What are the responsibilities and job description for the K-8 PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER position at Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning?
The PE Teacher will contribute to AcadmeyACL’s highly challenging and highly supportive school climate by aligning with best practices in gifted education to teach our K-8 students proper techniques for various sports and exercises, ensuring safety and appropriate progression based on skill level. Additionally they will educate students about the importance of nutrition, regular physical activity, and making healthy choices to maintain overall well-being.
Educational Requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree or higher
Colorado licensure strongly preferred
Familiarity with gifted education preferred
Required skills and qualifications:
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Strong personal physical fitness and ability to demonstrate exercises and participate actively in physical activities
Knowledge of various sports, exercise techniques, and principles of physical fitness
Excellent Written and verbal communication skills
Excellent people-skills including demonstrated advocacy, conflict-resolution, and partnership skills with students, co-teachers, parents, stakeholders, and community members
Organizational skills and ability to plan and manage lessons, equipment, and student rotations efficiently
Leadership qualities including the ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment, encouraging teamwork, cooperation, and kindness
Understanding and willingness to collaborate with specialists (such as school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, school nurses, etc.) to support learners with a variety of gifted educational needs and intensities
First aid and safety training
Personal Growth Mindset that welcomes and applies coaching feedback and celebrates goal achievement
Instructional Expectations:
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Teach three 50 minute classes per day, one each to a Primary Division (Kindergarten or 1st/2nd Grades), Middle Division (3rd/4th Grades), and Upper Division (5th/6the Grades or 7th/8th Grades) homeroom.
Maintain a safe and positive learning environment by enforcing rules, managing student behavior, and addressing any safety concerns during physical activities.
Differentiate instruction to accommodate students with different abilities and physical limitations.
Ensure the proper athletic equipment is available for each lesson, requesting additional equipment or replacement equipment within appropriate timeframes.
Use and contribute to the ongoing development of units of instruction within AcademyACL’s Curriculum Guide, by developing age-appropriate lesson plans, based on the State of Colorado’s health education standards and aligned with Big Ideas and the Integrated Curriculum Model. These lessons should promote healthy habits and incorporate a variety of activities including individual and team sports, fitness exercises, and movement skills.
Develop one in-depth unit of instruction for the Upper Division Elective Rotation, in which interested 5-8th graders attend their chosen Encore subject for 6 weeks.
Regularly collaborate with classroom teachers to co-teach specific math and/or language arts lessons utilizing movement and/or physical education concepts.
Regularly attend Encore team planning and MTSS meetings during common planning times.
Monitor student progress through observation, participation, and performance evaluations to track student development in physical fitness and motor skills, providing progress reports three times per year.
Communicate regularly with families regularly to share celebrations of learning, plans for upcoming units of instruction, and important events. Provide timely parent communication about specific student situations by phone or email, as needed.
Consistently use Capturing Kids’ Hearts strategies for a school-wide positive approach to working with students, parents, and colleagues.
Other Duties:
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Facilitate specific activities during daily Fitness and Fun time, as needed.
Coordinate AcademyACL’s annual Field Day, held each May.
Collaborate with the entire Encore Team to plan Winter Fest and Spring Fest, which showcase the work of all Primary/Middle and Upper Division students respectively.
Support AcademyACL’s daily arrival and/or dismissal process.
Provide lunch coverage for one homeroom teacher per day.
Provide reception service during family conferences.
Administer standardized testing as needed.
Maintain professional competence by attending staff development programs and other professional activities.
May provide after-school enrichment classes, which would allow a flexed arrival time.
Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Academy Director.
Physical Requirements:
This job requires a high activity level that includes movement throughout the building, active involvement with student activities, including jogging, dancing and jumping, support for janitorial tasks as needed (including things such as cleaning tables, vacuuming, and light lifting of boxes with classroom materials), and personal contact with children who may be seated on the floor or at low tables. This job also requires emotional stamina and personal stress management to maintain a positive approach with students, parents, and colleagues throughout the entire school day, including students with very high energy and some with low impulse control, and students, parents, and colleagues who demonstrate intensities that typically accompany gifted behaviors.
Other Position Requirements:
This is a ten-month position, paid in a twelve-month cycle, which requires more than 40 hours per week, on at-will employment basis. Full-time teachers are required to be on-campus from 7:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the addition of staff meetings, family-teacher conferences, and any applicable off-campus meetings or training during or beyond the regular school day. No extended travel will be required; however, attendance at state (Beyond Giftedness, CAGT) and national (NAGC) conferences on gifted education may be required. Local travel may be required to attend additional training.
Position Start Date: Typically, August 1 (Onboarding may be earlier)
Pay Periods: monthly
Training Dates: Varies year to year
Reports To: Academy Director
Team: Encore (Specials)
Direct Reports: none