Elementary Substitute Teacher

Stratford School, part of Spring Education Group, is a leading independent WASC-accredited private school in California offering courses from preschool through 12 th grade with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional educational foundation for children. At Stratford School, we understand every child has his or her own interests and passions and contributes in their own way. Our proven program includes our STEAM-based curriculum that was recognized by the White House as a leader in early childhood STEAM education, and we are also the first California school to earn the Carnegie Science Seal of Excellence for STEM.

Campuses: 301 De Montfort Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112 & 75 Francis Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Assignment: Temporary, January–May
Compensation: $3,250–$3,400 bi-weekly
Reports To: Head of School/Principal

Position Overview

Stratford School is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered Temporary School Counselor to support students across our elementary and middle school campuses in San Francisco. This position will provide short-term, school-based counseling and social-emotional support while partnering closely with students, families, teachers, and school leadership.

The School Counselor will serve as a visible and trusted resource within the school community, supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students. This role will travel between our two San Francisco campuses, with mileage/travel reimbursement provided for travel between campuses.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced counselor or school-based mental health professional who enjoys working in a dynamic educational environment and building strong relationships with students, families, and educators.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide short-term, school-based counseling to elementary and middle school students in individual and group settings.
• Facilitate peer mediation, restorative conversations, and restorative conferences.
• Support the development and implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) programming across the school.
• Provide teachers and parents with guidance and strategies for supporting students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or interpersonal challenges.
• Develop and implement student behavior support plans as appropriate.
• Recommend outside resources and support services for students and families when additional services are needed.
• Assess and respond to student concerns and crisis situations in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• Participate as a member of the school's crisis management and response team.
• Design and deliver bi-weekly social-emotional learning lessons across classes to enhance student learning, engagement, and well-being.
• Develop and manage an educational feature for the weekly parent newsletter to promote transparent and meaningful home-school communication.
• Facilitate professional development and hands-on training for educators during staff meetings.
• Develop and facilitate educational workshops for students, parents, faculty, and the broader school community as needed.
• Collaborate with the school team in reviewing requests for reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, communicate with outside support specialists.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate records related to student interventions, accommodations, communications, and progress.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, teachers, and school leadership.
• Travel between the two San Francisco campuses as needed to support students and school operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to creating a joyful, loving, respectful, safe, and supportive learning environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and teachers.
• Strong understanding of the social-emotional needs of elementary and middle school students.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple student needs and caseloads.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with educators, administrators, families, and outside professionals.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning as a collaborative member of a school team.
• Commitment to supporting Stratford School's educational philosophy and community values.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of professional experience working with elementary and/or middle school students.
• Experience providing counseling, behavioral support, social-emotional programming, or related student support services.
• Experience developing or implementing social-emotional learning programming.
• Demonstrated ability to respond appropriately and professionally to sensitive student and family situations.
• Willingness and ability to help develop and implement programs and processes within a school environment.
• Ability to travel between two San Francisco campuses as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in School Counseling, School Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• School counseling or school psychology credential/license, as applicable.
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification or other relevant professional credential.
• Experience working as a school-based counselor, preferably within an independent or private school setting.
• Experience supporting both elementary and middle school students.
• Experience developing SEL curriculum, facilitating restorative practices, or providing staff training.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In general, this position requires an individual to frequently walk, stand, sit, squat, stoop, reach, kneel, rise from the floor, twist, listen, read, write, and speak the English language. In addition, this position often requires an individual to carry, lift, use repetitive or fine hand movements, and occasionally push, pull, or bend. This position is regularly required to hear and use clear vision with or without correction. Spring Education Group, including, but not limited to SEG Inc., and their affiliates (collectively “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants for employment and employees are provided equal employment opportunities, including in recruitment, hiring, and assignment, without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion and religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or familial status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. The Company expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee or student harassment or discrimination.