Health Education Teacher, PAUS

Position: Health Education Teacher, Grades 6-8

Putnam Avenue Upper School/Health and Physical Education Department

Putnam Avenue Upper School Community:

The Putnam Avenue Upper School is an innovative public middle school in the Cambridge Public Schools. We are looking for a dynamic, committed educator with solid content and pedagogical knowledge, solid classroom management skills, a deep commitment to social justice, and experience working in urban schools.

We are actively working towards becoming an antiracist school, and are taking steps towards identifying and dismantling racist structures, hearing and elevating underrepresented voices, and striving to achieve an equitable and just educational experience for all students.

Health and Wellness Department Overview:

Cambridge Public School''s Health and Wellness Department is dedicated to creating supportive learning spaces where all students are known, celebrated, empowered, and thrive. Students will receive relevant learning opportunities that develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to be healthy and physically active. These experiences will support students to be engaged in exploring, creating, and advocating for meaningful changes at the individual and societal levels. We also recognize that certain groups have been historically marginalized, resulting in significant health and educational disparities. In working to uphold the district''s overarching mission, we are committed to:

• Anti-racism, social justice, and racial equity by working with community partners to address the needs of youth, families, and educators of color
• Promoting inclusiveness, valuing diversity, and creating a culturally responsive curriculum within our department

The Opportunity:

The Putnam Avenue Upper School, in partnership with the Health and Wellness department, seeks a Health Education Teacher. Reporting directly to the Head of the Upper School and Director of Wellness & SEL, the Health Education Teacher will teach Health Education according to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework, the National Health Education Standards, and the National Sexuality Education Standards. They will teach the Health Education curriculum weekly and lead elective courses.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide developmentally appropriate, inclusive, culturally responsive, and standards-aligned health education to students in grades 6-8 to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to promote physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being.
• Provide instruction across key areas of comprehensive health education, including social and emotional learning, healthy relationships, sexuality and sexual health education, personal hygiene and wellness, nutrition, substance use prevention, mental health, personal safety, and health decision-making.
• Establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful classroom environment in which students can ask questions, engage in discussion, embrace their identities, and explore health topics without fear of judgment.
• Use evidence-based instructional practices, including explicit instruction, modeling, discussion, scenario-based learning, reflection, collaborative learning, and opportunities for students to practice health-related skills.
• Assess student understanding through formal and informal assessments and use assessment information to adjust instruction.
• Collaborate with school counselors, social workers, nurses, educators, administrators, and other student-support professionals to address student health and wellness needs.
• Communicate respectfully and proactively with families regarding health education curriculum and provide families with appropriate resources to support student wellness.
• Partner with community health organizations and health professionals when appropriate.
• Build school-wide relationships with students, staff, and parents by participating on appropriate committees and by engaging students in various programs and school-wide health promotion activities.
• Participate in appropriate student support and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality while following school safety and reporting procedures.
• Participate in professional learning related to health education, adolescent development, SEL, sexuality education, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive instruction.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the building and/or district administration.

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Health Education Teacher, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; in health education, physical education, education, public health, or related field preferred; Master's degree preferred.
• Massachusetts DESE license appropriate for health education; certification in PK-12 Health/ Family/Consumer Science required
• Experience and/or education in teaching middle school Health Education.
• Successful teaching experience in an urban setting.
• Knowledge of adolescent development and middle school students.
• Demonstrated ability to create an inclusive, respectful, and engaging learning environment.
• Ability to teach sensitive health topics in a professional, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive manner.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

How to Join Our Team:

Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.