25-26SY: K-12 Health and PE Teacher

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Position Type: Full-Time | 2025-2026 School Year

ABOUT ESPERANZA ACADEMY

Esperanza means hope. Esperanza Academy Charter School (EACS), located in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia, is dedicated to serving the students within its community. We believe education can be a vehicle for social and economic advancement, especially in historically underserved communities. This core belief drives our relentless pursuit to become the best educational option for all students in the Philadelphia area.

Our proven track record of academic success with historically underserved students sets us apart. The Academy has 11th-grade test scores above the city of Philadelphia average and value-added math and reading proficiency growth is among the highest in Pennsylvania. Students graduate at a rate exceeding 90% and drop out at only 1%. For 9 out of 11 years, the Academy has been awarded a silver or bronze medal rating in the US News ranking of Best High Schools in the country.

In the fall of 2025, we will open a brand-new elementary school building, marking the completion of our expansion to a full K-12 program serving over 2,400 students. This growth will make Esperanza Academy the second-largest single charter school in Philadelphia, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality education to even more students in our city.

THE OPPORTUNITY

At Esperanza Academy Charter School (EACS), we believe that physical health and wellness are critical to student success. We seek a passionate and dynamic Health & Physical Education Teacher who will engage students in meaningful health education and physical activities that promote lifelong well-being. We believe that great teaching creates transformative learning opportunities, and our teachers are uniquely positioned to make the greatest impact on students.

As a Health & PE Teacher, you will create an engaging, standards-aligned curriculum that teaches students about physical fitness, mental health, nutrition, and overall well-being. You will also develop and implement age-appropriate fitness activities, sports, and health lessons that empower students to make informed choices about their health and wellness. You will also build strong relationships that foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and belonging.

We are committed to supporting and developing our teachers through meaningful professional growth opportunities, ongoing collaboration, and a culture that values innovation and continuous learning. This full-time position for the 2025-2026 school year offers a unique opportunity to join a diverse, mission-driven school community that is passionate about closing the opportunity gap.

Why Teach Health and Physical Education at Esperanza Academy?

✔ Promote Lifelong Health & Wellness – Teach students the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and self-care habits.

✔ Supportive & Inclusive Community – Join a mission-driven school that values collaboration, diversity, and professional growth.

✔ Commitment to Equity – Be part of a school that seeks to eliminate barriers and expand opportunities for all students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement engaging, standards-aligned health and physical education lessons that promote overall student well-being.
• Teach students about physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, personal safety, substance abuse prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Plan and lead age-appropriate physical activities, including sports, team-building exercises, and fitness programs.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment where all students feel encouraged to express themselves using a new language.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, including English Language Learners and students with Individualized Education or 504 plans.
• Promote and model sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance.
• Utilize technology, fitness tracking, and interactive learning tools to enhance student engagement.
• Collaborate with student support staff, counselors, and special education teams to support the whole child.
• Assess student progress through formative and summative assessments and adjust instruction as needed.
• Organize and participate in school-wide health initiatives, fitness challenges, and athletic events.
• Engage families as partners in student success through open and proactive communication.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to enhance instructional practice and stay updated on best practices in health and physical education.

What You Will Bring:

• A deep belief in Esperanza Academy’s mission and a passion for promoting physical health, wellness, and lifelong fitness.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education, Physical Education, Kinesiology, or a related field from an accredited college or university. (Official transcripts showing the degree conferred are required before the starting date of employment.)
• PA Teaching Certification in Health & Physical Education K-12 or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience teaching health and physical education at the K-12 level is preferred but not required.
• Strong classroom and gym management skills, with the ability to create an engaging, structured, and safe learning environment.
• Experience integrating technology and digital resources into health and physical education instruction is a plus.
• Knowledge of adaptive physical education strategies to support students with diverse needs.
• Clearances: All applicants must have current FBI, PA Criminal, and Child Abuse background checks conducted within the last 12 months.

Follow Us: To learn more about Esperanza Academy, please visit our website at https://www.esperanzaacademycs.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Esperanza Academy values diversity and seeks to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including but not limited to BIPOC educators, multilingual educators, and individuals committed to educational equity.

Esperanza Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Esperanza Academy are based on doing what is best for kids, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.