Girls Preparatory School inspires each girl to lead a life of integrity and purpose by engaging her mind, cultivating her strengths, and nurturing her self-confidence and respect for others.
ABOUT GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL:
Girls Preparatory School (GPS) was founded in 1906 to provide girls with the necessary courses to pursue a college education. GPS has proudly graduated almost 6000 young women since then. Currently, 131 faculty and staff serve 600+ girls in grades 6-12 with a college preparatory curriculum that includes a full complement of humanities, arts, and STEM courses, and co-curricular programs of leadership development, athletics, performing arts, and community engagement.
ATHLETICS AT GPS:
The GPS Athletics mission includes teaching girls to be team players, understand the importance of mental toughness, accept challenges enthusiastically, and value strength, fitness, stamina, and good health. The bonds of friendship that come from working hard every day as teammates — striving for excellence toward an ambitious goal and developing the fundamental values of discipline and self-improvement — all of these are part of athletics at Girls Preparatory School. Ultimately, the GPS athletic environment is about aiming to be the very best on the field of competition, in the classroom, and in life. That attitude is shared by the outstanding staff of award-winning GPS coaches and more than 300 athletes who are involved at the varsity and middle school level. GPS has a proud athletic history with 61 state championships won in 15 total varsity sports.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The candidate for this position will develop a comprehensive strength and conditioning program that considers the needs of all GPS athletic teams and will also tailor workouts for individual athletes outside of their competitive seasons. The candidate should have the ability to provide expert instruction in the use of weight machines and conditioning equipment for all students. Additionally, they will be expected to design and maintain a class environment favorable to girls’ athletic and personal growth and to establish effective rapport with students while maintaining proper classroom management. Daily instructional plans should implement 21st-century pedagogical approaches. They will work within a team setting of shared ideas and constructive feedback in a collaborative manner.
TEACHING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Physical Education Department Chair, the GPS Strength and Conditioning Coach/teacher is expected to do the following:
Coordinate with head coaches to design training programs that revolve around strength, conditioning and weight training geared toward preseason as well as in-season needs;
Observe training, practice and performance and use observations to assess strengths and weaknesses and design programs accordingly;
Maintain detailed, accurate and updated athlete records in order to track athlete progress and communicate with coaches in order to assess effectiveness of the program;
Design and perform baseline tests to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each athlete;
Work with the athletic trainer to design programs for injury prevention and programs for injury rehabilitation;
Attend and participate in departmental and conference meetings and other required activities;
Maintain the weight room by taking inventory of equipment and recommend upgrades as needed;
Implement and maintain a standard of performance consistent with GPS’s goals of academic and athletic excellence;
Possess the ability to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members;
Serve as an Upper School advisor within the school’s advisory program;
Know emergency plans and evacuation routes for the classroom assigned;
Possess effective writing, organizational, administrative and communication skills;
Know and follow school procedures and regulations;
Conduct the program within the rules and regulations of the TSSAA;
Perform other related duties as directed by the Physical Education Department Chair, Upper School Head, or Athletic Director.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred in a related field such as Health/Fitness, Physical Education, Exercise Science
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (preferably NSCA’s CSCS)
3-5 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach
Proven experience developing comprehensive strength and conditioning programs for athletes
Current CPR/AED/First Aid certifications
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Collegial and eager to collaborate with other faculty members in a cross-disciplinary fashion
Demonstrated commitment to building cultural competencies and empowering students to engage across differences.
Girls Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and unlawful harassment. It is the School’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or disability or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. It is the intent and resolve of the School to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
All employees are responsible for complying with the School's equal employment opportunity policy.
