Career Center

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, coeducational, pre-K-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Position Summary:

William Penn Charter School seeks a  dynamic, energetic, and engaging Health, Wellness, and Sexuality Educator for the 2022-23 academic year. This person will serve as a member of the pre-K-12 Health and Physical Education department and will also have the opportunity to partner with our Director of Health, Wellness, and Sexuality Education in developing the PK-5 health curriculum. Additionally, they will partner with Lower School faculty to promote overall health and wellness within the Penn Charter community. Collectively, we aim to develop a curriculum that supports students in exploring and gathering relevant and current information that will help them make informed decisions regarding their health and support them in living out personal values in daily life. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in their teaching practice and in building meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, and student caregivers in a manner consistent with the School's mission. They will exhibit flexibility, understand and appreciate teaching students of all ages, and demonstrate an ability to effectively and respectfully respond to student behaviors. Additionally, they will embrace student-centered pedagogy, model curiosity and a desire for professional growth, and be willing to work collaboratively with colleagues. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education is highly desirable.

Essential Functions:

• Participating in a co-curricular activity such as coaching, clubs, assisting with theatrical performance, community service, or enrichment activity.
• Attending meetings and supervising recess/lunch duties according to a rotational schedule.
• Reporting grades and writing comments according to predetermined dates on the school calendar.
• Maintaining a growth mindset and actively participating in faculty professional development and supervision, including observations and feedback conversations with support from the assistant head, division director, and department chair.
• Teaching inclusive, dynamic, sex-positive, health, and human sexuality lessons that address the needs of learners at each developmental stage.
• Working collaboratively with teachers to plan, schedule, and deliver units of study.
• Teaching Lower School Health classes by:
• providing interactive and meaningful learning material to students
• maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment for active participation of all students
• conducting periodic assessments to measure student growth  
• Redesigning curriculum in partnership with the department.
• Other duties as assigned 

Competencies:

• A deep understanding of child development
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in their approach to the work and building relationships with students and other community members
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A comprehensive understanding of the field of education and a demonstrated willingness to explore and embrace new pedagogical practices, technologies, and developing trends
• Demonstrated experience working with school-age children on the topics listed below and an ability to adjust teaching methods to ensure they are developmentally appropriate
• Health education with a focus on health promotion and prevention including but not limited to:
• Consent and boundaries; healthy relationships
• Human sexuality
• Gender identity development and gender expression
• Personal Safety
• Nutrition 
• Sleep hygiene
• Social and emotional well-being
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to quickly adapt to changing group dynamics
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community
• Ability to use various platforms and systems within Google Suite

Physical Demands: 

• Ability and willingness to work in unpredictable weather conditions
• Ability to lift at least 20 pounds 
• Ability to walk, stand, or kneel for extended periods of time

Required Qualifications: 

• An undergraduate degree in a related field and/or a combination of education and experience. We recognize that such a position may attract candidates from various fields of study such as nursing, counseling, and other disciplines, and we welcome all applicants.
• Previous experience working with adolescents in a school or camp setting 
• At least three years of lower school classroom experience

Preferred education and experience 

• Master’s degree in Education
• Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education

Upon our return from spring break (April 5, 2022), we will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

Prior to hiring, we ask all potential employees to be vaccinated and protected from the life-threatening impact of COVID-19. At Penn Charter, we have supported our community's efforts to eradicate the spread of COVID-19 by facilitating access to Covid-19 vaccinations for all current employees and eligible students.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.