High School Physical Education / Elective Teacher

James Irwin Charter High School | Colorado Springs, CO

School Year: 2026–2027
Position Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday | In Person

Position Overview

James Irwin Charter High School (JICHS) is seeking an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and student-focused Physical Education / Elective Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year and beyond.

The successful candidate will teach physical education and/or assigned elective courses while helping students develop physical fitness, teamwork, self-discipline, personal responsibility, and strong character.

The position follows a seven-period school day, typically consisting of five instructional periods, one study hall, and one planning period.

A teaching license, education degree, or prior teaching experience is not necessarily required. We welcome candidates with strong subject knowledge, a passion for working with high school students, and a willingness to learn our instructional methods. Candidates must meet applicable Colorado qualifications for their teaching assignments.

At James Irwin, we believe that all students can learn and want to learn. We are committed to developing each student's academic potential and character while providing a supportive, structured, and academically challenging learning environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction and Student Development

• Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging physical education and/or elective lessons aligned with school curriculum and standards.

• Teach students appropriate physical fitness techniques, teamwork, sportsmanship, personal responsibility, and healthy habits.

• Establish and maintain a safe, structured, positive, and productive learning environment.

• Use Active Participation and Explicit Instruction methodologies, including instructional strategies developed by Dr. Anita Archer.

• Differentiate instruction to support students with varying abilities and learning needs.

• Integrate character development and positive behavior expectations into daily instruction.

• Assess student learning and progress through assignments, participation, assessments, and other appropriate measures.

• Maintain consistent classroom management and enforce school policies, dress code, and behavioral expectations.

• Collaborate with fellow teachers and department leaders to maintain consistent instructional practices.

Classroom and Administrative Responsibilities

• Develop and submit weekly lesson plans for department-head review.

• Maintain accurate and current student grades, attendance, and academic records in Infinite Campus.

• Enter a minimum of two meaningful grades per week.

• Monitor student performance and communicate regularly with parents and guardians, particularly when students are struggling academically.

• Prepare and administer unit assessments, quarterly assessments, and other evaluations as appropriate.

• Use student performance data to guide instruction and improve learning outcomes.

• Participate in instructional coaching, professional development, classroom observations, and formal and informal evaluations.

• Maintain a safe and organized instructional environment, including appropriate supervision and care of physical education equipment.

Additional Faculty Responsibilities

• Supervise an assigned study hall.

• Serve as a House Sponsor, mentoring and supporting students within the school's House system.

• Assist with student supervision, detention monitoring, and other assigned duties.

• Participate in school events and activities, including occasional chaperoning of dances, athletic events, and other student functions.

• Attend required faculty meetings, professional development sessions, and school activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned by school administration.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Subject Qualifications

James Irwin Charter High School follows applicable Colorado Department of Education requirements for determining whether teachers are qualified to teach their assigned subjects.

For assignments subject to Colorado's In-Field qualifications, candidates may qualify through at least one of the following:

• An appropriate endorsement on a Colorado teaching license.

• A bachelor's degree or higher in the assigned subject area.

• At least 24 semester credit hours in the assigned subject area.

• A passing score on an applicable State Board of Education-approved content examination, such as the Praxis.

Candidates are not required to have a traditional education degree or prior classroom teaching experience to be considered, provided they meet applicable qualifications for their assigned teaching responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of physical education, fitness, sports, wellness, and/or assigned elective subjects.

• Experience working with high school-aged students in educational, athletic, coaching, mentoring, or youth-development settings.

• Ability to plan and deliver structured, engaging lessons.

• Familiarity with student assessment and classroom management.

• Willingness to learn and implement James Irwin's instructional methods.

• Previous teaching, coaching, or related experience is beneficial but not required.

Desired Skills and Characteristics

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate a genuine passion for working with high school students.

• Support the mission, vision, and character expectations of James Irwin Charter Schools.

• Be energetic, positive, dependable, flexible, and solution-oriented.

• Maintain high expectations for student behavior, academic achievement, and personal responsibility.

• Demonstrate strong classroom management and student-engagement skills.

• Be comfortable enforcing school rules and expectations consistently and respectfully.

• Communicate professionally and effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and administration.

• Possess excellent organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.

• Be proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Be willing to learn Infinite Campus and other school technology systems.

• Accept and implement constructive feedback through instructional coaching and evaluations.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support student success.

• Model professionalism, integrity, good judgment, and strong character.

• Maintain a calm, professional demeanor when managing challenging situations.

• Dress appropriately for a professional academic environment and the responsibilities of physical education instruction.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is committed to doing what is best for students, eager to grow professionally, and excited to be part of a collaborative school community.

Compensation and Benefits

Position: Full-Time, 2026–2027 School Year

James Irwin Charter Schools offers an excellent benefits package for eligible full-time employees, including:

• Medical insurance with multiple plan options, including traditional and high-deductible plans with Health Savings Account options.

• Employer-paid employee medical premiums on most available plans.

• Employer-paid dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Life insurance.

• Paid time off.

• Retirement benefits through Colorado PERA.

• Free, licensed on-site daycare for staff at our Astrozon campus, based on availability.

• School-issued laptop for professional use.

• Extensive teacher training, instructional coaching, and professional development.

• School-year work schedule with compensation distributed over 12 months.

Specific compensation and benefit eligibility will be discussed during the hiring process.

James Irwin Charter Schools is committed to helping students achieve their full academic and personal potential.