Lower School Physical Education Specialist

Khan Lab School • Palo Alto, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lower School Physical Education Specialist at Khan Lab School designs and leads an engaging, student-centered physical education program for students in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 5. This role focuses on developing students’ physical literacy, fitness, and sportsmanship through intentionally sequenced, multi-week units that prioritize skill-building, collaboration, and joy in movement. The Specialist cultivates a strong foundation in health and wellness, helping students build awareness, confidence, and lifelong habits around physical activity in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. The Physical Education Specialist is an active member of a collaborative teaching community and contributes meaningfully to the life of the school. This educator uses assessment to inform instruction, differentiates learning to meet a wide range of student needs, and communicates regularly with families and colleagues. The Physical Education Specialist is both a skilled teacher and an engaged learner who is energized by innovation, open to mastery-based approaches, and eager to continuously refine their practice in alignment with the school’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3-5 years of elementary school teaching work experience.
• Expertise in teaching physical education curricula from an introductory level to advanced concepts.
• Understanding and support of Khan Lab School’s core values, mission, and vision.
• A passion for working with elementary students and a keen understanding of where they are developmentally.
• Commitment to inquiry-based, project-based learning, and other progressive pedagogies.
• Prior experience analyzing student data and using a variety of assessment techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents.
• Flexibility to shift and take on a variety of tasks, as the lab school continues to grow and change.
• Ability to reflect on effectiveness of own practice, respond well to feedback, and adjust instruction accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Teach a minimum of 20 hours per week of Physical Education to Lower School students (TK-5), during the standard school day and Extended Day, as determined by the Lower School Director.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate, multi-week (at least three weeks) physical education units that foster the development of physical fitness and sportsmanship and advance the school’s mission.
• Cultivate each student’s understanding of health and wellness and their commitment to exercise and physical conditioning.
• Maintain regular communication with students, families, teachers, and other professionals about student progress and submit progress reports by the due date at the end of each term.
• Prepare students to participate in Student-Led Conferences.
• Other related duties, as assigned.
• Facilitate classes with an emphasis on active learning and real-world contexts, minimizing direct instruction.
• Primarily utilize methods such as think-pair-share, experiential learning, case studies, peer teaching, independent studies, and inquiry-based learning.
• Leverage assessment data to inform instruction, provide timely feedback to students, and complete progress reports by identified deadlines.
• Utilize external instructional resources , including Khan Academy, to accommodate diverse learning needs and backgrounds for in-person courses.
• Collaborate with school leadership to identify materials.
• Develop curriculum and learning experiences aligned with the KLS teaching vision.
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and learning needs in collaboration with the school leadership and as approved by the Executive Director.
• Actively explore and stay current with emerging technologies, including AI tools, and apply them meaningfully to your role.
• Create an inclusive environment where students of diverse backgrounds and political perspectives feel welcome, fostering critical thinking through thoughtful questioning.
• Work collaboratively with the Lower School team to support student learning and contribute to the ongoing development of the school.
• Fulfill duties as assigned by the Lower School Director, such as playground supervision.
• Be accessible to students for interaction and support.
• Write letters of recommendation for summer and school programs, as requested.
• Attend faculty meetings and participate in professional development , including team meetings, departmental meetings, and any schoolwide professional development programming.
• Serve as a faculty ambassador for the Admissions team during our re-enrollment and admissions period. This includes Pre-Admission events and Post Application Events; these events may take place outside of school hours.
• Uphold professional and ethical standards in all interactions within the school community.
• Participate in activities that contribute to the life and culture of KLS, to be determined in collaboration with the Lower School Director. This could include participating in and planning school events or facilitating a student club.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• a 401K retirement plan with an employer match
• basic life insurance
• short-term and long-term disability insurance
• generous paid time off including paid holidays, sick time, and floating holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level