Get to Know Ms. Pinsberg, GOA’s New Guidance Counselor

By Sophie Indiana Fischer ‘23
Over the 2021-2022 school year, there have been many new additions to the GOA faculty. One of these great new members is guidance counselor Ms. Orli Pinsberg, who works with the sixth, tenth and eleventh grades, and brings a new spirit to the GOA table, including a love of Jewish learning and connecting with students outside of regular learning environments. 

Junior Tali Goldman said, “It is always great to see Ms. Pinsberg in the hallway and say hello. She genuinely cares about students’ well-being and success both inside and outside of school.”
Not only is Ms. Pinsberg a guidance counselor at GOA, but she is also the faculty advisor for the Womens’ Empowerment Club, a member of the Health and Wellness Committee and a co-leader of the Sunshine Club for the faculty and staff. 
Ms. Pinsberg grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and was raised by Israeli parents. During her childhood, she participated in school musicals, played piano, spoke three languages and danced jazz. She also attended a Solomon Schechter Day School and went to Ramah Wisconsin. 
From an early age, Judaism played an important role in her life. “I followed in my siblings’ footsteps and became very active in Emtza Region USY,” Ms. Pinsberg said about her Jewish life as a child. 
After high school, Ms. Pinsberg went to Washington University in St. Louis and earned a BA in Psychology. 
“I attended college in my hometown and liked the balance between spending time with family and socializing with new friends on campus,” she said. “I was active at Hillel, a tutor for Latino students and a member of Delta Gamma sorority.”
Out of college, she spent time as a community organizer for the international organization Moishe House. There, she planned organizations for young Jewish adults in the St. Louis community. 
After spending time in another graduate program, Ms. Pinsberg realized her passion for counseling. She attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis where she received her M.Ed in school counseling. 
“I loved graduate school and was honored to receive the Outstanding School Counseling Student award my last year in the program,” she said. “I am a nationally certified counselor.”
From there, Ms. Pinsberg has explored various opportunities in her field, including working in research, teaching Hebrew at Jewish day schools and counseling for elementary students.
“My experiences in a middle school and high school prepared me for my current position at GOA,” Ms. Pinsberg said. 
After moving to the East Coast to be closer to family, Ms. Pinsberg made her way to GOA. In her free time, she loves to read, go to the movies, watch musicals and travel. Ms. Pinsberg also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as exploring museums and going to restaurants. 
Ms. Pinsberg particularly likes GOA’s sense of community. She loves the supportive nature of both the staff and students, as well as the collaboration that her job entails. 
 “I was very impressed by the amount of experiential education the school provides,” she said. “I also enjoy staffing the Shabbatonim and interacting with students and staff in a non-academic setting.”
“GOA is the perfect fit,” Ms. Pinsberg concludes.