Elementary School Counselor
0.5 - 0.6 FTE Salaried Position Beginning October 2024
Salary prorated by FTE & based on faculty salary scale position
(with annualized salary range of $61k to $110k)
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 www.bertschi.org/jobs
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.