Lower School Physical Education Specialist

LOWER SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST ABOUT KHAN LAB SCHOOL: Khan Lab School, founded by Sal Khan in 2014, is an innovative TK-12 independent school with 3 campuses, serving over 260 students in Silicon Valley, CA and Wichita, KS. Our Lower School (grades TK-5) is in Palo Alto, CA, our Middle and Upper Schools (grades 6-12) are in Mountain View, CA, and the newest KLS campus (grades 4-9) is in Wichita, KS. We were established to test and refine the educational vision outlined in Sal Khan's 2012 book, "The One World Schoolhouse," which explores the development of modern education, the origins of Khan Academy, and a forward-thinking approach to both in-person and online learning. Building on this foundation, Sal Khan's latest book, "Brave New Words," further expands on his educational philosophy and vision for the future. At Khan Lab School, we're committed to implementing these innovative ideas and preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving knowledge economy. 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. SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Academic Duties: - 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. Teaching & Vision Alignment: - 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 Direct…