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Wellness and Physical Education Educator

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Position description

Geffen Academy faculty approach teaching as an intellectual profession of the highest order, one in which knowledge is not only transmitted but created. Geffen Academy teachers possess a sophisticated and reflective understanding of their discipline and a record of achievement which demonstrates their ability to utilize and contribute to the robust connections we have with UCLA, a world-class research institution. Teachers’ innovation is guided by our school’s mission to prioritize proven educational practices while also recognizing that teaching is a complex intellectual endeavor that defies rigid codification. We are committed to a humane working environment and also recognize that teaching goes beyond the life of the mind. Geffen Academy teachers seek to create trusting and caring relationships with their students and with their larger community.

Job Summary
Under the direction of the Physical Education and Wellness Department Chairs at Geffen Academy and the relevant division director, Geffen Academy Educators will be responsible for the delivery of an excellent program of secondary school instruction, including participation in the creation of a course of study, offering excellent instruction to the Academy’s students in as many as five (5) courses each term, and participating in the life of the Academy in a robust and fully engaged manner. This is a bargaining unit covered position.

Physical Education (Approximately 40% appointment)
The curriculum at Geffen Academy presents a multi-faceted exploration of Physical Education. Geffen Academy will provide a wide variety of opportunities for our students to be physically active throughout their work week, and educate them on the positive benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during their time on our campus, and beyond. Physical Education will be a mandatory core subject at the middle school level, and will enable all students, regardless of age, gender, or ability, to participate in a discovery program that will provide physical activity, a stress reliever, and a stimulus to mind and body. All high school students will take a minimum of 4 trimesters of PE electives plus one trimester of Water Safety and Emergency Preparedness. The opportunity for Geffen Academy students to experience many different activities and facilities throughout the UCLA Campus is key to our mission and vision. The Physical Education curriculum will incorporate many important life skills such as leadership, character development, grit, determination, collaboration, and teamwork. By incorporating a robust physical education program into our core curriculum, Geffen Academy students will be fitter and healthier, and more productive citizens. They will learn life lessons that will help them to function at a higher level in college, and to live healthy lives in mind and body. Faculty members should be broadly competent and able to teach a variety of courses in a 6-12 curriculum.
• The Physical Education Department will have a middle school discovery program that will explore a variety of different specializations, and a high school program with particular elective classes.
• Candidates should have extensive experience in secondary school physical education instruction.
• The preferred candidate would hold current certifications in some, or all, of the following areas of expertise:
• Yoga Alliance, Registered Yoga Teacher [or equivalent]
National Strength & Conditioning Association, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist [or equivalent]
Core Duties and Functions
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, collaborate with other faculty in creation of an Academy program that meets the needs and interests of the Academy’s students
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, collaborate with relevant UCLA faculty in devising programs that enable the Academy’s students to take advantage of the Academy’s relationship with a research university operating at the cutting edge of knowledge creation
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, evaluate and choose books, digital materials, experiential opportunities such as museum visits and theatrical performances, and other academic resources
• Communicate information about student progress to relevant student services colleagues, including but not limited to department head, Dean of Students, academic advising and college guidance staff, Academic Coordinator, Registrar, counselor/psychologist, and athletic team coaches
• Participate in department representation at parent evenings and recruitment events
Consistent with department leadership’s direction, assess the continued relevance and success of course offerings within the department
• Participate in committee work, whether the committee’s focus is solely within the department, or reaches to other parts of the Geffen Academy enterprise
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, participate in interdisciplinary instructional programs
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, serve as instructors/mentors/advisers of students’ independent projects
• Consistent with Academy leadership’s direction, engage in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, orient new faculty and establish appropriate mentoring relationships
• Meet as needed with the department
• Consistent with department leadership’s direction, participate in continuing professional development activities
• Be available to provide proper coverage of instructional work for both scheduled and unscheduled absences of colleagues
• Be available to students and parents for any and all department related issues
• This list of duties is not exhaustive. Department heads will be expected to assure that all aspects of the Geffen Academy program within the ambit of their disciplines is led by capable staff who are carefully supervised and appropriately compensated
• A Geffen Educator’s workload may vary from term to term and year to year. Each Geffen
• Academy Educator’s annual contract will reflect the workload anticipated for the time covered by the contract.
• Supervise students as needed.

Wellness Educator (approximately 60% appointment)
Core Duties and Functions
● Collaborate with the Wellness Director and other educators in creation of an Academy wellness program that meets the need and interests of the Academy’s students
● Develop, organize, implement, and evaluate appropriate program of wellness lessons in accordance with the stages of human development
● Collaborate with relevant UCLA faculty and staff in devising programs that enable the Academy’s students to take advantage of the Academy’s relationship with a research university operating at the cutting edge of knowledge creation
● Prepare and analyze a new student wellness assessment program that is guided by the most recent and convincing research and the expressed interests of prospective students and their families
● Evaluate and choose books, digital materials, experiential opportunities such as museum visits and theatrical performances, and other academic resources
● Provide safety instruction to students and establish standards of safe student behavior
● Cultivate in each student an understanding of and commitment to health education and personal hygiene
● Communicate any concerns with student health, conduct or learning problems with parents and the administration
● Represent the Academy’s wellness program at parent evenings, recruitment events and conferences
● Coordinate the wellness aspects of interdisciplinary instructional programs and student exchange programs
● Be available to students and parents for any and all wellness related issues
● Serve as an advisor in the school’s advisory program
Qualifications:
● The successful candidate should have a Bachelor of Art’s degree or higher in public health, psychology, physiology, or a related field
● A successful track record working with secondary school students and teaching social emotional learning lessons
● A clear understanding and embrace of the Academy’s mission, vision and values
● Mastery of health and wellness pedagogy
● An excellent record of establishing and maintaining safety in a secondary school setting
● Strong background in secondary education with a clear understanding and embrace of the Academy’s mission, vision, and values
● A record of outstanding success as a secondary education
● A joyful embrace of teaching and coaching
● The ability to think and act strategically combined with a strong commitment to providing an excellent experience for each student
● Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills to articulate and explain instructional issues to colleagues, students, and families
● Must be self-directed and able to effectively prioritize and handle multiple tasks subject to frequent interruption
● Must be capable of developing and sustaining close, effective working relationships with colleagues in the department and from other parts of UCLA and of the Academy staff on matters of interdisciplinary and institutional concern
● Experience in a variety of managerial and supervisorial roles within a secondary school or company would be a plus.

Apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/apply/JPF04942. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.”

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our Sample Guidance for Candidates and related EDI Statement FAQ document.

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)