Middle School Physical Education & Health Teacher
Swampscott Middle School | Swampscott Public Schools
Academic Year: 2026/2027 School Year - Start Date: October 19, 2026
Position Overview
Swampscott Middle School is seeking a highly qualified, dedicated, and culturally responsive Physical Education and Health Teacher to join our wellness department. In this role, your primary function will be to deliver comprehensive, medically accurate, and age-appropriate health and physical education that promotes lifelong wellness, healthy relationship skills, and health literacy for all students in Grades 5 through 8.
Because student physical safety, gymnasium/field supervision, and health education require consistent adult leadership, punctuality and reliable, consistent attendance are essential to the success of this role. Guided by the district's C.O.R.E. values-Community, Opportunity, Respect, and Equity-you will foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued, safe, and empowered to make informed, healthy decisions.
Essential Functions
Instructional Leadership & Curriculum Delivery
- Comprehensive Instruction: Provide health and physical education that is medically accurate, age and developmentally appropriate, and aligned with national standards and the Massachusetts Health and Physical Education Framework.
- Inclusive Environment: Implement and continually evaluate a culturally inclusive curriculum within a safe, supportive learning environment where ALL students feel valued.
- Pedagogical Practice: Employ a variety of instructional methods and materials designed to engage diverse learners, spark a passion for health literacy, and foster personal growth.
- Health Promotion: Deliver lessons that cultivate essential attitudes, knowledge, and decision-making skills surrounding healthy lifestyle habits, wellness, and healthy relationships.
Program Coordination & Safety Oversight
- Safety Protocols: Provide appropriate safety instruction and conduct regular safety checks on physical equipment, gymnasium spaces, and field areas to ensure a secure environment for all students.
- Collaboration & Outreach: Organize program coordination with colleagues, school staff, parents/caregivers, and community wellness resources.
- Departmental Engagement: Attend and actively participate in department meetings, curriculum development work, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Qualifications
Required
- Licensure: Valid Massachusetts DESE License in Physical Education (PreK-8 or 5-12) or Health/Family and Consumer Sciences. SEI Endorsement
- Educational Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the organizational structure of a successful physical education and health program in alignment with the Massachusetts Health and Physical Education Curriculum Framework.
- Theoretical Grounding: Proven understanding of developmental theory, social justice principles, learning theories, multiculturalism, and health and wellness frameworks (including prevention and intervention strategies).
- Barrier Reduction: Thorough understanding of barriers to student learning and the application of decision-making models to dismantle those barriers.
- Compliance: Successful completion of a Massachusetts CORI and fingerprint-based national criminal background check.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent of Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Stamina & Mobility: High level of physical activity required; ability to stand, walk, run, demonstrate athletic movements, and lead physical activities for extended periods. Regularly required to stoop, bend, crouch, and lift to 25-40 pounds of physical education equipment.
- Communication & Senses: Clear, authoritative vocal communication and auditory acuity to direct students, manage noisy gymnasium environments, and facilitate sensitive health classroom discussions.
- Vision: Superior spatial awareness, depth perception, and visual tracking to monitor student safety dynamically across gymnasiums, classrooms, and outdoor athletic fields.
- Environment: Exposure to both indoor classroom/gymnasium settings and outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, sun) during outdoor units.
The Swampscott Public Schools does not discriminate or tolerate harassment against students, parents/guardians, employees, or the general public. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to the Swampscott Public Schools, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of the Swampscott Public Schools on grounds of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, genetic information, ancestry, children, marital or civil union status, veteran status or membership in the armed services, receiving of public assistance, homeless, or disability.