Benefits:
Health insurance
Paid time off
Training & development
Position Description:
The Lower School Physical Education Teacher is responsible for creating a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing learning environment that supports students' academic, physical and social-emotional growth of students. The ideal candidate fosters a love of movement, teamwork, and healthy habits through developmentally appropriate, standards-based instruction aligned with the SHAPE America National Standards and best practices in elementary physical education. This educator promotes students' physical literacy and overall well-being while supporting the social, emotional, and physical development of young learners. The Lower School Physical Education Teacher partners closely with colleagues, specialists, and families to ensure each student is known, supported, and challenged. At Wichita Collegiate School, we expect educators to collaborate across teams and divisions to enhance the student experience and contribute to a thriving school community.
The primary responsibilities: The primary responsibilities of a Collegiate Educator include, but are not limited to, the following:
Classroom instruction and preparation for effective, student-centered learning, including planning, lesson design, materials preparation, and responsive instruction aligned to curriculum goals and standards.
Differentiate instruction and assessment to meet the needs of a wide range of learners, using small group instruction, conferring, and targeted practice to support growth.
Assess and report on student learning, generate student commentaries, complete report cards, and prepare for and conduct parent conferences.
Support students’ social-emotional development through classroom community-building, routines, and explicit instruction in collaboration with grade-level teammates and division initiatives.
Build strong partnerships with families by communicating regularly about student learning, classroom events, developmental needs, and student growth.
Maintain equipment, manage facilities during class, and adhere to all safety protocols.
Identify student needs and collaborate with colleagues to support students’ health, behavioral, and learning needs, including participation in student support processes and follow-through on plans.
Support students’ growth in independence and foundational life skills, including developmentally appropriate skills that help students participate fully in Lower School experiences. This may include reinforcing expectations and developing skills related to play and movement (fundamentals of sports and games), as well as practical skills such as tying shoes, riding a bike, and roller skating, in coordination with families and division programming.
Contribute to team and division-wide student experiences with time and talents. This includes, but is not limited to, field trips, grade-level projects, displaying student work, hallway/bulletin board displays, assemblies, and occasional after-school activities.
Support and help plan major division events and traditions, including participation in and planning support for events such as Field Day and other community-building experiences.
Attend and participate in learning support, faculty, team, and departmental meetings as scheduled and as needed to support students and align programs.
Engage in professional learning through school-led professional development and outside opportunities as identified, demonstrating a commitment to reflective practice and growth.
Additional responsibilities that enhance the student experience are assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and at least three years of classroom experience. Advanced education or relevant professional experience may be substituted for classroom experience.
Ideal candidates demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of child development and best practices in elementary physical education.
Strong classroom management skills and the ability to engage young learners with enthusiasm and creativity.
Ability to differentiate instruction, assessment, and feedback for students of all abilities.
Ability to use various teaching methods, including individual and small group instruction, to meet the needs of students with varying abilities, attitudes, and backgrounds.
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
A commitment to equitable and culturally responsive teaching practices.
Understanding the importance of clear, timely, and rigorous feedback to students and parents/guardians.
High levels of accountability, organization, and communication with all stakeholders.
A passion and commitment to creating a supportive, joyful, and enriching classroom culture that reflects the school’s core values and teaching philosophy.
Curiosity for professional growth, development, and leadership opportunities.
A commitment to meet the Essential Expectations.
Work Environment: Lower School teachers are throughout the campus and must be able to navigate campus grounds while maintaining order among students. Teachers will occasionally be asked to lift up to 50 pounds. Teachers are expected to work at the students' level as needed, including sitting on the floor, bending, or squatting.
All Collegiate Educators are expected to be on campus from August 1 through May 31. During the school year, school hours of operation are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm; the classroom schedule varies by department. Faculty members are expected to participate in school activities to foster our sense of community; this may include time outside school hours.