Music Therapy Counselor, One-Year Appointment, King Open

Music Therapy Counselor (One-Year Appointment), 0.67 FTE

King Open School

About King Open School Community

The King Open's commitment statement reads, "The King Open is committed to increasing every student's ability to monitor her or his own learning, to recognize the role of effort in learning, and to work and succeed independently as well as cooperatively." Through differentiation and academic rigor, we provide our students with a well-rounded education that enables them to develop critical and flexible thinking capacities, collaboration skills, and a work ethic that prepares them to become productive citizens. We know that this commitment cannot be fully realized without the support of our families. Therefore, participation and feedback from parent/guardian/caregiver(s) is welcomed, and we are also committed to ensuring that all of our families are deeply connected with their child's learning and the happenings in our school community.

Positive attitudes and perceptions influence teaching and learning. Here at the King Open, it is our shared responsibility to maintain and cultivate positive attitudes and perceptions as we work together to create and plan activities. An authentic respect for diversity, as evidenced by a sincere effort to learn about our students and to incorporate culturally responsive pedagogy into our day-to-day routines, will have a significant impact on creating/sustaining a safe, orderly, and high-achieving school community. We create opportunities for our students to acquire, integrate, extend, and refine content, as well as use it meaningfully, so that they develop the skills needed to actively explore and investigate the ever-changing world. Finally, reviewing student work and assessment data will enable the King Open staff to make informed decisions about instruction, with the goal of intentionally closing gaps in student learning and significantly increasing student achievement.

The Opportunity

The King Open is seeking a talented Music Therapy Counselor to join our caring and innovative learning community. The successful candidate will have experience planning and implementing district adopted curricula. They will set high expectations for all students and utilize scaffolding and differentiation to support students. The teacher will have an appreciation and awareness of the unique developmental needs of young people in this age band. As a professional, the teacher will display a collegial spirit that supports and enhances continual professional growth consistent with the educational goals and philosophies of the King Open and be fully committed to continuously learning, improving, reflecting, and working together as a community to ensure that all students achieve at high levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide engaging, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, client-centered, strengths-based individual and group music therapy sessions
• Collaborate with clients, teachers, interdisciplinary team, and caregivers to set clinical goals
• Complete documentation such as intakes, assessments, periodic progress notes, and annual progress reports as needed
• Design and implement music therapy interventions that help students:
• Alleviate and cope with stress and anxiety
• Increase emotional regulation and impulse control
• Expand their ability to stay in class
• Decrease isolation and build friendships
• Reduce harmful and undesired behaviors
• Improve cognitive skills and academic performance
• Increase self-expression and self-understanding
• Increase their motivation and engagement in school

Other Duties

• Provide whole class drop-in sessions around the monthly SEL themes and other classroom support as requested
• Provide periodic music wellbeing sessions for teachers and staff to reduce stress, lift spirits, and build community
• Offer in-service presentations to staff and families as needed to enhance understanding of music therapy and its benefits within the CPS system
• Other duties as assigned

Your Skill Set

As the incoming Music Therapy Counselor, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• MT-BC (Music Therapy Board Certification) required
• Required Educator License from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE): School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor and LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC
• Master's Degree in music therapy, mental health counseling, or related field
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Ability to effectively plan, facilitate, and document music therapy sessions
• Proficiency in clinical improvisation, voice, guitar, keyboard, music technology, and songwriting
• Excellent communication skills in conversing with students, educators, staff, administrators, families, and other educational partners
• Experience with school-based music therapy
• Must be able to move and distribute instruments and/or accompanying accessories weighing up to 20 pounds

Preferred qualifications include:

• Multilingual skills are a plus but not required (Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole)
• Ability to supervise music therapy interns and practicum students
• LMHC licensed or pending

How to Join Our Team

Apply online at Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.