School Counselor
School Counselor
School: Wardlaw School of the Atlanta Speech School
Available Position: Administrator
Description:
School Counselor/Wardlaw Program
Start Date: July 2026
The Atlanta Speech School provides an unmatched opportunity to learn from both peers and experts in the field, and to contribute to the School’s growing body of knowledge. Beyond seeking proficiency, we work to construct a Deep Reading Brain for each child at the School and, through our Rollins Center for Language & Literacy, every child beyond the school. Deep reading requires learning to make connections between what we read to what we think, feel, and do. Through deep reading, children develop empathy, hone critical thinking, and go on to make the greatest possible difference in the lives of others.
· We believe in connection over compliance. Rather than silencing children, we teach them to listen - and to think, to question, and to solve.
· Our staff works together to know and serve each child from within an intentional learning ecosystem that is as joyful as it is rigorous.
· Our practices are grounded in structured literacy and built on the sciences of healthy brain development, language acquisition, and the construction of the Deep Reading Brain.  This work is intentionally centered around critical thinking, empathy, problem solving and the development of executive functions.
We are committed to providing a community through which all our students, families, and staff show up safely as themselves and for each other. As stewards of this environment, it is our responsibility to ensure safety extends to every person, inclusive of all races /ethnicities, religions, genders, family structures, sexual orientations, and any other aspect of their identity.
The School has never turned away a child in need of services based on their family’s financial circumstances.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Wardlaw School at the Atlanta Speech School is seeking a School Counselor to support the social-emotional and mental health needs of students in kindergarten through fifth/sixth grade. Working closely with the School Psychologist, the Counselor will collaborate with educators, families, and other professionals to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that promotes student well-being and success.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:
A Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, or related field from a Professional Standards Commission approved and accredited college or university is required. Additionally, a valid professional Standards Commission approved certificate at level S-5 or above is required and a counseling certification (i.e., LPC, LMFT, LCSW, Certified School Counselor) and previous counseling experience with individual (child and parent) and group counseling.
Experience working with elementary-age children and families in a school setting is desirable and a background or experience in learning disabilities would be ideal. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with students, staff, and families are required.
The Wardlaw School is dedicated to ongoing staff development and provides opportunities for individuals to enhance their repertoire of skills and methodologies. We are seeking professionals who strive to excel in their field and enjoy working in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment. Opportunities are available to present locally and nationally.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
· Deliver classroom social-emotional focused guidance lessons on topics such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, empathy, anxiety reduction, and executive functioning
· Collaborate with teachers to model and reinforce Positive Discipline classroom practices (preference for candidates who are Positive Discipline certified)
· Provide short-term school-based individual and small-group counseling on an as-needed basis to promote social–emotional skill development
· Communicate and collaborate regularly with each student’s learning team to promote student success
· Use data to identify student needs, guide interventions, and evaluate program effectiveness
· Foster a positive classroom community through consistent routines and relationship-building practices
· Partner with families to support student growth by sharing insights, strategies, and relevant resources
· Consult with external mental health providers when needed
· Maintain accurate and confidential student records
· Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the profession, including reporting suspected abuse or neglect in compliance with state laws.
· Complete school-related duties to support students and teachers, as needed (e.g., support community and culture work, testing and data entry, lunch/recess duty, etc.)
BENEFITS:
Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. This 190-day, full-time school position offers a generous benefit package including health/dental/life/vision and long-term disability insurance; the School subsidizes health insurance premiums of staff and families. Other benefits include Flexible Spending Account; 403(b) Plan; cost reduction of some Atlanta Speech School services; complimentary meals during work hours; and accrued sick leave.
TO APPLY:
Please submit the following documents to ensure that your information is considered:
· cover letter
· resume
· written submission
o Describe how a child with whom you worked changed your professional life
OR
o Describe what motivates you to teach. Email: hr@atlantaspeechschool.org
Subject line: School Counselor - Wardlaw School
Atlanta Speech School
Founded over 85 years ago, the Atlanta Speech School has evolved into four school divisions, four clinical programs, Rollins Center for Language & Literacy professional development program and Rollins’ free online Cox Campus. Across all our programs we are driven to ensure that each child can find their voice. The School has never turned away a child in need of our specialized services based on their family’s financial circumstances.
We are the educational equivalent of a teaching hospital. With our vision of literacy and justice for all, we lead equity-based change by extending our work beyond our campus. What occurs in the classroom for each child at the Atlanta Speech School is made available to every teacher by way of our free online professional learning platform, Cox Campus. Cox Campus’ membership is composed of more than 270,000 educators, leaders, healthcare professionals and parents representing all fifty states and 100 countries. 
The School, across all its programs, including the Wardlaw School, attracts a staff of the most gifted and committed teaching professionals who apply the research of the nation’s leading experts on early healthy brain development, language acquisition and Deep Reading Brain.
Contact name: Iris Goodson
Contact email address: hr@atlantaspeechschool.org