The Co-op School was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who saw the need for a high-quality and affordable preschool option in the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Since then, the Co-op School has matured from a small, parent-run playgroup to a fully staffed and licensed non-profit school.

After residing in two prior homes in Clinton Hill, The Co-op School moved into 87 Irving Place in the fall of 2009. In 2011, The Co-op School launched the first kindergarten class of its elementary program at 40 Brevoort Place. In 2019, we opened our doors at 644 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood—in a 3,500-square-foot building with a double-height gym, a rooftop library, and two playgrounds—housing our preschool, lower school, and middle school students under one roof.

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Co-op School is to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity. The Co-op School facilitates joyful learning through a unique and rigorous constructivist approach that listens to and honors the individual interests and strengths of each child. The Co-op School doesn’t just belong to the students and educators but extends to the family community as a whole. It belongs to those who participate in it and is a more resilient and creative place because of it. 

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a passionate and qualified Physical Education Teacher to join our dynamic team. In this role at The Co-op School, you will inspire students to embrace physical activity, develop essential motor skills, and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You will design and implement an engaging physical education curriculum that caters to students' varying abilities and interests while adhering to standards and school policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A B.A. or Masters degree in a relevant discipline. 
• Deep knowledge and ability to independently plan and execute engaging curriculum for preschool, elementary, and middle school movement classes. 
• Possess a thorough knowledge of current educational principles, best practices and theory
• Two or more years of relevant teaching experience preferred
• Possess demonstrated ability to handle the instructional goals of several classrooms at once as well as strong organizational and planning skills and attention to detail
• Educational philosophy aligns with the mission and vision of The Co-op School and creates a safe and inclusive environment where students feel motivated and empowered to participate in physical activities.
• Reflective practitioner in a state of constant professional growth and a willingness to share their craft with others
• Experience working with children with special needs as some students have IEPs
• Commitment to and knowledge of experiential and inquiry-based teaching and learning
• Commitment to diverse learning environments
• Strong communication skills to engage students, parents, and colleagues.
• Experience collaborating with children, families, colleagues, and administrators
• Organizational skills to manage schedules, materials, lesson plans, and school events, such as Field Day.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with other teachers and staff to integrate physical education concepts into cross-disciplinary lessons.
• Actively participate in a learning community
• Regularly communicate with families, students, and community partners through phone, face-to-face conversation, email, and blogs
• Integrate The Co-op School Values into the movement program and interactions with staff, families, and students
• Maintain positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues
• Maintain confidentiality with student information and records
• Create a positive and safe classroom culture and community
• Stay current with developments in physical education pedagogy and health-related research.
• Organize and supervise school sports events, intramural activities, and fitness challenges.
• Maintain equipment and facilities to ensure a safe and clean environment for physical activities.
• Maintain movement budget with supply orders and upkeep 
• Assess student progress through various evaluation methods and provide constructive feedback to students and parents.
• Monthly bulletin board updates around the movement room  

Hourly Rate: The hourly range for this position is $41.15 - $45.93; The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.

Level: Temporary Full-Time position

Start Date: December 2024 (Tentative 4-month Agreement)

This Position reports directly to the Upper School Division Head

TO APPLY

Interested candidates are asked to email Evelyn Espinoza, Director of Human Resources, at evelyn@thecoopschool.org. Please send a resume and cover letter that should include a statement of your educational philosophy and also state why you are interested in becoming part of the team.

The Co-op School is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, religion or religious practices, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy extends to all employment practices including but not limited to, hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, lay-offs, and termination.

About The Co-Op School

We are a progressive constructivist program that teaches to the individualities of every child and every unique classroom. The Co-op School models its curriculum based on these following beliefs: Joyful learning lays the foundation for lifelong learning and critical thinking. Creativity cannot exist without passion. Children learn best when they are invested in finding out the answers to their questions and when learning is embedded in meaningful contexts, which makes learning fun and engaging. It is important to us to educate the entire child on all levels: emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. Students work as a group and think as individuals, expressing feelings and contributing ideas peacefully and respectfully. Students will leave The Co-op School confident in their ability to effect change in the community and comfortable reflecting on ways to challenge and grow themselves. As creative problem solvers, each with unique viewpoints and learning styles, students will embrace the idea of a more equitable world. We strive to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity.

Connections working at The Co-Op School