Job Summary:
Greene Street Friends School seeks an enthusiastic, responsible, and developmentally minded Lead Counselor to serve as a core classroom leader in Greene Street Summer Friends, the School’s Preschool–Kindergarten summer program for children ages 3–5.

The Lead Counselor is responsible for fostering a joyful, safe, and engaging classroom environment rooted in inquiry, play, and community. Working in close partnership with an Assistant Counselor, the Lead Counselor designs and facilitates daily learning experiences aligned with GSFS’s early childhood philosophy, emphasizing social-emotional development, creativity, exploration, playbased and experiential learning, and strong relationship-building.

This is a seasonal, full-day summer position ideal for educators, camp professionals, graduate
students, or youth development practitioners seeking meaningful work with young children in a
mission-driven school setting.

The successful candidate will demonstrate reliability, warmth, sound judgment, and a strong
commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student well-being.

Employee Classification

Seasonal/Non-Exempt

Position Type/Work Hours

Full-time

Reports to:

Director of Auxiliary Programming

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Core Duties/Responsibilities:

• Support the Lead Summer Camp Counselor in implementing daily activities and routines.
• Supervise children during play, transitions, outdoor exploration, lunch, and rest time.
• Assist with inquiry-based activities, art projects, storytelling, and sensory experiences.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through positive guidance and encouragement.
• Assist with arrival and dismissal procedures.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all children at all times.
• Support enrichment experiences and other activities as assigned.
• Model kindness, patience, and respectful communication.
• Follow GSFS policies and procedures related to child supervision and safety.
• Collaborate with colleagues and program leadership as a responsible team member.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficient with Google Suite or related software
• A deep understanding of early childhood development and a passion for play-based learning.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a co-teaching model and adapt to the needs of young children

Education and Experience:

• Prior teaching experience
• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree or experience in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred.
• At least 1–2 years of experience working with preschool-aged children in a classroom or childcare setting.
• Documented prior experience in a classroom/education setting, experience in independent and Quaker schools is highly desirable
• A love of working with young students

About Greene Street Friends School

Founded in 1855, Greene Street Friends School has operated continuously in central Germantown section of Philadelphia. The school’s curriculum emphasizes Quaker values, academic strength, and cultural competence. Greene Street graduates attend the top private and public magnet high schools, the largest percentage attending Central High School. Since the mid-1960’s the school has implemented a mission-based business model that prioritizes financial accessibility, with an enrollment of 45% - 55% students of color. Over the past twenty years, the school has doubled both in enrollment and campus size. Current enrollment is 320 students on a campus of three acres. The annual budget is $5M, no debt.

Connections working at Greene Street Friends School