The Middle School Counselor provides comprehensive counseling services for grades 5-8, focusing on academic, career, and social-emotional development, while managing and utilizing student data to meet improvement goals. This role involves delivering targeted interventions, consulting with specialists, advocating for students, and ensuring accurate record-keeping for successful transitions.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in counseling from an accredited institution and hold the required Tennessee State Certification/License in school counseling. The position demands responsibility, reliability, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage and analyze student data accurately.
Family/Function:83 - Social Services and Counselors\Counseling
Services
FLSA:Exempt
Grade
Ladder:MNPS
Certificated
Teacher
Pay
Grade:MNPS.216_
Duration (days/year):206/216
Locations(s):School-Based
We Are Team MNPS Metro Schools is one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States.
Our teachers and staff educate more than 80,000 students in Metro Nashville-Davidson County, preparing them to excel in higher education, work, and life.
Our district implements some of the most innovative reform strategies in the nation.
We seek to partner with highly effective, engaging teachers, teacher leaders and support staff with a passion for urban education and a go-getter spirit as we strive to become the highest-performing urban district in the nation.
Whether you are a teacher, an administrator, or a potential support staff employee, if you want to make a difference, we want to hear from you.
Job Summary
The Middle School Counselor holds a certified position which provides comprehensive counseling services in grades 5-8 based on team/grade level as assigned by the principal. The MS counselor must manage, analyze, and utilize data from Infinite Campus, Data Warehouse, and other district SIS databases to meet school improvement goals and students' academic, career and social-emotional needs. The job requires a person that is responsible, reliable, dependable and who understands the imperative to ensure that students' transcripts, records, schedules, academic, college, and career plans are accurate and lead to successful transition to high school. In addition, the MS counselor must have excellent customer service and communication skills.
What you will do
Delivers comprehensive counseling services, activities, programs, and interventions critical to the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
Supports district and school improvement goals for student growth and achievement, and college and career readiness including the five characteristics of a elementary school student.
Knowledgeable in state and district graduation requirements as well as guidelines in the Middle School Student Progression Plan.
Informed in the MNPS Academy structure at the high school level.
Develops a written, annual plan which is data driven and includes measurable goals which are appropriately scoped and sequenced based on the needs of the school and students.
Completes program accountability documents as assigned by the Office of School Counseling.
Utilizes the Early Warning Indicators to implement targeted interventions for at-risk students.
Administers needs assessments regularly to identify and prioritize school and student needs.
Advocates and intervenes on behalf of each student whose immediate needs, concerns, or problems are distracting or impeding his/her academic, career, and/or personal/social development.
Supports district strategic plan including initiatives and programs to address student needs (i.e. HERO liaison, SEL, PBL, Olweus, PBIS, cluster support meetings, etc.)
Enters data on the Supports and Intervention page after student contacts.
Consults and collaborates with school system specialists such as school psychologists, social workers, behavior analysts, truancy specialists and nurses; consults with and refers to community-based resources including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, service agencies, and others.
Actively increases student participation in advanced academic courses.
Aligns college and career readiness initiatives to the NOSCA college and career readiness competencies for the middle school tier.
Collaborates with elementary and high school personnel to ensure a smooth transition from tier to tier.
Provides orientation activities for incoming students and parents.
Informs students and parents of tests results and their implications for educational and career planning.
Conducts structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions to meet the identified needs of individuals and groups of students.
Plans and conducts staff development programs and activities as well as educational programming for parents and the community.
Demonstrates program accountability using data to document the results of strategies and interventions that are used to improve student academic performance.
Partners with administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the community to remove barriers to student success and to close the achievement gap.
Uses the skills of leadership, advocacy and collaboration to create systemic change to improve the academic success of all students.
Protects confidentiality of records and information about students and staff. Must use discretion and adhere to all state laws and district policies when sharing any such information.
Understands and follows oral and written directives accurately, timely, and with a positive attitude.
Ensures accuracy of input and output data.
Always meet schedules and timelines.
Performs related duties as assigned for emergency and/or crisis procedures; serves on the district crisis team when needed.
Attends trainings as needed to learn new procedures or increase ability in use of data, technology, and other district initiatives.
Displays the highest ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school staff, and outside agencies associated with the school. Serve as a role model for students and staff demonstrating positive attitudes, appropriate attire and grooming, arriving on-time to work/meetings and maintaining an effective work ethic.
Readily reacts to change in a positive manner.
Pursues professional growth by attending state and district workshops/conferences; keeps abreast of new information, innovative ideas and techniques.
Guides students through the development of a Collegefortn.org student account.
Provides for the systematic and efficient dissemination of current, accurate information needed by students and/or parents as they develop their educational and/or career plans.
Education Qualifications
Master's Degree in counseling from an accredited institution Required
Licenses and Certifications
This position requires Tennessee State Certification/License in school counseling Required
Equivalency Starting At
$52,048.58
Salaries are determined by factors relevant to the position which may include education, experience, and other qualifications.
Final compensation decisions are made at the discretion of MNPS in alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
The stated salary range for certificated teaching positions is calculated based on 201 days and should be viewed as a reference.
All provided salary ranges serve as a general guideline.
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all individuals.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our global community.
We strive to treat all employees and applicants with respect and fairness, and we make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires MNPS to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.
Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
At Metro Nashville Public Schools, we use detailed academic, behavior and social-emotional data to ensure every student in the district is known and our staff makes a concerted effort to tune into students' interests, passions, learning styles and needs. We focus on creating and supporting rigorous, engaging and personalized learning experiences for all students to identify and eliminate inequities - so every student has a clear and achievable path to success marked by measurable goals.
Offering a range of program and opportunities, MNPS has options to fit every family's needs. Whether you are looking for advanced academics, visual and performing arts, special education services, English language support or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) educational programs, we offer the best choices to meet individual student needs - starting at Pre-K all the way through graduation.
Our Vision Metro Nashville Public Schools will be established as the premier large school district in Tennessee and beyond by ensuring that every student is known.
Our Mission We deliver a great public education to every student, every day.
Our Core Values Core values drive and focus our collective commitments included in our mission and vision. These values reflect the principles that guide our internal conduct, as well as our relationships with the external community. Our core values are woven throughout our goals, high-level strategies, and performance measures.
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all individuals.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our global community.
We strive to treat all employees and applicants with respect and fairness, and we make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires MNPS to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.
Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
Market context
Tennessee school counseling roles stay in demand
In Tennessee, school counseling roles are typically driven by ongoing student support needs, staffing coverage, and district efforts to strengthen academic and social-emotional services. Competition often centers on candidates who already hold the required Tennessee school counseling license, bring a master’s degree, and can show strong communication, reliability, and comfort using student data to guide decisions. Before applying, confirm your certification status and review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time compared with reading the full original posting.
