Athletic Director and 8th Grade PE Teacher - Palo Alto, United States - The Girls' Middle School

Description

The Girls' Middle School

Imagine a school where each day is alive with learning and the spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls' Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls* during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages girls to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS: and

*At GMS, "girls" refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.

Mission

The Girls' Middle School educates girls at a crucial time in life. We create an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished. A GMS girl discovers her strengths and expresses her voice while respecting the contributions of others.

The Position

The Girls' Middle School is seeking a dedicated and experienced middle school educator to oversee all aspects of the after-school athletics program as Athletic Director, teach physical education to four sections of 8th grade, collaborate closely with the 8th-grade team, serve as PE department chair, and participate in a range of activities that support GMS's innovative and engaging programming.

Teaching at GMS

At the core of GMS is our extraordinary faculty. Every teacher at GMS has a passion for working with middle school girls and believes in the fundamental value of the middle school experience. They are attentive to, value, and support every student in the school. The GMS teachers are middle school specialists and subject matter experts, bringing passion to their work and sharing it with the students. Whatever interests a GMS student – from physics to programming, sculpture to skateboarding, musical theatre to metal shop – there is an adult ready to help them advance that interest as far as they can go.

Teaching at GMS means participating in a joyful, inclusive, and respectful community of students and adults. You will be surrounded by enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-driven faculty who appreciate autonomy in creating learning experiences while thriving in a collaborative environment. Our teachers enjoy opportunities to create multi-faceted, interdisciplinary projects and participate in fun field trips and travel experiences.

The Girls' Middle School Athletics Program

GMS is a member of the WBAL-Skyline Division, a league of seven independent schools located across the Peninsula. The Athletic Director is an active participant in monthly league meetings and oversees all aspects of the GMS after-school athletics program throughout four sports seasons, which include the following sports: softball, cross country, swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and track.

GMS is committed to inclusion and participation in all athletics programs. Any student, regardless of ability or experience, may play on the athletic teams. To accommodate the range of skills and abilities, we organize different levels of teams for all sports, including Varsity and Junior Varsity. At GMS, students are encouraged to learn and play in a positive, encouraging, and fun atmosphere. Unlike club sports, school athletics provides students with the opportunity to play with friends. GMS ensures that all students have the required equipment needed to play a sport.

The Athletic Director provides direct oversight of all aspects of the after-school athletics program, which includes hiring, training, and supervising coaches for a variety of sports; securing and scheduling on-site and off-site practice and game facilities; organizing transportation to practices and games/matches; initiating sports signups and managing tryouts, team placement, and player availability; maintaining sports equipment, uniforms, and calendars; communicating with player, parents, and school administration. The Athletic Director reports to the Assistant Head of School.

PE at The Girls' Middle School

GMS values and teaches the importance of being active and staying healthy. Our physical education curriculum gives girls the opportunity to build skills and learn and play sports in a supportive environment. We want to create lifelong athletes. Throughout their three years, students participate in fitness activities, learn the skills and rules of traditional sports, and explore movement through nontraditional activities like African dance, self-defense with Impact Bay Area, and skateboarding.

Equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of our mission. The Girls' Middle School was founded on the core belief that diverse and inclusive communities are strong communities. We are committed to creating a school culture that welcomes all aspects of each individual's identity. We are actively seeking individuals who value equitable education and are committed to fostering an environment of belonging for our diverse student body.

The Girls' Middle School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis.

The candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. GMS does not support applications for work visas.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter at: https://the-girls-middle-

Key Qualifications

• Teaching and coaching experience, with a strong preference for experience with middle school-aged students
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study
• Experience hiring and supervising coaching staff
• Familiarity with sports team management software, such as TeamSnap, is a plus
• Applicants must have a valid California drivers license, minimum of five years of driving experience, and an excellent driving record Skills & Qualities
  • Commitment to experiential, project-based learning, narrative assessment, and other progressive pedagogies
  • Enthusiasm for the mission of The Girls' Middle School
  • Demonstrated skill designing equitable and inclusive educational experiences and learning environments that incorporate themes of diversity and belonging
  • Ability to manage and leverage parent volunteers
  • Openness to feedback and a growth mindset
  • Eagerness and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
  • Passion for supporting girls in discovering their strengths and finding their voice
  • A sense of humor and love for the middle-school age
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills