Lower School Physical Education Teacher

Lower School Physical Education Teacher

Exempt Position

Reports to

Director of Lower School and Physical Education Department Chair

Start Date

August 2025

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all-gender, pre-K-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented, and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts, and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement, and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators, and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Position Summary

William Penn Charter School seeks a Lower School Physical Education teacher to teach PreK - 5th Grade for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please note that this is a co-teaching position. Successful candidates must embrace collaborative co-teaching pedagogy, student-centered pedagogy, technology, model curiosity and a desire for professional growth, and exhibit a desire to build positive and meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, and parents in a manner consistent with the School's mission. Physical education classes are often taught outside on our turf field and transition into indoor facilities during inclement weather. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education is highly desirable. Additionally, teachers can access many professional development opportunities via the PC Teaching and Learning Center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works cooperatively with Lower School physical education teachers in planning a balanced physical education program.
• Analyzes, demonstrates, and explains basic skills, knowledge’s, and strategies of formal sports, games, rhythms, and fundamentals of body movement.
• Develops students' concepts in leadership, teamwork, responsibility and social skills; providing a safe and optimal learning environment; and appropriate feedback.
• Manage the curriculum and classroom environment with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practices, safety and well-being while encouraging student participation and effort.
• Ability to closely monitor students in a variety of locations, inside and outside, including athletic fields and areas with noise and activity.
• Maintain detailed notes on student progress as it relates to the skills outlined on the report card.
• Attending all school-wide meetings, department meetings, Lower School faculty meetings, and in-service days.
• Serve as an active member of the Lower School and Penn Charter community by engaging with colleagues, participating in events and activities, and fulfilling additional duties, including but not limited to, pick-up and dropoff, managing lunch and recess duties, chaperoning field trips, after-school events or grade-level trips, and other assignments
• Stay up-to-date on current trends, best practices, and advancements in physical education
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Lower School or Department Chair

Competencies:

• Demonstrates knowledge of current Physical Education teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge and understanding of child and adolescent age-appropriate skill levels and development
• Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in their approach to the work and building relationships with students, faculty, and other community members.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse faculty and staff members and the larger school community.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and carry at least 30 pounds
• Ability to walk, stand, sit on the floor, or kneel for extended periods of time
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Health or a related field with PA Health and Physical Education PK-12 certificate
• 3 years of experience in lower school physical education or related field.
• Is lifeguard certified or has the capacity to become lifeguard certified

Salary and benefits

William Penn Charter School offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees and their eligible dependents, retirement contributions, and tuition remission. William Penn Charter School is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

We will review application materials on a rolling basis and interview candidates until the position has been filled.