Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher

KIPP New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b)

Health benefits

Paid time off

PD opportunities

Job summary

KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is seeking an Adaptive Physical Education Teacher to support students with disabilities by building motor skills, fitness, confidence, and participation in physical education. You will assess needs, contribute to eligibility determinations, and deliver individualized instruction aligned with each student’s IEP.

Collaborating with therapists, teachers, and families, you will help develop goals, monitor progress, and ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and certification in adaptive physical education.
• Commitment to KNOS mission and its core beliefs.
• Employment contingent on background checks and I-9 verification.

Responsibilities

• Assess students’ motor skills and fitness; reflect IEP present levels.
• Develop and update annual IEP goals aligned with student needs.
• Adapt PE instruction to meet IEP goals and provide weekly services.
• Collaborate with OTs, PTs, and teachers to coordinate services.
• Maintain safe, inclusive learning environments and compliant ratios.
• Document progress and participate in IEP meetings as needed.

Skills

Adapted physical education

IEP collaboration

MTSS awareness

Behavior management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Certification in adaptive physical education

State teaching credential

Job description

KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 12 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 2,000 alumni. We are united around a shared promise: to build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students.

Job Description

The Adaptive Physical Education Teacher helps students with disabilities build motor skills, physical fitness, confidence, and participation in physical education. This teacher assesses student needs, supports service eligibility determinations, and delivers individualized instruction aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Through collaboration with educators, therapists, and families, the teacher supports students’ physical, academic, and character development.

Responsibilities

Assessment and individualized planning

• Assess students’ motor skills and fitness levels to ensure that IEP present levels accurately reflect their abilities and needs.
• Evaluate students through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process for adaptive physical education services and reevaluate students currently receiving services.
• Develop and update annual IEP goals and objectives aligned with student needs, curriculum standards, and interventions that support classroom participation.
• Monitor student progress through observation, informal assessment, and consultation with classroom teachers.
• Participate in annual IEP meetings, as needed.

Instruction and service delivery

• Adapt physical education instruction, activities, and lesson plans to meet students’ individual needs and IEP goals.
• Provide weekly services as specified in student IEPs, including documented make-up sessions as needed and assigned.
• Provide consultation and implement services in inclusive settings, when appropriate.
• Establish a safe, supportive learning environment through effective student behavior management.
• Ensure teacher-to-student ratios in adaptive physical education courses comply with state requirements.
• Adhere to KIPP’s clinical standards of practice.

Collaboration and communication

• Collaborate with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and classroom teachers to coordinate services and maintain continuity across settings.
• Guide students, instructional assistants, families, and school staff in strategies that strengthen motor skills, participation in individual and group activities, and overall physical fitness.
• Maintain ongoing communication with special education facilitators and case managers regarding student needs, progress, and service delivery.

Qualifications

Required of all KIPP New Orleans teachers:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Certification in adaptive physical education
• Personal affinity to our mission and vision, as well as demonstrated commitment to our 5 core beliefs: Relentlessness, Elevation, Achievement, Community, and Hope
• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of a professional reference check, proof of identity and work authorization (all KNOS employees must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form), a state background check, and verification of teaching experience

Strongly preferred:

• At least two years of teaching experience in urban, open enrollment schools
• Demonstrated success raising student achievement outcomes
• State issued teaching credential

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively, including in noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds and in classrooms or large group professional settings.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and digital devices, and must maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials) and to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods.
• Must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, and cafeterias, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during supervision or emergency situations.
• Ability to safely lift and move up to 30 lbs independently.
• Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using personal transportation.
• This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Commitments

• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors.
• Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders.
• Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals.
• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings.

Additional Information

• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
• 403(b) retirement plan: KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately.
• Health and wellbeing benefits start the first day of the month following date of hire, including comprehensive, customizable health coverage, disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees.
• ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off.
• Opportunities for on-going professional development.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. It does not constitute a promise of employment or a contract between KNOS and any of its employees.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP New Orleans Schools is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KNOS has facilities.

Please contact our regional Talent Team at [e-mail] with any questions.