Physical Education Teacher - Early Childhood Center

Physical Education Teacher – Cranbrook Early Childhood Center

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending our Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook “the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America” and in 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. For more, please visit our website: www.cranbrook.edu.

This part-time Early Childhood Physical Education Teacher instructs children in Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten. All faculty are expected to support and uphold the mission and core values of Cranbrook Schools. This position will begin in August 2026.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Planning, supervising, and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum in accordance with the philosophy of Brookside School.
• Co-teach physical education to Pre-Kindergarten through Senior Kindergarten (3- to 6-year-olds) with a fellow Early Childhood Physical Education Teacher.
• Participate in a larger physical education team and attend all team planning meetings and maintain open communication.
• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate physical education curriculum that promotes gross motor development, fundamental movement skills (balance, coordination, locomotor skills), spatial awareness, and physical literacy through play-based learning.
• Facilitate children’s learning and development in a non-directive, positive, and flexible manner, knowing when and how to step in, shift gears, and adapt activities to promote social, emotional, and physical growth.
• Adapt movement activities to support children with varying physical abilities and learning needs, collaborating with specialists and classroom teachers as appropriate.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students during indoor and outdoor physical education lessons, including proper use and supervision of equipment.
• Inspect and maintain equipment and learning spaces to ensure safety standards are met.
• Follow all school emergency procedures; maintain current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Gearing the program, expectations, and responses, to the needs of individual children with concern for their interests, identities, special talents, and individual style and pace of learning with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
• Interacting with all children and their families with dignity and respect, maintaining a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
• Assessing and documenting students’ progress in motor development, coordination, strength, spatial awareness, and cooperative skills; conducting parent/teacher conferences; preparing progress reports; keeping parents abreast of curricular updates; and collaborating with families as needed to support individual students.

Secondary Job Responsibilities: 

• Attending faculty meetings, team meetings, committee meetings, Curriculum Open House, Admissions Open Houses
• Providing opportunities and encouraging parental school involvement
• Participating in recommended in-service training and seeking out opportunities for professional growth.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Elementary Teaching Certificate with Early Childhood Specialization or Early Childhood Teaching degree preferred.
• Prior early childhood teaching experience and/or physical education experience required.

• High energy level with ability to relate to young children, colleagues, and families.
• Ability to actively participate in physical activity throughout the school day, and to lift, move, and set up equipment.

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

For consideration, interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae or résumé, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts and any certifications, a statement of educational philosophy relative to this position, and two or three letters of recommendation with contact information. Please be sure all documents are uploaded at the time you submit your application.