Adjunct Elective Physical Education: Athletic Weights Teacher
Instruction and Curriculum
The Athletic Weights Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, structured, and educational strength and conditioning program for high school students enrolled in the Elective Physical Education: Athletic Weights course. The teacher will develop students’ knowledge, skills, and habits related to strength training, conditioning, athletic development, injury prevention, physical fitness, and lifelong wellness. The course is designed to serve students with varying levels of strength-training experience, including students participating in interscholastic athletics and students seeking to improve their overall physical fitness.
Instruction should emphasize proper technique, progressive development, personal responsibility, safety, effort, and measurable individual growth. Instruction will cover topics such as proper lifting techniques and movement patterns, appropriate instruction in exercises like squats, presses, pulls, Olympic-style movements when appropriate, body-weight exercises, and other resistance-training activities. The teacher will also provide instruction regarding appropriate warm-up, cool-down, mobility, flexibility, recovery, and injury-prevention practices. The principles of strength and conditioning, including progressive overload, training volume, intensity, frequency, recovery, and appropriate program design, will be taught. Nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, and other lifestyle factors affecting physical performance and health will also be incorporated.
Differentiation in instruction will be based upon students' age, physical development, experience, ability, medical restrictions, and individual fitness goals. Baseline measures of student fitness and strength will be established when appropriate, and students will be assisted in establishing realistic and measurable individual fitness goals. Student progress will be monitored and documented throughout the course using appropriate assessments to evaluate knowledge, technique, participation, effort, improvement, and mastery of course objectives. Accurate student records, grades, attendance, and other required documentation will be maintained, and meaningful feedback regarding technique, effort, progress, and areas for improvement will be provided.
Safety and Risk Management
Student safety is the highest priority during all strength and conditioning activities. Direct supervision of students will be provided whenever weight-room equipment is being used. Safety rules and procedures will be established, taught, and consistently enforced. Students will be taught appropriate lifting techniques before advancing to heavier or more complex exercises, and appropriate spotting techniques will be taught and enforced. Unsafe or damaged equipment will be immediately removed from student use, and maintenance or replacement needs will be reported to the appropriate administrator. Equipment and training areas will be monitored for unsafe conditions, and appropriate emergency procedures will be followed and responded to appropriately in case of student injuries or medical emergencies. Student medical restrictions, physician instructions, individualized education plans, Section 504 plans, and other applicable student accommodations will be recognized and accommodated.
Athletic Development
Strength and conditioning instruction will support the development of the whole student rather than specializing exclusively in a particular sport. Foundational athletic qualities that may benefit students participating in a wide variety of activities and sports will be developed. Proper movement patterns and balanced physical development will be promoted. Coordination with physical education staff, athletic administration, athletic trainers, coaches, and other school personnel regarding student safety and development will occur when appropriate.
Weight Room and Equipment Responsibilities
The Athletic Weights Teacher will assist in maintaining an organized, clean, professional, and safe weight-room environment. Procedures for the appropriate storage and use of weights and equipment will be developed, and regular visual inspections of equipment and facilities will be conducted. Deficiencies, safety concerns, or repair needs will be reported promptly, and appropriate inventory records will be maintained when assigned. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for maintaining the condition and organization of the facility, and appropriate equipment will be returned following use.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintaining appropriate Indiana teacher licensure for the assignment as required by law and the school corporation is a requirement. All Indiana laws, Indiana Department of Education requirements, school board policies, administrative regulations, and school procedures will be followed. Participation in faculty meetings, professional development, department meetings, and other assigned activities will be ensured. Communication with students, parents, administrators, counselors, coaches, athletic trainers, and other staff members will be appropriate, and student confidentiality will be maintained. Professional judgment and ethical conduct will be demonstrated, and knowledge of current research and best practices related to physical education, strength training, conditioning, adolescent development, and student safety will be kept up-to-date. Other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned by the building principal or superintendent/designee will be performed.