Saturday Academy Physical Education (PE) Teacher

Overview

Horizons Greater Washington is hiring a Physical Education (PE) teacher for three six-week sessions Saturday Academy who will be responsible for creating and delivering lessons for approximately 70 students in grades 1-8.

Work Location

Bancroft Elementary School (1755 Newton St. NW, Washington, DC 20010)

2025-2026 Program Dates

Fall Session: October 18, 2025 to November 22, 2025

Winter Session: January 10, 2026 to February 14, 2026

Spring Session: February 21, 2026 to March 28, 2026

Saturday Schedule

The typical Saturday schedule for the PE teacher is 9:45am to 1:15pm.  On one Saturday of each session, on a date to be determined, there will be no PE classes due to a field trip.

Organizational Background

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, advances its mission of educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. HGW supports over 400 students in grades 1-9 with year-round programming, developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, and instill respect for self and others. By spanning from first to ninth grade, the program nurtures long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated staff who support them throughout the year. HGW program design and staff practices follow a Positive Youth Development approach, emphasizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment as key components that meet the needs of youth. The five-week Summer Academy is Horizons’ core program, blending high-quality academics – with an emphasis on literacy, math, and STEAM – with social-emotional learning, swimming, hands-on projects, high-quality art lessons, and confidence-building challenges to boost engagement and improve outcomes.

In Fall 2022, we launched the academic year Saturday Academy for students to continue the gains that they make during the summer.

Position Description

HGW is seeking dedicated teachers and youth development professionals with classroom experience and a penchant for cultivating students’ lifelong love of learning. For five Saturdays of each session, the PE Teacher will lead a physical education to three classes of approximately 20 students each, grouped by age.

Under direction of the Site Director and/or Program Director, the Physical Education Teacher’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop engaging and effective lesson plans and supplementary materials
• Provide instruction that maximizes participation for all students, differentiating as needed to ensure all students experience success 
• Apply appropriate behavior management techniques
• Plan activities to help further enhance physical, social, and emotional abilities of students
• Commit to regular attendance adhering to work schedule
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with team members, parents, community members, and partners to improve the instructional program and student success.
• Maintain control of storage, PE equipment, recess equipment, and host school property (as necessary)

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The Saturday Academy Lead Teacher’s areas of direct responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Engage approximately 15-20 students in weekly lessons that promote active, student-centered learning 
• Establish and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning
• Ensure compliance to state and organizational regulations and policies
• Meet regularly with the Saturday Academy Manager to proactively accomplish goals and problem solve as issues arise
• Celebrate individual and collective accomplishments by teaching the importance of self-improvement
• Create appealing lessons that implement a variety of methodologies
• Cultivate student awareness and ownership of personal performance
• Encourage teamwork as to set collective and personal development goals
• Ensure accommodations and modifications are made for the growth and development of all students
• Ensure that the physical education environment is clean, safe and constructive for all students
• Teach knowledge and skills in physical fitness, health education, and individual, dual and team sports

Qualifications and Competencies

In addition to having a steadfast commitment to Horizons' mission, the ideal candidate will possess classroom experience in project-based instruction, behavior management, and differentiation. Candidates must also be flexible, organized, and self-driven.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience 
• Position-relevant teaching credentials are strongly preferred, but equivalent content expertise or teaching experience will be considered in lieu of certification 
• Knowledge of best practices for classroom management as well as socio-emotional learning and the ability to implement specific strategies for developing children’s non-cognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy and self-discipline 
• Proven ability to relate well to diverse children and families as well as plan and deliver engaging, challenging lessons for school-aged children 
• Excellent communicative, organizational, and time management skills 
• Leadership experience and demonstrated ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team 
• Access to reliable transportation for travel to/from the program 
• Willingness to make changes in instruction based on feedback and observation 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate methods that support the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of children 
• Create appropriate physical education instruction adaptation for learners of different abilities 
• Understand individual group behaviors and motivations as to create a safe learning environment 
• Create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction and self-motivation 
• Understand effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to enhance learning and encourage engagement 
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate instructional strategies based on national and/or state standards 
• Experience teaching elementary and/or middle school-aged students in a PE class setting is strongly preferred 
• Knowledge of effective teaching strategies for second language learners 

Pay Rate and Hours:

This position is paid at a rate of $31.50 per hour, for approximately 3.5 hours in person per program week plus up to three hours of planning per program week.

How to Apply

Please fill out our online application, which will include uploading a current copy of your resume, and indicating your availability for the Fall Program, Winter, and Spring Program sessions.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning in August.

Background Check Requirements

All offers of employment to employees 18 or over are contingent on the successful completion of the background checks described below:

• Fingerprinting (FBI) (DC)
• DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR) (DC)
• Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check (DC)
• National Sex Offender Registry (DC)

All offers of employment at Horizons Greater Washington are contingent upon clear results of the above suitability checks. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer and on all employees who are promoted, as deemed necessary.

Environmental and Physical Conditions

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The position works in a school environment with artificial light and air.

COVID-19

Horizons Greater Washington is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards.  As such, we strongly encourage our employees to receive the latest COVID vaccination to minimize the risk of infectious disease in our workplace. 

Horizons Greater Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, homeless status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.