Guidance Counselor- position

Job Description

Position: Guidance Counselor (1 year position)

Starting Date: Aug 21, 2026

Position Type: Full-time

Dearborn Academy, one of New England’s leading therapeutic day schools, enrolls 55 students in grades 3‑12 who have specific learning disabilities and/or mild to moderate emotional challenges. The Guidance Counselor works with students, families and staff to develop goals and transitional plans that support students to learn the necessary skills to become engaged members of their community and, when indicated, return to lesser restrictive academic settings.

Salary Range: $60,000 – $78,000

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with a caseload of students and their IEP teams to create post‑secondary transition plans that advance their skills toward college and career readiness.
• Foster relationships with local businesses, colleges and workforce programs to create opportunities for dual enrollment, job shadowing, internships and paid employment.
• Collaborate closely with clinicians to assist students in developing transitional skills.
• Support classroom and milieu staff in utilizing and practicing transitional skills in the community.
• Promote and foster the student in developing independence, confidence, and self‑advocacy skills.
• Support in creating curriculum and teaching classes related to transitional services.
• Write progress reports and IEP goals.
• Attend weekly faculty meetings, IEPs, and other transition planning meetings.
• Other responsibilities as outlined by the Principal and Head of School.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
• Transition Specialist Endorsement preferred.
• Experience in a school environment preferred.
• Excellent relational skills with students, parents, and providers.
• Demonstrated compassion and kindness toward students, families and staff.
• A sense of humor and belief that unexpected behaviors stem from gaps in skills.
• Proven ability to form relationships with families, state agency representatives and public school district liaisons to create integrated student support teams.
• Belief that suspension is a last resort and interest or experience with restorative justice practices.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills (written and oral), including meeting facilitation.
• Experience using data to inform teaching and transition planning.
• Willingness to bring enthusiasm and energy to sustain a positive school culture.

The position is 10 months in duration.

Dearborn provides a supportive team environment with a competitive wage/benefit program.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to:

Alison Mehan
Associate Director of Curriculum and Instruction
amehan

Dearborn Academy and its parent organization, Schools for Children, adhere to a policy of nondiscrimination which extends to students, families, staff, and individuals with whom it does business. No person shall be discriminated against or denied equal rights and opportunities on account of race, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital status, military status, or homelessness.

Dearborn Academy is an equal‑opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace.