Fourth Grade Lead Teacher 26.27

Location: Seattle, Washington | Full-time school-year position starting August 2026

About Us

Bertschi School, founded in 1975, is a Washington State-approved elementary school serving children from pre-kindergarten through grade five. We are a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).

Our mission is to educate children to become compassionate, confident, and creative learners in a global community. We value integrity, inclusiveness, respect, diversity, and a commitment to sustainability.

Our Pedagogy

• 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

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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.

About the Role

The Fourth Grade Lead Teacher is a full-time school-year position. The teacher will work closely with an experienced grade-level partner teacher and teaching associate to plan, deliver, and assess an enriched and differentiated grade-level curriculum. This role also involves active participation in the community life of the school, including staff meetings, in-service days, and task forces as needed.

Responsibilities

Classroom Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, deliver, and assess academic and social-emotional curricula in collaboration with grade-level partner, teaching associate, specialist teachers, learning services department, instructional coach, director of community and belonging, and associate head of school
• Engage a variety of teaching strategies suitable to the needs of the students and subject matter
• Create and maintain a classroom culture based on the mission and values of the school
• Employ learning for justice standards that align with the school’s commitment to equity and inclusion
• Understand the mission, values, and policies of the school and use these to identify and solve student, curricular, and school issues with appropriate professional conduct, keeping supervisors apprised
• Communicate openly and directly with parent partners
• Initiate growth and change for intellectual and professional development

Other Responsibilities

• Attend community meetings, curriculum meetings, and in-service days
• Participate in faculty work aligned with the strategic plan
• Continue refining practices to serve diverse students and their families
• Write student evaluations twice a year according to the school calendar
• Conduct parent conferences
• Participate in Spring Art Showcase, Grandparents/Special Friends Day, Back to School Night, Admissions Open House, and other stewardship opportunities
• Manage classroom budget, order school supplies, and compile textbook orders
• Write classroom newsletters once a month with grade-level partner

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree
• Teaching certification preferred
• Graduate degree in education or related field preferred
• Classroom teaching experience at the upper elementary level for a minimum of four years preferred
• Experience teaching diverse student populations preferred

Pay

Salary range: $65,000 - $118,000 depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits

Bertschi School offers competitive compensation and benefits in line with other independent private schools in the Northwest, including resources for professional growth and a culture that encourages life balance and a healthy work environment.