2025-2026 Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director

Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati’s pluralistic Jewish Day School, is looking for a Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director beginning with the 2025 - 2026 school year. 

Who are we? 

Our mission is to expand minds, celebrate Judaism, nurture community, and commit to building a better world. An exceptional student-teacher ratio allows us to value each student as a true individual, discovering what gives them their inner spark. The school serves students from 12 months old through eighth grade.

Who are you? 

You are an educator who can teach physical education and health while inspiring a love of learning. You enjoy the opportunity to work with students from 12 months old through eighth grade. You create a learning environment that is nurturing, playful, safe, and educational. You inspire students to be active and to focus on health and wellness. You know that PE is about fun and also about learning important life skills. You focus on social-emotional development alongside the academic curriculum. You see the value of maintaining open lines of communication with parents, administrators, and colleagues. And, you act as a professional who is committed to the success of Rockwern Academy and its students.

Qualified applicants will have a bachelor’s degree (MA preferred), relevant teaching credentials (or be eligible to receive credentials), and teaching experience in the elementary grades.

Knowledge of Judaism is not required, and candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All candidates should be eligible to work in the United States.

Reporting relationship

The position is responsible to the Principal. 

Teacher Responsibilities

Instruction

• Create and maintain a safe, organized, fair, effective, and inviting classroom that reflects the teacher’s awareness of students’ physical, social, and intellectual development and needs

• Prepare, submit, and follow weekly lesson plans that mirror the curriculum and support desired learning, adapting as appropriate

• Manage classroom behavior in a positive and supportive manner

• Present curricular material in a clear, fresh, and relevant manner, using a variety of media, activities, and groupings

• Actively seek ways to integrate curricula across disciplines

• Prepare and maintain materials and supplies that enhance learning

• Design realistic and age-appropriate units and long-term assignments that support the curriculum and enhance students’ development and learning

• Individualize instruction to meet students’ needs:

• Learn students’ preferred learning modalities, current understandings, and skill level

• Actively seek ways to implement Responsive Classroom components*

• Work to close gaps in learning

• Seek additional resources

• Encourage students to help one another

• Create time to work individually with children

Communication

• Post relevant, accurate, and timely information to Rockwern’s Learning Management System

• Contribute, when asked, to the weekly school e-newsletter or other communication or marketing vehicles

Professionalism

• Suggest improvements in curriculum, assessment, policies, practices, etc.

• Attend required events and other extra-curricular activities, and PTO functions when possible

• Assume responsibility for personal professional development, exhibiting commitment to lifelong learning

• Use an Individualized Professional Development Plan to communicate goals and objectives

• Seek out and attend workshops, seminars, etc. that contribute to professional goals and enhance practice

• Maintain all pertinent documentation relevant to Rockwern Academy’s required eight hours of professional development yearly and for state licensure, if applicable

Athletic Director Responsibilities

• Organize basketball teams for students in Rockwern’s K-8 program

• Coordinate the preschool soccer program, currently through Soccer Shots

• Attend league meetings

• Ensure compliance with state and school policies regarding student health and safety; coordinate relevant training for coaches

• Review league game schedule for conflicts 

• Manage uniform/equipment distribution and collection

• Identify a monitor to supervise gym during practice, and coordinate schedule. 

• With the Director of Admissions and Outreach, coordinate the annual pep rally 

• With the Head of School, determine the viability of other seasonal sports offerings (i.e. volleyball and soccer) and coordinate them when there is sufficient interest

On Sundays during basketball season: 

• Open the facilities and set up for games

• Responsible for monitoring the gym, players, coaches, and parents

• Ensure that the concession and door admissions have a cash box and are staffed

• Coordinate the monitoring and payment of the scoreboard operator; provide equipment 

• Make sure that unused areas of the building are secured 

• In inclement weather, coordinate with the Head of School on whether to have games or cancel/postpone

• Take care of first aid needs

• Tidy up after games and secure the facility

Benefits

We are proud to offer benefits including paid time off (sick, personal, and holiday); employer-paid life, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance; employer-subsidized medical/prescription plans (including HSA/FSA/DFSA options); dental and vision plans; additional compensation beginning in the second year of service; and tuition reduction plans for employees who send their children to Rockwern. Other voluntary health and financial insurance options, legal and identity protection plans, and access to a group 403(b) retirement plan are also available.

Opportunities for additional compensation: You can lead after-school rollerblading, after-school sports & games, or other after-school activities of your choice for additional compensation.