Coverage Specialist - PE

KIPP SoCal Public Schools; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Job summary

KIPP Baltimore is seeking a Coverage Specialist (PE) to provide high-quality physical education and to cover classrooms, recess, lunch, and other periods when teachers are unavailable. You will build relationships across grade levels, reinforce school-wide culture and safety routines, and ensure students remain safe, active, and engaged throughout the day.

The role requires delivering engaging PE lessons, differentiating activities for diverse learners, and collaborating with the Principal and

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).

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 needs of students with varying abilities, including IEP/504 accommodations.
• Track student participation and growth using informal assessment to adjust instruction.
• Model and reinforce sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for self and others.
• Provide reliable coverage for classrooms, recess, lunch, dismissal, and other periods when teachers are absent.
• Move between grade levels and classrooms, adapting tone and approach to age group and context.
• Follow lesson plans and behavior systems with fidelity; communicate coverage needs to front office.
• Uphold school culture, safety policies, and supervise transitions and activities for student safety.

Skills

Physical Education

CPR/First Aid certification

IEP/504 accommodations awareness

Classroom management

Movement and fitness instruction

Education

Maryland State Teacher Certification preferred

Job description

Company Description

At KIPP Baltimore, we know that education has the power to change lives and build stronger communities. As part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, we are driven by a shared mission to ensure that every student has access to an excellent education that prepares them for success in college and life. Our staff are instrumental in shaping this vision. You will be a vital part of an effort to uplift students from systemically underserved communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential.

Why Join KIPP Baltimore

At KIPP Baltimore, we know that our staff are the key to unlocking student potential. As a Baltimore City Public Schools employee, you'll receive competitive compensation and benefits, while thriving in a supportive, dynamic environment dedicated to your growth and success.

You will have access to robust professional development opportunities and clear leadership pathways, empowering you to continuously refine your skills and take on new challenges. Your ideas and contributions are valued and celebrated, and you'll play an essential role in shaping the future of our students and community.

In recognition of the extra dedication you bring, you will be compensated for additional time invested in professional development beyond the standard 180 school days. For example, our staff are paid for five extra days at the start of the school year, ensuring you are fully equipped to thrive in your role. Join us in making a lasting impact on Baltimore's students and schools.

Job Description

As a Coverage Specialist (PE) at KIPP Baltimore, you play a vital, flexible role in keeping our school day running smoothly while promoting healthy, active lifestyles for our students. You will provide high-quality physical education instruction on a regular basis, while also stepping in to cover classrooms, recess, lunch, and other periods when teachers are unavailable. As a steady, engaging, and highly visible presence throughout the building, you will build relationships across grade levels, reinforce school-wide culture and safety routines, and ensure students remain safe, active, and engaged no matter whose classroom or period you're covering. You will work closely with the Principal, Operations team, and teaching staff to ensure consistent, well-managed coverage and a strong physical education program.

Position Responsibilities

Physical Education Instruction

• 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.

Coverage and Flexibility

• 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.

Culture, Safety, and Supervision

• 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.

Relationships and Community Engagement

• 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.

Professionalism and Development

• 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: You thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, moving seamlessly from teaching a PE class to covering a 3rd grade classroom to supervising recess — all within the same day, and all with the same level of energy and care.

Builder of Healthy Habits: You bring a genuine passion for physical activity and wellness, and you know how to make movement fun, inclusive, and motivating for students of all skill levels and abilities.

Steady Presence, Any Room: You are the person students and staff can count on to walk into any classroom or space and create calm, order, and engagement — even with students you don't see every day.

Reflective Leadership and Growth: You see every challenge as an opportunity. As a lifelong learner, you are always seeking feedback and refining your practice, and you use self‑awareness to strengthen your relationships with students and colleagues across the school.

Planned and Prepared: You approach each day with intention, ready to pivot between your own lesson plans and someone else's on a moment's notice, ensuring students always have a safe, structured, and engaging experience.

Additional Information

As a Baltimore City Schools employee, you'll receive a 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

1. Submit an Online KIPP Application: Explore our job board to find a position that aligns with your interests and expertise.
2. Complete a Phone Interview: Our Recruitment Manager will conduct an initial phone interview. To accommodate your busy schedule, we offer both daytime and evening interview options.
3. Complete the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) Application: All candidates must submit an application through Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS). In Maryland, charter school teachers are employees of the school district, with salaries, benefits, and pensions provided through BCPSS. Candidates must be deemed eligible for hire by BCPSS to proceed in our selection process.
4. Submit a Sample Video Lesson and Pre‑Interview Work: Candidates will submit a 30‑45 minute video demonstrating their teaching or instructional presence, following the provided guidelines. Pre‑interview work includes preparing relevant materials to discuss during the on‑site interview and submitting a brief written response to an interview question.
5. Participate in an On‑Site Interview.

Start Date: 26-27 School Year

For more information about this position, please contact Cha`Dalena Hart, Recruitment Manager, at [e-mail] or 410‑499‑9673.

Statement of Non‑Discrimination

KIPP Baltimore is committed to the ideal of diversity in its student body and in its faculty and staff. KIPP Baltimore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnicity. We are strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under‑represented backgrounds.