Teacher, LS Physical Education E

Lower School Physical Education Teacher

FLSA classification: Exempt

Responsible to: Head of Lower School

Last revised: April 2026

Position Summary

The Haverford School is seeking candidates for a full-time Lower School Physical Education position. The Lower School Physical Education Teacher is responsible for planning and delivering a dynamic, developmentally appropriate physical education program for boys in Pre-K through Grade 5, alongside a team of two other Lower School P.E. teachers. This role fosters physical literacy, promotes lifelong wellness, and supports boys’ social-emotional growth through movement, play, and teamwork. The teacher creates an engaging and structured environment where boys develop confidence, competence, and joy in physical activity.

Preferred candidates will have at least 3 years of elementary school teaching experience, the ability to coach multiple sports, an understanding of all boys' education, and a commitment to relational teaching.

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Plan and deliver a comprehensive Pre-K–5 physical education curriculum.
• Planning lessons that build progressively in skill, knowledge, and confidence across grade levels.
• Collaboration and alignment with other Lower School PE teachers.
• Teach a wide range of units, including:
• Fundamental motor skills
• Games and sports
• Fitness and wellness
• Cooperative and team-based activities
• Implement clear structures and routines that maximize student engagement and time in movement.
• Promote physical, social, and emotional development through movement-based learning.
• Foster sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and respect.
• Integrate character development and social-emotional learning into instruction.
• Assess student progress using developmentally appropriate measures.
• Provide clear and consistent feedback on overall student performance.
• Communicate program goals and student progress with families.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to support cross-curricular connections.
• Partner with school leadership to support school-wide initiatives, events, and programs.
• Lead and support community-building events (e.g., field days, house competitions, wellness initiatives).
• Maintain and organize equipment and ensure proper use of facilities.
• Teach and reinforce safe practices during physical activity, ensure a safe physical environment, and follow all safety protocols.
• Supervise students during physical education classes and related activities, including monitoring carpool, lunch, recess, and playground as assigned
• Engage in the school evaluation process and ongoing professional development aligned with best practices in physical education.
• Stay current with research and standards in physical literacy and child development.
• Participate actively in faculty meetings, committees, and school life.
• Fulfill significant coaching responsibilities for multiple sports
• Participate in some infrequent evening or weekend activities, including meetings, professional development or other school activities
• Possesses an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the implementation of those principles at independent schools
• Other duties, as assigned

• Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
• At least three years of relevant teaching experience preferred
• A bachelor’s degree in Physical Education or a closely related field is required
• Teaching certification and a Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in a Lower School environment preferred
• Experience with coaching multiple sports, Upper School coaching experience preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues and parents
• Adequate computer literacy and familiarity with email, Google, and Microsoft Office products
• Enthusiastic interest in teaching, motivating, coaching, and teaching Lower School students
• Familiarity with various learning styles and the appropriate strategies to address them
• Sense of humor, enthusiastic and happy, high ethical professional standards, and multicultural perspective

• Physical Requirements and Work Environment
• Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.
• Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled office environment.
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.