About Mastery
Founded in 2001, Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 23 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving more than 14,000 students.
At Mastery, we’re on a mission to provide all students with the academic and personal skills they need to succeed after graduation and pursue their dreams. Student achievement is not just a goal for our organization; it's the reason we exist, and every member of our team is dedicated to securing student success. We are also committed to pursuing equity, actively disrupting systemic racism, and addressing the disparities that limit our students' choices.
Our culture is built on respect, service, and the belief that the success of our students, their families, and the communities we serve will help us achieve our mission. We foster a positive, open, and inclusive environment where honesty, humor, and continuous improvement are celebrated.
Join us in creating a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Position Summary
The Classroom Counselor supports students with emotional and behavioral challenges, helping them develop skills to succeed in both special education and general education settings. This role provides academic and behavioral support, implements positive behavior interventions, and collaborates with educators to maintain a structured, supportive classroom environment.
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Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide small-group academic support, reinforcing learning strategies and engagement.
- Teach and reinforce positive behaviors to promote student self-regulation and social-emotional growth.
- Build strong relationships with students, staff, and families to support student development.
- Collect and maintain behavioral data to track progress and guide interventions.
- Assist in de-escalating and managing student crises, implementing appropriate intervention techniques.
- Collaborate with teachers to implement Positive Behavior Support (PBS) plans and create structured classroom environments.
- Work as part of a team to promote a positive and inclusive classroom culture.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support student and school needs.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of behavioral management strategies, trauma-informed practices, and positive behavior interventions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with students, staff, and families.
- Ability to implement and reinforce behavior intervention plans in collaboration with teachers and specialists.
- Strong de-escalation skills and ability to respond to student crises using appropriate intervention techniques.
- Ability to adapt and problem-solve in a fast-paced school environment.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in behavioral support strategies.
Education and Experience
- Associate’s degree (or at least 60 college credits) or passing score on the ParaPro exam required (Education-related field preferred).
- Minimum of one (1) year experience working with adolescents in a school setting preferred and/ or experience supporting students receiving special education services (preferred).
Physical Requirements
• This role may involve physical activities such as assisting students in a classroom setting, physically supporting students in crisis, and sitting for extended periods while completing documentation; reasonable accommodations will be made as needed.
Salary and Bonus Information
This role is eligible for a $500 signing bonus!
New classroom counselors start at an hourly rate of $24.18 with Mastery offering up to $29.62, based on education and experience. Hourly rates range from $24.18 to $40.49, with growth opportunities as your career progresses.
This is a part-time role where you will work a total of 29 hours/week, Monday-Friday.
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Mastery's Benefits Package
We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Some of our most popular benefits include our 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery for full-time employees), enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees, a robust Employee Assistance Program, mental health and counseling programs, an annual Professional Development Fund, and discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more, as well as access to the HealthAdvocate Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics. Please go here to see all of our Benefits offerings [https://masterycharter.org/benefitsinfo]!
Annual Calendar
As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our calendar here [https://masterycharter.org/calendar/month/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=28&tribe_eventcategory%5B1%5D=27&tribe_eventcategory%5B2%5D=30]. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!
Why You Should Apply
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. Mastery may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
