Lower and Middle School Physical Education Teacher
School Description
Santa Catalina School is a vibrant, independent, Catholic school offering student-centered co-education to PreK through grade 8 and an all-girls’ boarding and day college preparatory upper school serving grades 9 through 12. Santa Catalina exists to develop in each student a striving for excellence, a maturing awareness of moral and spiritual values, a sense of responsible purpose, and a determination to serve the world with courage, grace, and compassion. With the cornerstones of excellence, spirituality, service, and responsibility, the school is committed to providing a supportive learning community for each student to grow in their intellectual, personal, and spiritual life, making Santa Catalina a transformational educational experience for its students.
Position Summary
Santa Catalina School, a nationally recognized PreK-12 independent Catholic school in Monterey, California, is currently seeking a full-time, innovative, rigorous, and student-centered Physical Education Teacher for the 2024-25 school year. The Lower and Middle School is composed of over 200 PreKindergarten through eighth grade students, whose dedicated faculty and staff collaborate to design and deliver a dynamic learning environment. This is a unique opportunity to join students and teachers who joyfully and actively engage together in a creating values-based, intentional community. The desired candidate will have demonstrated commitment to the education of young children. We are committed to strengthening and enriching student learning through innovative teaching methods that put the student and his/her own goals for the future at the center of all learning experiences, and empower students to identify and solve problems, bridge content and activities across traditional “subject” domains, and develop an unshakable growth mindset.
Position Description
The preferred candidate will demonstrate the ability to organize games and challenges that promote physical activity among children and young adults from PreKindergarten to grade 8. The department’s goals are to develop motor skills and physical development among younger children and proper exercise, health, and nutrition among older children. The preferred candidate must be able to adjust the curricula to adapt to children with disabilities or different physical abilities. It is expected that this teacher will coach at least two middle school athletic teams. As with all teachers in the Lower and Middle School division, the preferred candidate must demonstrate strong speaking and listening skills. Besides being knowledgeable about physical education activities, teachers need to be able to communicate and demonstrate it properly. The preferred candidate must be able to observe all students and maintain discipline within all assigned classes. Reporting to the Head of Lower and Middle School, the Physical Education Teacher will join a department that works closely together and values collegiality.
Santa Catalina School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to its success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.
Essential Responsibilities
Demonstrates competence and passion for teaching physical education to students in PreKindergarten to grade 8
Provides evidence of consistent lesson planning based on an annual scope-and-sequence for each grade level, and makes appropriate adjustments to daily plans in response to unexpected interruptions
Demonstrates organization and responsibly manages multiple competing priorities with calm and clearly thought-out responses
Demonstrates the ability to communicate expectations to students and families and work with students to ensure they are achieving personal goals
Sets clearly articulated standards for student performance
Provides fair, reliable, understandable grade/reward structures for students
Pursues career-long professional development
Consistently addresses the needs of individual students
Demonstrates the use of proven, research-based strategies for effective classroom management, lesson planning, active student engagement, and instructional delivery
Other Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is required, and a teaching credential or a master’s degree is preferred
Minimum of 2-3 years of physical education teaching experience
Knowledge of child development and learning and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to teaching and classroom management
Demonstrated use of relevant techniques, lesson plans, and instructional technology to support and differentiate instruction. Examples will be requested.
Ability to plan active, hands-on and engaging lessons for a classroom with students exhibiting a range of learning styles and interests
A commitment to the mission and identity of Santa Catalina School
A desire to participate fully in the Santa Catalina community
Successful completion of a LiveScan criminal background check as required by law
Competencies
Proficient in Google Workspace, Word, Excel, Zoom, and database operations
Excellent writing, communication, and public speaking skills
Approachable and welcoming demeanor
Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
Strong interpersonal skills, including good listening, humor, tact, and intuition
Ability to create responsive, caring, and appropriate relationships with students, families, and colleagues
Strong organizational and record-keeping skills and digital literacy
Ability to assess and respond to the needs of the school and act as a representative of the school
Commitment to professional growth and education
Ability to function well under stress and to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
A sense of humility and the ability to develop and relate to students
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not supervise other employees.
Working Conditions and Compensation
Work in a classroom, standing and sitting, and using a computer screen for extended periods of time each day
Ability to access buildings and facilities throughout a 36-acre campus, with reasonable accommodations, in order to meet with students and faculty
Work in a school environment with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and people
Additional time is required beyond a normal day or week for evening and weekend meetings
Santa Catalina School offers competitive insurance and retirement benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience
Equal Employment Opportunity
Santa Catalina School is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment at Santa Catalina School is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by the law.
To Apply
Interested candidates should visit our website to complete and submit an application, resume, and cover letter: https://www.santacatalina.org/employment
Electronic submission of candidate papers in .pdf format is preferred.
Santa Catalina provides reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities.
