Physical Education (PE) Teacher | Middle School | ECPA

About Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is New Haven’s first dedicated middle school for young men. Our mission is to develop resourceful, resilient, and responsible young men who think critically, lead ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. ECPA provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters mastery of learning while preparing students to navigate real-world choices with confidence and integrity. Through exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, leadership development, and hands-on learning opportunities, our young men cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in high school, college, and beyond.

About the role

We are seeking an energetic and mission‑aligned Founding Years Physical Education (P.E.) Teacher to join our team at ECPA. In this role, you will design and lead a dynamic and culturally responsive physical education program that develops our students’ physical literacy, health knowledge, sportsmanship, and self‑discipline. As a founding‑years P.E. teacher, you will have the rare opportunity to join a team still in its infancy and build a comprehensive, engaging, and equity‑driven health and fitness curriculum that supports the physical and social‑emotional well‑being of middle school boys. You will also play a vital role in establishing a schoolwide culture that values teamwork, perseverance, and character through movement, sport, and physical health education.

You will join a team committed to building a school where young men are affirmed, held to high expectations, and equipped with the habits, discipline, and self‑belief needed to thrive in high school, college, and life. As ECPA expands from its inaugural cohort toward full scale, your work will help develop the physical literacy, teamwork, and personal discipline that empower students to lead healthy lives — young men who understand their bodies, take ownership of their well‑being, and carry confidence, resilience, and character into life and every arena they enter.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and visionary educator who is passionate about physical education, youth development, and health equity — and who wants to build a legacy of wellness and empowerment in the lives of young men in New Haven.

Responsibilities

• Excellence and High-Impact PE Instruction: Develop and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate physical education lessons that promote physical fitness, movement skills, health literacy, and teamwork; create a culture of health and wellness aligned with ECPA’s holistic and equity-driven mission; foster positive identity development, sportsmanship, and leadership among young men through structured physical activity; differentiate instruction to support all learners, including students with diverse needs and physical abilities; monitor student progress, maintain assessment data, and adjust instruction to ensure students meet established goals.
• Culture and Community Leadership: Establish a structured, joyful, and inclusive environment that prioritizes safety, effort, and mutual respect; inspire students to take pride in their physical development and personal growth; reinforce ECPA’s values and character development model through athletics and physical education; collaborate with teachers and staff to support a positive and productive school culture; lead or support extracurricular activities such as intramural sports, fitness clubs, or wellness programs.
• Collaboration & Professional Learning: Engage in weekly professional learning, including coaching, co‑planning, department work, and grade‑level collaboration; collaborate with colleagues to build a positive, high‑performing adult culture centered on continuous improvement and shared responsibility for student success; give and receive feedback to refine instructional practice and improve student outcomes.
• Leadership & Contribution Beyond the Classroom: Lead Innovation Lab experiences—clubs, project‑based enrichment, showcases, or community‑based projects—that extend learning beyond the classroom; support common school routines (arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, transitions) to ensure safety, consistency, and a positive, identity‑affirming school culture; lead a homeroom/advisory that builds community, fosters authentic relationships, and supports students’ social‑emotional development; help design and implement schoolwide systems, rituals, and traditions, including exhibitions, performances, and public demonstrations of learning.
• Founding Years Responsibilities: Shape and refine schoolwide systems—academic routines, culture practices, community rituals, and enrichment structures—as ECPA grows into a full 5–8 middle school; embrace feedback and adapt with flexibility, modeling a growth mindset as the school evolves; take ownership of schoolwide initiatives and contribute to special projects that advance the mission in a dynamic, early‑stage environment.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Valid teaching certification in Physical Education, or ability to obtain certification upon employment (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)
  • At least 2–3 years of experience teaching P.E. or coaching youth athletics, with evidence of student growth and engagement
  • A deep understanding of physical development in middle school-aged children
  • A strong sense of reflection and personal accountability for student growth, achievement and experience
  • Ability to create a class environment in which students feel safe, supported and challenged to engage deeply in meaningful work
  • Deep understanding of, and genuine excitement for, working in both a founding school and a single-gender/all-boys school community
  • Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social-emotional learning and culturally responsive pedagogy
  • Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECPA, including a resolute and unshakable belief in the potential of every student to learn, grow and achieve at a high level
  • CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to complete certification prior to start date)
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience teaching or coaching youth in high-need urban settings, with a strong track record of student achievement
  • Experience in an urban, high-expectations charter school setting
  • Experience teaching in a single-gender and/or founding school environment

Mindsets We Value

• Mission-Driven: You believe in the brilliance and promise of all students, particularly young men and young men of color, and want to be part of their success story.
• Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback, are deeply reflective on your personal practices, and are constantly seeking to improve your craft.
• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, solutions-focused, and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.
• Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.
• Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself, and others, to the highest of standards and have a student-centric, “whatever it takes” mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

Compensation

The salary range for the Founding Years Physical Education Teacher position is $50,500 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualification, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility: Ability to move freely during physical education classes and throughout the school building.
• Vision & Hearing: Ability to monitor student activity and communicate effectively in loud or open environments.
• Physical Engagement: Frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, running, lifting sports equipment, and demonstrating physical exercises.
• Stamina: Ability to lead multiple physical education sessions across the school day with sustained energy and focus.

ECPA is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.