Extended Term Substitute, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Sept-Dec 2025), Vassal Lane Upper/P
New Yesterday
Extended Term Substitute, Health & Physical Education Teacher, Grades 6-8
Available September 1, 2025 through no later than December 31, 2025
Health & Physical Education Department/Vassal Lane & Putnam Avenue Upper Schools
Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Department Overview:
Cambridge Public School's Health, Physical Education 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 level. 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
Upon completion of our program, students will develop competence in a variety of skills, which include motor skill development, self-efficacy, advocacy, and empowerment to take control of their health and engage in lifelong efforts to maintain and enhance their individual and community health and wellness.
The Role:
The CPS Health, Physical Education and Wellness Department and the Vassal Lane Upper and Putnam Avenue Upper Schools seek a Physical Education & Health Teacher to join our caring and innovative community. The successful candidate will have experience planning and implementing Health and Physical Education instruction according to the Massachusetts Health Curriculum Framework, the National Health Education Standards, the National Sexuality Education Standards and the National Physical Education Standards. The candidate will teach the Health and Physical Education curriculum weekly and also participate in all school and department based professional learning. As a professional, the teacher will display a collegial spirit that supports and enhances continual professional growth consistent with the educational goals and philosophies of our school community. Moreover, the candidate will be fully committed to continuously learning, improving, reflecting and working together to ensure that all students achieve at high levels.
Key Responsibilities:
- Utilize accepted H/PE department standards based curriculum, strategies and techniques, which have been developed as a framework for enhancing life skills development and encouraging meaningful dialogue between students, teachers, and parents/guardians.
- 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.
- Be responsible for all reports, data collection, inventory and purchasing as well as other duties as may be designated by the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education or the Health Education Program Leader.
- Integrate social emotional learning into the classroom and school community to foster a safe, caring, and healthy community.
Your Skill Set:
As the incoming Health & Physical Education Teacher, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Master's degree preferred.
- Experience and/or education in 6-8 Health Education & Physical education.
- Massachusetts Certification in PreK-8 or 5-12 Physical Education.
- Massachusetts Certification in JK-12 Health/Family Consumer Science.
- Awareness of the developmental needs of middle school and adolescent learners and the strategies to meet those needs through the curriculum.
- Strong classroom management skills.
- Previous and successful experience working in a multicultural environment and demonstrated implementation of culturally responsive practices that includes students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, alongside the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a diverse staff and student body.
- A strong work ethic, alongside a commitment to doing whatever it takes for students to excel.
How to Join Our Team:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education 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.
- Location:
- Cambridge
