Posted: 06-Feb-26
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Employment Opportunity at Stanley British Primary School
Position:
Upper Elementary School Counselor and SEL Teacher
Position to begin August 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year. This position reports to the Head of 3-4-5 and is charged with providing counseling support to students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade as well as teaching weekly proactive social-emotional lessons. We are seeking candidates with a strong understanding of child development and an appreciation of the challenges students face in upper elementary school.
About Stanley BPS:
Stanley British Primary School, located in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood, is a progressive independent school serving 477 children from Pre- kindergarten through 8th grade. For over 50 years, Stanley classrooms have been filled with engaged learners guided by inspired teachers. At Stanley, a child's education goes well beyond academics - our teachers and our instruction principles give children the opportunity to reach their full potential academically, creatively, socially, emotionally and physically. We asked parents, teachers, staff and students to reflect on why they chose Stanley BPS. The answers we heard reflect a place and a philosophy unlike any other in the Denver independent school landscape. Teaching and learning at Stanley goes beyond a simple education. Students here have a chance to play, to choose, to interact and to own and embrace their own learning. SBPS is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive school community. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
We value:
- An inclusive and diverse community
- Joyfulness
- Lifelong learning
- Positive and constructive communication
- Creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness
- An understanding of children and childhood
- Commitment to making a positive difference in the world
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide individual school counseling for students needing extra support.
- Support students with social-emotional growth by facilitating small groups with targeted goals.
- Teach 10 SEL classes per week on topics that are pertinent to third, fourth, and fifth-grade students.
- Respond to students in emotional distress as needed and in consultation with classroom teachers, Learning Specialists, Families, and the Head of 3-4-5.
- Create and update behavior support plans for students as needed, with specific social, emotional, or mental health goals, and communicate with the Head of 3-4-5, classroom teachers, and learning specialists about these plans to ensure they are implemented appropriately.
- Communicate with families and teachers when a child needs social-emotional support.
- Connect with outside therapists working with 3-4-5 students to ensure continuity of care for students.
- Communicate more broadly to grade level and/or all-school constituencies around topics of relevance (such as: stress, mindfulness, bullying, healthy eating habits, self-care, human development). This communication might include updates on best practices or current strategies being considered in schools, and could take the form of updates in the weekly newsletter, communications from the Head of 3-4-5, grade-level coffee chats, presenting at team meetings, collaborating with PK-8 counselors, etc.
- When appropriate, participate in planning and collaboration related to cross-division parent education events, and in consultation with school administrators.
- Attend faculty meetings to proactively share information about strategies to support students of concern and to coordinate communication and support plans.
- Maintain records of student information as related to their social emotional development.
- Maintain a network of local, outside mental health professionals and make referrals to outside resources when warranted.
- Coordinate health and human development curriculums for students yearly, and coordinate related communication and caregiver education.
- Coordinate grade-level community-building activities four times per year.
- Maintain and adhere to the school’s policies on confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and harassment and bullying.
- Support division head with the second to third grade transition, including information sessions for parents as well as classroom placements.
- Participate in the school-based crisis team and threat assessment team as appropriate.
- Assist with duties as needed, such as carline, recess, lunch and other duties as assigned.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
- Commit to a flexible schedule that includes night and weekend consultation and communication with the faculty, administrators, and families.
- Participate in all full-staff professional development, and any social-emotional teacher specific trainings, particularly related to confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and harassment.
- Involvement in student-life activities including school assemblies, grade-level community building field trips, and traveling on overnight trips to Cal-Wood.
- Assist in leading family group meetings, which are dedicated to social-emotional learning in groups of TK-8 learners and faculty and staff.
- Take a proactive approach to stay engaged with mental health and social-emotional education trends within independent schools.
Desired Qualifications and Background Experience:
- An appreciation for and understanding of Stanley British Primary’s philosophy of education, including the seven goals for learners of self-awareness, collaboration, respect, curiosity, perseverance, academic resourcefulness, and joyful, lifelong learning
- A deep enjoyment of working with kids and getting to know them as individual people, honoring and valuing each individual child.
- A commitment to, enjoyment of, and appreciation of the development needs of third, fourth and fifth-grade students.
- A commitment to improving one’s craft and growing professionally, modeling the joyful, lifelong learning we seek to impart on our students.
- A bachelor’s degree is required; the ideal applicant for this position will have a master's or doctorate degree in Counseling, Psychology or Social Work, with current licensure in Colorado and experience as a teacher or counselor at the upper elementary level.
- Experience teaching third, fourth and fifth graders preferred
- Experience working in a diverse environment.
- Highly organized and attentive to detail, able to keep track of a wide variety of dates, deadlines, and logistics.
- A willingness to pitch in and help out wherever needed.
- A self-starter who is attentive to the needs of individual faculty and of the overall 3-4-5 team.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Familiarity and comfort with a range of technology, including the Google platform.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary range is $57,000 - $88,000 based on experience and education
The salary range listed is just one component of Stanley’s total compensation for employees. Stanley offers wide-ranging opportunities to supplement individual salary with stipends. Stanley provides excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement, paid time off in addition to paid fall, holiday and spring breaks, tuition remission and professional development.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Stanley BPS is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of Stanley BPS, including admissions, employment and access to services and programs.
To Apply:
To initiate an application, send a cover letter and resume to:
Susan Farr
Stanley British Primary School
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
susan.farr@stanleybps.org
Interviews will start as resumes are received. We will be accepting resumes until our position is filled.