Job Description

Our Mission
Bertschi School educates children to become compassionate, confident, and creative learners in a global community.

Our Values
Our community values integrity, inclusiveness, respect, diversity, and a commitment to sustainability.

Our Pedagogy
Bertschi School believes that students learn best when they are

• safe and known in an inclusive community that values diverse perspectives
• supported in developing social-emotional skills
• provided academic choice and challenge at their “just right level”
• engaged in meaningful work
• encouraged to problem solve through inquiry, trial, and error
• empowered to take risks and make change 
• given opportunities to collaborate and dialogue with a diverse group of learners

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Bertschi School values diversity and believes engaging our differences makes us better and stronger. We welcome and honor the unique contributions of people from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities, learning styles, physical abilities, and sexual orientations. Our commitment to equity drives us to be inclusive and diverse in all areas of our school.

Our School

Bertschi School, founded in 1975, is a Washington State approved elementary school. We are a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). The school serves children from pre-kindergarten through grade five. Bertschi School is an exciting environment for professionals who like to be part of a dynamic team and who thrive on the challenges and rewards of working with an active community. The staff enjoys a salary and benefit package in line with other independent private schools in the Northwest.

Position Summary This position supports the social and emotional learning of Bertschi School students.  Chief responsibilities include working in close partnership with faculty concerning:

• Support students in crisis 
• Assist in creating and implementing  behavior plans for students with learning specialists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, extended day staff and educational psychologists, under the supervision of the director of learning services and the assistant head of school
• Support students in conflict mediation as needed 
• Lead upper and lower elementary social skills groups during student lunches
• Utilize evidence based curriculum for social emotional learning and introduce new practices and materials as they are developed
• Lead professional development regarding students with particular emotional needs
• Observe students with emotional challenges in various classes and support creating and implementing success plans
• Work with teachers to provide structures to help students develop skills related to executive function including emotional regulation, organization, and/or attentional challenges
• Work with parents and teachers when discussing social/emotional concerns at school and what the best next steps would be in and outside the school
• Work in partnership with teachers to communicate with families regarding a child’s social emotional needs and provide family or parenting referrals as needed. 
• Lead Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in classrooms as needed and work with teachers to improve the overall social and emotional health of students
• Provide referrals when a student is in need of regular therapeutic care
• Monitor the progress of children with social emotional challenges  to determine if improvement is being made .
• Fulfill administrative support roles as assigned (drop off, pick up, recess coverage, etc.)

Other responsibilities

Assisting the school in finding appropriate local resources and maintaining strict confidentiality of student information and records.   Other duties may be assigned as varying scenarios at the school or individual situations with a student may arise.   

This position reports to the Assistant Head of School, but also works in close connection with the Director of Learning Services whose chief responsibilities lie in the area of academic and learning challenges.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in related field and 3-5 years of experience in elementary school counseling
• Have a high degree of professional discretion and confidentiality
• Strong commitment to the building of relationships
• Communicates effectively and professionally, verbally and in writing 
• Has clear boundaries 
• Ability to work independently
• Experience working within teams in multiple departments of an organization
• High degree of cultural competency and demonstrated success in working with people from diverse backgrounds

Bertschi School offers competitive compensation and benefits, resources for professional growth, and a sense of shared mission and accomplishment. Bertschi School promotes a culture that encourages life balance and a healthy work environment where students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and spirit. Mentoring programs and affinity groups are available for faculty. Salaries and benefits are in line with other independent private schools in the Northwest. For more information, visit our website at

Application Process:

No phone calls will be accepted. Interested candidates are invited to complete the Bertschi application form and submit a cover letter and resume to Counselor Search employment@bertschi.org

Please submit materials in PDF format.

Bertschi School is an equal opportunity employer seeking a more culturally diverse workplace. Bertschi School welcomes faculty and staff  from various backgrounds  of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

About Bertschi SChool

Bertschi School, founded in 1975, is a Washington State approved elementary school. We are an accredited member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The school serves children from pre-kindergarten through grade five. Bertschi School educates children to become compassionate, confident and creative learners in a global community.

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