School Counselor or Student Support Coach DJH

School Counselor or Student Support Coach – 11 month (DJH)

Frederick County Public Schools, Dowell J. Howard Center – Winchester, Virginia

Starting Date: Jul 13, 2026

A student support coach is an essential part of the school mental health team, responsible for working closely with students, teachers, and families to support a positive school culture, discipline, and safety that promotes academic and character development. This position will provide students and staff support in navigating evidence‑based practices, strategies, and tools necessary to effect positive academic and behavior change in students;

by providing supportive interventions to students and the school. The coach will explicitly teach and support students with the development of academic, social and emotional competencies, positive behavioral supports, and interventions appropriate to students’ needs, classroom environments, and school climate. This position requires creativity and adaptive thinking to match teaching objectives, learning strategies, and instructional plans with student abilities. The coach will primarily build rapport with students and staff in order to assist with proactive and preventative measures, with an emphasis on Restorative Practices, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), social and emotional learning, and other strategies that support equity‑centered classroom instruction.

The role requires the ability to build relationships and work with individuals from a variety of socio‑economic and cultural backgrounds.

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Preference will be given to candidates who hold a degree in special education, psychology, sociology or social work.
• Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in general education, special education, or school counseling is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and behavior management skills.
• Valid driver’s license and availability of private transportation or the availability to attend off‑site meetings.
• Preferred experience in coaching and mentoring.
• Knowledge of adolescent social‑emotional development preferred.
• Three or more years of teaching experience highly preferred.
• Must provide evidence of acceptance into a Virginia Department of Education‑approved School Counselor licensure program within the first six (6) months of employment.
• Must begin coursework in the licensure program by the end of the first school year in which they are employed.
• Must demonstrate sufficient progress toward completion of all required coursework each school year in order to be considered for continued employment.

• Commitment to equity demonstrated by a proven track record of engaging with and improving outcomes for diverse communities and student populations.
• Ability to challenge and influence colleagues to approach all work with an equity lens grounded in strategic data points.
• Ability to engage with diverse staff, leadership, and constituents to promote trust, collaboration, and partnerships, both internal and external to the organization.
• Demonstrated reliability, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, political savvy, and sound judgment in professional matters.
• Commitment to educational equity, social justice in schools, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness.
• Ability to develop and monitor indicators of organizational culture and engage employees and senior leadership to create organizational change.
• Ability to create/design adult learning and teaching of content and skills associated with operating with an equity lens.
• Demonstrated success in raising achievement levels of traditionally under‑served students preferred.

• Work with school division and school‑based instructional staff to develop social and emotional curriculum standards and communicate these standards to staff, students, and families.
• Plan and implement programs designed to develop student character and discipline in accordance with school division and school standards.
• Teach demonstration lessons on social and emotional learning to support teachers with the integration of social and emotional learning into…