Physical Education Teacher leave replacement-Fieldston Lower in New York, New York at Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Who we are?

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Fieldston Lower, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 270 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 60 faculty members.

What is essential about working at our school?

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

Position Summary
ECFS is seeking a Physical Education Teacher to serve as a leave replacement for Fieldston Lower, working with students from PreK-5th grade. The candidate should be dynamic, creative, and experienced in best practices for physical education in lower grades. This individual will join a team of committed and collaborative colleagues.

The leave replacement position is expected to be from September 8, 2026, through November 24, 2026. Please note dates are subject to change.

This is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency) position with a hiring range of $14,824.14 - $35,606.21.

Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the Physical Education Teacher will include:

• Teaching sports skills, team sports, fitness classes, recreational activities, and swimming;

• Attending PE team meetings and divisional meetings when invited by the principal(s);

• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize various tasks, and stay organized;

• The capacity to maintain a pleasant and positive attitude toward teaching and learning;

• Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;

• Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians at scheduled conferences;

• Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations;

• Maintaining accurate student record keeping including grades and attendance;

• Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth;

• Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;

• Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;

• Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; and

• Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.

Position Requirements

The successful incumbent will possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in physical education or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is highly preferred;

• Prior experience and proven ability in teaching physical education in grades Pre-Kindergarten-5th grade;

• Flexibility to teach different methods and strategies to meet students' needs;

• Understanding of and desire to work with lower school-aged students;

• The ability to exemplify ECFS’s core values in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues;

• A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;

• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community;

• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;

• Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills;

• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;

• The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks;

• A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools);

• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and

• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled.

EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.