses Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) along with Restorative Justice practices to promote positive behavior development and personal growth.

We are also committed to deepening our anti-racism efforts and invite candidates who share this commitment. The Education Counselor plays a key role in collaborating with the classroom team to support student progress through implementing IEP goals and therapeutic interventions.

Education Counselors help students strengthen the skills needed for greater independence in education, career, and personal development.

Working in classrooms with 6-8 students, alongside a multidisciplinary team, the role involves supporting learning, life skills, and emotional regulation while implementing therapeutic frameworks and participating in individualized treatment interventions.

The core focus is on driving outcomes and empowering young people to develop the tools they need for a successful transition to adult life.

Job Description :

Collaborative Support : Work with the classroom teacher to implement learning programs, provide classroom supervision, and support students' access to content and skill development.

Offer one-on-one support to help redirect learning as needed.

• Therapeutic Environment : Maintain a safe, therapeutic classroom environment, offering individualized support based on students' learning and treatment needs.
• Therapeutic Frameworks : Utilize frameworks such as CPI, PBIS, and the ARC model of Trauma-Informed Care to help students manage daily stressors and behavior challenges.
• Engagement and Relationship Building : Actively engage with students during daily lessons and activities, making learning enjoyable.

Focus on strengthening relationships and supporting students in building skills and achieving academic success.

• Individualized Support : Provide one-on-one assistance in and out of the classroom, ensuring familiarity with each student’s IEP goals and working toward their progress.
• Team Collaboration : Collaborate with the classroom team on treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing insights on student progress and interventions.
• Documentation : Complete necessary documentation, including daily student progress summaries, incident reports, and communication with families.
• Leadership : Lead group activities, electives, and off-campus trips to help students develop community-based skills.
• Residential Support : Support students in morning routines, including wakeups and breakfast, especially for those in residential programs.

Help build students’ independence and daily life skills.

• Crisis Intervention : Participate in crisis intervention as necessary, ensuring student safety and well-being.
• Positive Relationships with Families : Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with students' families, communicating effectively about progress and needs.
• Milieu Support : Work closely with the Day Program Manager and EC team to provide milieu support and engage students in a supportive and therapeutic environment.
• Belief in Student Potential : Help students build the skills they need to create joyful, independent lives, believing in their potential to achieve personal success.

Responsibilities :

• Float Staff : Serve as a floating staff member as needed, under the direction of the Day Program Supervisor.
• Lead Electives and Trips : Organize and lead electives and off-campus trips to help students build practical and social skills in real-world settings.
• Substitute for Teacher : Step in as a substitute for the teacher when they are absent or on vacation.
• Classroom Collaboration : Participate actively in weekly classroom collaboration sessions, bringing relevant agendas and contributing to team planning.
• Morning Routines : Lead morning wake-up and breakfast routines with positive energy and the application of PBIS interventions.

Competencies & Skills :

• Mastery of Therapeutic Frameworks : Demonstrates expertise in implementing CPI, PBIS, and ARC models of treatment.
• Leadership : Exhibits strong leadership skills, guiding others and taking initiative when necessary.
• Professionalism : Consistently role models professionalism and maintains appropriate relationships between students and staff.
• Feedback Skills : Demonstrates the ability to both give and receive constructive feedback within the Education Counselor team and across departments.
• Team Participation : Actively engages in weekly team meetings and individual supervision, contributing meaningfully to discussions and planning.
• Time Management & Attendance : Maintains excellent time management skills and a strong attendance record.
• Collaborative Teamwork : Works effectively and collaboratively within a team setting to support common goals.
• Interpersonal Skills : Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills, building positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Experience : Previous experience in a similar role is preferred, but not required. A willingness to learn and grow is essential.

Licensure, Degree, and Certification Required :

• Education : High School diploma required. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Special Education, Social Work, Education, Psychology, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience : Previous experience in a similar role is preferred but not required. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Additional Requirements :
• Some holiday shifts required.
• A valid driver’s license (preferred).
• A background check, drug and alcohol test will be conducted prior to starting the position.
• CPR and First Aid certification required (training will be provided upon hire).

Benefits :

The Ivy Street School offers a competitive benefits package including a generous earned time package, health, dental, short, and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plan, and employee discount programs.

Free parking is available at the school. Meals are provided during the shift by our culinary team.

Monday 7 : 30 AM - 3 : 30 PM

Tuesday 7 : 30 AM - 3 : 30 PM

Wednesday 7 : 30 AM - 3 : 30 PM

Thursday 7 : 30 AM - 3 : 30 PM

Friday 7 : 30 AM - 3 : 30 PM