Career Center

The Wakefield School in The Plains, Virginia, seeks a Physical Education Teacher to work with students in Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade for the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition, the Physical Education Teacher will be a coach for at least two Middle/Upper School athletic teams. The Physical Education Teacher is an integral part of the Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, and Athletics Department, a community of teachers who embrace the school’s mission and values and who help students develop athletically and live healthy lives. A physical education teacher at Wakefield must be passionate about teaching students of all ages the importance of physical education through creative and well-thought-out activities. It is important that the educator be adaptable, resourceful in using a variety of spaces, demonstrate an enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and easily collaborate with colleagues. This position is a ten-month full-time position with annual renewal which begins August 2023. 

Physical Education Teaching Duties

• Teach Physical Education classes to early childhood and lower-school-aged children, and potentially middle school students at times, using innovative games and challenges that promote physical activity among all students.
• Provide engaging, fun, and effective instruction that encourages a health and wellness foundation for students, helps students develop age-appropriate motor skills, and develops proper exercise habits.
• Ensure maximum participation for all students regardless of skill level.
• Communicate in developmentally-appropriate ways through an altruistic approach that clearly communicates that every student can succeed and will benefit from a physically active, healthy lifestyle.
• Focus on making learning visible through effective student engagement. 
• Work collaboratively with other teachers in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities.
• Evaluate not only physical growth but also social and emotional growth.
• Attend scheduled faculty/division/department meetings
• Participate in professional development
• Perform additional faculty duties assigned, including, but not limited to, being an advisor and supervising students during carpool, lunch, advisory, recess, and so forth.

Coaching Duties

• Supervise student-athletes and teams as assigned by the Athletic Director.
• Instruct student-athletes in individual and team fundamentals, strategy, and physical training as outlined by the head coach.
• Be knowledgeable about and responsible for implementing all athletic policies, including Wakefield’s athletic policies as well as state, league, and sports rules and regulations.
• Assist in maintaining necessary forms, records, and paperwork.
• Oversee the safety conditions, general cleanliness, and general maintenance of equipment and sports facilities, including, but not limited to, facility prep and takedown for practices and games, laundry, disinfecting, equipment organization, and storage solutions.
• Recommend to the Athletics Director budgetary needs for the program.
• Assist in all aspects of the program.

Personal and Professional Characteristics and Experiences

• A bachelor’s degree in physical education or a related field is required.
• An ability to meet the needs of students of various ages and learning needs through differentiated instruction.
• Creativity in lesson design that balances content, skill, and student self-direction through the use of a variety of instructional methods.
• Appreciation for and understanding of school-aged children, demonstrating a loving and nurturing temperament.
• Excellent classroom management skills that promote a positive classroom environment.
• Familiarity with technology or ability and desire to learn about technology for lesson design, lesson implementation, and recording student progress.
• An ability to communicate clearly and with appropriate empathy to students, parents, and colleagues.
• Collaborative spirit when working with colleagues within the same department across grade levels and within the same grade level across departments.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Embraces the school’s mission and seeks to help students develop in all aspects.

About Wakefield School

Wakefield School is an independent, college-preparatory day school for students in Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 engaging in a rigorous and inspiring liberal arts curriculum. Our ambitious vision for every student is to foster capable, ethical, articulate citizens who seek the challenge, make a difference, and live extraordinary lives, each in his or her own way.

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