Coverage Specialist - PE

About the role

KIPP Baltimore seeks a Coverage Specialist (PE) to support the school day and promote healthy, active lifestyles for students.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate physical education lessons that build fitness, motor skills, teamwork, and healthy habits.
• Set clear expectations and routines for safe participation in physical activity and sports.
• Differentiate activities to meet the needs of students with varying physical abilities, including those with IEP/504 accommodations.
• Track student participation and growth, using informal assessment to adjust instruction and activities.
• Model and reinforce sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for self and others.
• Provide reliable, high-quality coverage for classrooms, recess, lunch, dismissal, and other periods when teachers or staff are absent or unavailable.
• Quickly build rapport with unfamiliar groups of students and maintain a safe, structured, on-task environment during coverage periods.
• Follow lesson plans, routines, and behavior systems left by classroom teachers with fidelity.
• Move fluidly between grade levels and classrooms across the school day, adapting tone and approach to the age group and context.
• Communicate clearly with the front office/operations team about daily coverage needs and any issues that arise during a coverage period.
• Implement and reinforce school-wide culture, behavior management, and safety policies consistently across all settings.
• Actively supervise students during transitions, recess, lunch, and physical activity to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
• Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral incidents, injuries, or emergencies, following school protocols.
• Foster a positive, energetic, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages student effort, confidence, and sportsmanship.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues across the whole school community.
• Communicate proactively with teachers, families, and staff regarding student participation, behavior, or needs observed during PE or coverage periods.
• Uphold the school's vision, mission, and values by engaging positively with the broader school community.
• Engage in professional development and collaborate with colleagues to continuously improve instruction and coverage practices.
• Maintain flexibility and a positive attitude given the varied, fast-changing nature of the role.
• Adhere to all school policies, complete clerical tasks as needed, and take on additional duties or school-wide initiatives as assigned.

  Qualifications

  • Certification in Physical Education not required, though willingness to pursue Maryland State Teacher Certification is a plus.
  • Experience teaching or coaching physical education, athletics, or a related field (Strongly Preferred).
  • CPR/First Aid certification (Preferred).
  • Passion for working with students from historically resilient communities (Required).
  • Experience teaching in a predominantly African American environment (Preferred).
  • Demonstrated ability to manage large groups and adapt quickly across different age groups and settings (Required).

  Desired Qualities

  • Energetic and Adaptable: Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, moving seamlessly between teaching a PE class and covering a 3rd grade classroom.
  • Builder of Healthy Habits: Passion for physical activity and wellness, makes movement fun, inclusive, and motivating for students of all skill levels and abilities.
  • Steady Presence, Any Room: Creates calm, order, and engagement in any classroom or space, even with students they don't see every day.
  • Reflective Leadership and Growth: Sees every challenge as an opportunity, a lifelong learner, seeks feedback, and refines practice.
  • Planned and Prepared: Approaches each day with intention, ready to pivot between lesson plans and someone else's on a moment's notice, ensuring students always have a safe, structured, and engaging experience.

  Additional Information

  • Competitive salary with opportunities for growth.
  • Benefits include health insurance (Kaiser, BlueChoice, CareFirst), dental and vision coverage, prescription medication, and retirement plans through the State of Maryland or City of Baltimore, plus optional 403(b) savings plans.
  • Additional benefits include life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance counseling, dependent child tuition waivers, and higher education tuition reimbursement.
  • Application Steps: Submit an Online KIPP Application, complete a Phone Interview, submit a Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) Application, submit a Sample Video Lesson and Pre-Interview Work, participate in an On-Site Interview, and provide a Statement of Non-Discrimination.