Physical Education Teacher (.50 FTE), DVUS

Job Description

Job Description

Position:Physical Education Teacher (.50 FTE)

Health and Physical Education Department/Darby Vassal Upper School

Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Department Overview:

Cambridge Public School's Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Department is dedicated to creating supportive learning spaces where all students are known, celebrated, empowered, and thrive. Students will receive relevant learning opportunities that develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for healthy, physically active living.

These experiences will support students to be engaged in exploring, creating, and advocating for meaningful changes at the individual and societal levels. We also recognize that certain groups have been historically marginalized, resulting in significant health and educational disparities. In working to uphold the district's overarching mission, we are committed to:
  • Anti-racism, social justice, and racial equity by working with community partners to address the needs of youth, families, and educators of color
  • Promoting inclusiveness, valuing diversity, and creating a culturally responsive curriculum within our department

Upon completion of our program, students will develop competence in a variety of skills, which include motor skill development, self-efficacy, advocacy, and empowerment to take control of their health and engage in lifelong efforts to maintain and enhance their individual and community health and wellness.

Darby Vassall Upper School Community:

Darby Vassall Lane Upper School is a vibrant 6-8 middle school, part of the Cambridge Public Schools. We are committed to collaboration and creating environments that enable all students to learn at high levels. We are mindful of societal inequities and work to challenge injustice. We strive to promote inquiry, reflection, critical thinking, creative expression, resilience, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

The Role:

The Health, Physical Education, and Wellness (H/PE) department seeks a Physical Education Teacher to join our team. The Physical Education teacher will be responsible to the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education and to the principal of the school or Upper Head to whom they are assigned. The Physical Education teacher will teach Physical Education according to the SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and the Massachusetts Health Curriculum Frameworks. The Physical Education teacher will utilize accepted H/PE department strategies for developing physical skills and abilities of students with disabilities. The Physical Education Teacher is responsible for providing specially designed instruction to students with disabilities in both general physical education settings and separate physical education settings. The Physical Education teacher will work collaboratively with physical education, general education, special education, and related services staff to ensure that students with disabilities have positive educational outcomes.

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Physical Education Teacher, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:
  • Strong ability to provide direct physical education/ special education services to students with disabilities
  • Strong ability to provide explicit instruction and/or support in motor skill development and social-emotional behavior.
  • Develop specialized equipment, goals, and objectives for the purpose of improving students` motor skills.
  • Provide instruction to students using systematic, structured, and multisensory approaches to learning.
  • Prepare, implement, and evaluate educational plans for each student based on individually assessed needs and in accordance with district/department procedures.
  • Collaborate with physical education, general education, special education, and related service teachers and staff
  • Administer formal and informal assessments and analyze data to inform decisions regarding IEP goals/objectives, learning approaches/content, and support
  • Accommodate and modify for student learning and support the general education teacher with the implementation of appropriate accommodations in the general education setting
  • Ensure implementation of the student's Individualized Education Plan
  • Assume responsibility for all reports, data collection, inventory, and purchasing, as well as other duties as may be designated by the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education.
  • Collaborate and provide guidance to instructional aides who are providing support for physical education students

Other Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with appropriate coursework in Physical Education.
  • Successful teaching experience and/or education in middle school Physical Education.
  • Massachusetts Certification in PK-8 Physical Education is required.

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in PDF format.

Salary: In accordance with Cambridge Teacher's Association Unit A Salary Schedule.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.