Kindergarten – 2nd Grade PE Teacher

Mission Statement: St. Paul’s prepares students to be confident and skilled learners, cultivates in them a strong sense of purpose, and inspires them to be generous and active citizens of the world.

St. Paul’s Episcopal School, located across from Lake Merritt in Oakland, enrolls approximately 380 students from diverse backgrounds in Kindergarten – Grade 8. St. Paul’s provides an education that is intellectually challenging, culturally pluralistic, and morally and spiritually enriching. Caring, committed faculty members, in partnership with parents, serve as role models, mentors and guides. St. Paul’s has an academically talented and ethnically diverse student body and seeks the same in its faculty.

Position Summary

This Kindergarten- 2nd Grade PE Teacher position is a lead teaching position for grades K-2. The ideal candidate is a dynamic individual who has had prior experience working with early elementary physical education teaching. In addition to partnering with the physical education team to deliver and execute a developmentally appropriate physical education program that aligns with national standards, this individual will also partner with the local YMCA to continue providing swim classes for our K-2 students throughout the academic year.

This individual will be committed to continuing to develop their teaching craft with a growth mindset, be adept at communicating effectively with both children and adults, and will foster a developmentally appropriate cooperative learning environment for their students.

Additional responsibilities will include coverage for recesses, arrival/dismissal, lunch duty, participation in committee work, and active engagement in our community-wide diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) work.

The students are supported by Specialists in science, physical education, music, Spanish, and library.

Job Responsibilities:

-Work in partnership with the 3-5 and 6-8 physical education teachers in planning and teaching K-2 physical education in a developmentally appropriate manner, with an emphasis on fairness, conflict resolution, and personal best.
-Engage children in developing an appreciation for life-long health and fitness behaviors.
-Develop curricula using a backward design approach, incorporating effective strategies for differentiation and assessment.
-Create an inclusive class environment through regular group check-ins, supportive exchanges with students and clear expectations for community behavior.
-Collaborate with other classroom and additional Specialist teachers to provide and develop an integrated approach to curriculum.
-Work and communicate effectively with parents in formal (when requested) and informal conferences, through report cards containing written comments, and bi-weekly newsletters.
-Organize and implement special activities such as the Olympiad with fellow physical education teachers.
-Work in partnership with 3-5 and 6-8 physical education teachers to coordinate shared facilities, equipment, and curriculum.
-Participate in special events such as the Walk-A-Thon and Admissions Open Houses.
-Be a positive and contributing member of the professional community
-Perform all other assigned school-related duties (e.g., recess/lunch supervision, meetings, committee work, etc.)
-Engage in curriculum development, mapping, and planning
-Engage in active diversity, equity, and inclusion work that supports the mission of the school
-Serve as a coach for two (out of the three seasons) in the after-school sports program

Minimum Qualifications

-Bachelor’s degree
-1-3 years early elementary physical education teaching experience (preferred)
-Background in creative movement and movement exploration (preferred)
-Competence and familiarity with teaching multiple academic subjects
-Flexible and able to handle transitions effectively
-Value collegiality with other teachers and administrators
-Has a warm and energetic personality, good sense of humor, and interest in working with teams
-A commitment to cultural competency, antiracist pedagogy, and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
-The ability to foster strong student connections
-Practices excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with both children and adults
-Strong organization, planning, and classroom management skills
-Demonstrates warmth toward children and a good sense of humor
-Values collegiality with other teachers and administrators
-Wants to learn and is willing to accept direction and guidance
-Is able to provide meaningful support for the lead classroom teacher
-Takes initiative and pays attention to detail
-Shares ideas and insights about teaching and learning

This is a 1.0 FTE. Salary range for this position is $64,000 to $96,000, depending on education and experience. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume, and references, addressed to Nayo Brooks, Director of Lower School (nbrooks@spes.org). The start date is August 16, 2023.

St. Paul’s is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, age, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. St. Paul’s is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay and other forms of compensation, training, and other terms and conditions of employment.