Wellness Teacher

The Academy for Global Citizenship is seeking a dedicated full-time Wellness/PE Teacher to join our team. This role focuses on delivering dynamic, movement-based instruction that promotes lifelong healthy habits. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed around the wellness wheel, guiding students in exploring and strengthening all aspects of their well-being—including physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual health—through engaging and meaningful learning experiences. In addition to physical activity, the program includes instruction in nutrition and mindfulness, helping students develop a deeper understanding of how to care for their bodies and minds both inside and outside the school. The start date would be August 1st, 2025.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching Wellness and Physical Education classes to students in grades PreK through 5, using developmentally appropriate and engaging instructional strategies.
• Creating a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment that promotes physical activity, self-regulation, and cooperative learning.
• Demonstrating strong classroom management skills that foster student engagement, respectful behavior, and a culture of movement and mindfulness.
• Incorporating key components of the wellness wheel—including physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual wellness—into weekly lesson plans.
• Integrating nutrition education and mindfulness practices into lessons to support the development of lifelong healthy habits.
• Further developing and adapting the existing wellness/PE curriculum to align with schoolwide values, student interests, and current best practices in physical and health education.
• Collaborating weekly with the Specialist Team (Art, Music, Spanish, etc.) to ensure cross-curricular integration and consistency in student experiences.
• Participating in professional development opportunities related to wellness, equity, trauma-informed practices, and physical education.
• Supporting the social-emotional growth of students through intentional activities that build empathy, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Completing lunch and/or recess duties, ensuring student safety and supporting positive interactions and active play.
• Maintaining equipment, organizing materials, and managing the use of shared spaces for physical education.
• Building relationships with students, families, and colleagues to support a community-centered approach to wellness education.
• Participating in school-wide events, parent conferences, and community wellness initiatives as needed.

We are looking for staff who...

• Have a big heart to match a big brain
• Are bilingual in English and Spanish
• Want their work to define best practice
• Respect and thrive in a dynamic, changing, and growing environment
• Know extraordinary things can happen when people work hard together
• Want to participate in a laboratory for innovation in education

Working at AGC means...

• Being surrounded by thoughtful, inquisitive students and hard-working, like-minded colleagues
• Thinking outside of the box to do what is best for our students
• Being held to high standards for continuous personal and school improvement
• Promoting student profile qualities of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP): inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, well-balanced, and reflective.
• Having high academic expectations for every student in the school everyday
• Getting your hands dirty in our school garden
• Enjoying 100% organic, scratch made meals prepared by our on-site chef
• Working in an environmentally sustainable school culture

Skills and Experience:

• Bilingual: English and Spanish (Required)
• 2+ years of related experience (Preferred)
• Familiarity with physical education curriculum: Spark (Preferred)
• Familiarity with physical education curriculum: Healthy Bites, Emeril (Preferred)
• Strong leadership skills and personal drive
• Familiarity with a progressive educational environment
• Practices meditation and yoga

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• State of Illinois teaching certificate in physical education (Preferred)

Compensation:

Competitive salary based on experience and level of education. Full benefits, free breakfast and lunch, wellness fund, and professional development funds offered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, or disability.

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume to srombouts@agcchicago.org