What are the responsibilities and job description for the Health & Fitness Specialist position at The Meridian School?
Description
Are you...
Ideal candidates possess a background in elementary health and fitness education, previous experience working with diverse learners, and have a minimum of three years of experience as a teacher.
We seek someone who enjoys partnering with faculty, is passionate, has a love of teaching students healthy habits, and is committed to meeting the needs of students in an elementary setting.
Who We Are
We are an independent PreK-5 school located in Wallingford's Good Shepherd Center. Meridian inspires children to approach learning with passion and curiosity. Classes are small, and our curriculum is challenging. We encourage students to be reflective and to explore a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. We ask a lot of our students. We ask them to try, to make mistakes, to rebound, to apologize, to move forward with integrity. We ask them to take intellectual risks and to be thoughtful, caring community members. As citizens of the world, we encourage them to make connections between themselves, their local community, and the larger global society. We strive for Meridian students to develop into curious, compassionate, responsible young adolescents who begin to understand the power that resides in their hearts and their minds.
We believe the challenges of our world require culturally-competent, well-rounded, critical-thinking individuals prepared to be responsible and active global citizens. This is our work as educators in partnership with students and their families. We offer an academic education that balances the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of children. We believe a school community that is inclusive and diverse promotes a child’s sense of belonging. Meridian students learn to understand varying points of view, which over time will fuel innovation, creativity, and positive change for communities near and far.
Job Summary
Under partnership supervision with the Assistant Head of School, the Health and Fitness Faculty provides an exceptional classroom experience for students, using across-team collaboration to plan and deliver excellent lessons to students.
Specific Responsibilities
Don't meet every single requirement? At Meridian we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
The Meridian School is an equal opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate in employment decisions or policies in violation of law on the basis of any legally protected status, including race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age (over 40), marital status, physical or mental disability, use of a trained service animal, gender identity, sexual orientation, political ideology, HIV status, and veteran status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all of its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.
Visit our website at www.meridianschool.edu .
Are you...
- A curious and creative teacher excited to bridge intellect, heart, and imagination?
- A compassionate and collaborative educator and role model for students?
- An enthusiastic community member eager to build relationships?
- A teacher that loves empowering students through health and fitness?
Ideal candidates possess a background in elementary health and fitness education, previous experience working with diverse learners, and have a minimum of three years of experience as a teacher.
We seek someone who enjoys partnering with faculty, is passionate, has a love of teaching students healthy habits, and is committed to meeting the needs of students in an elementary setting.
Who We Are
We are an independent PreK-5 school located in Wallingford's Good Shepherd Center. Meridian inspires children to approach learning with passion and curiosity. Classes are small, and our curriculum is challenging. We encourage students to be reflective and to explore a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. We ask a lot of our students. We ask them to try, to make mistakes, to rebound, to apologize, to move forward with integrity. We ask them to take intellectual risks and to be thoughtful, caring community members. As citizens of the world, we encourage them to make connections between themselves, their local community, and the larger global society. We strive for Meridian students to develop into curious, compassionate, responsible young adolescents who begin to understand the power that resides in their hearts and their minds.
We believe the challenges of our world require culturally-competent, well-rounded, critical-thinking individuals prepared to be responsible and active global citizens. This is our work as educators in partnership with students and their families. We offer an academic education that balances the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of children. We believe a school community that is inclusive and diverse promotes a child’s sense of belonging. Meridian students learn to understand varying points of view, which over time will fuel innovation, creativity, and positive change for communities near and far.
Job Summary
Under partnership supervision with the Assistant Head of School, the Health and Fitness Faculty provides an exceptional classroom experience for students, using across-team collaboration to plan and deliver excellent lessons to students.
Specific Responsibilities
- Creates a classroom environment that fosters, promotes, and develops an understanding of the relationship of healthy body functions and exercise; that motivates each student to cultivate physical fitness, and appropriate sportsmanship; and develops strength, skill, agility, poise, and coordination in individual and team physical activities and sports, in accordance with each student's ability and to have fun.
- Partners with school counselor to teach content related to Growing Minds and Bodies curriculum
- Plans, prepares, and executes yearly field day activities for all students
- Demonstrates best instructional practices to deliver a high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum to students
- Develops, maintains, and revises curriculum maps in all content areas that are aligned to the School’s standards
- Designs and delivers differentiated instruction
- Assesses the academic and social-emotional needs (Health and Fitness Skills/standards) of students in collaboration with colleagues and Assistant Head of School
- Actively creates and maintains a well-managed, positive classroom environment that supports student engagement and motivation
- Actively participates in faculty work aligned with the strategic plan
- Has a commitment to ongoing cultural competence professional development and has the motivation to put these skills into practice
- Understands and supports the school’s mission through professional conduct and actions which demonstrate the core values and philosophy of the organization
- Initiates growth and change in own intellectual and professional development, seeking out feedback and other opportunities to learn
- Attends community meetings, curriculum meetings, and in-service days
- Writes student evaluations twice each year according to the school year calendar
- Conducts parent/guardian conferences twice each year and supports our “open door” policy with parents, colleagues, and students
- Communicates regularly, building a partnering relationship with parents/guardians
- Participates in events such as Curriculum Night, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Open House, admissions and other evening or weekend community gatherings as assigned
- Writes periodic newsletters with grade-level team and openly communicates with families
- Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all the School’s constituencies
- Actively participates in the full life of the school
- Vigorously engages in professional development; demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning by enhancing their skills, and embracing innovative technologies and creative thinking
- Complies with all policies and expectations put forth in the school’s documents
- Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
- Teaching certification preferred
- Minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience
- Experience working with elementary school-aged children
- Experience working in an independent school environment preferred
- Proficient technology skills, ability to integrate technology into the curriculum.
- Must have a valid WA driver’s license and be willing to drive Meridian vehicles for work-related tasks
- Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills
- Flexibility, maturity, and a sense of humor
- Ability to keep information in the strictest of confidence
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity
- Proficient at working in a Google suite environment; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and learn new technology
- Ability to attend overnight experiential learning trips
- Ability to stand, go up and down stairs frequently, crouch
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, interact with students, and move around the classroom
- Ability to work outside in any type of weather
- Ability to travel locally (for field trips)
Don't meet every single requirement? At Meridian we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
The Meridian School is an equal opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate in employment decisions or policies in violation of law on the basis of any legally protected status, including race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age (over 40), marital status, physical or mental disability, use of a trained service animal, gender identity, sexual orientation, political ideology, HIV status, and veteran status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all of its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.
Visit our website at www.meridianschool.edu .