Career Center

Burgundy Farm Country Day School is a progressive, coed day school on a pastoral 26-acre campus near Alexandria, Virginia. We serve 280 children in junior kindergarten through 8th grade. Burgundy believes children learn best in an inclusive, creative and nurturing environment that engages the whole child. Our innovative, hands-on approach to education cultivates independent thinking, promotes academic excellence, instills respect for diversity, and teaches responsibility for self, for others, and for the natural world. For more information, visit www.burgundyfarm.org. 

Position Description

This position requires being devoted to students’ overall and physical well being, growth and learning. The role also requires being knowledgeable about physical education for Lower and Middle School and the development of children, and planning a curriculum in keeping with the progressive mission, philosophy, and values of the School.

The PE Teacher/Athletic Director must be able to communicate well and in a timely fashion, be a positive role model, establish standards for fair play and sportsmanship, generate enthusiasm for fitness, and support the mission of the school, in addition to attending to the many details that make an athletic program run well. 

The Physical Education teacher (approx 60% FT) /Athletic Director position (approx 20% FT) reports to the Assistant Head of School and the Middle School Coordinator. The remaining (approx 20%) of this faculty role will be allocated to Advisory and/or Homeroom and to coaching  one team per season, along with any special projects and initiatives directed by the Head of School or Middle School Head. 

Responsibilities Include:

Teaching

• Teach physical education (PE) classes to grades 6-8 according to a thoughtfully planned curriculum.
• Ensure that the PE curriculum is reflective of accepted standards, progressive educational philosophy, and current research regarding adolescent development.
• Provide interesting and creative lessons to students of varying learning styles and athletic abilities, with exposure to a variety of fitness activity, games and sports that are accessible to a diverse set of students.
• Create an environment that is conducive to safe play, good sportsmanship, and development of physical and emotional skills.
• Maintain a focus on skill development and fun over competition.  
• Prepare and develop lesson plans, participate in school duties, including curriculum development and accreditation study, and attend faculty meetings and curriculum nights.
• Write thoughtful end-of-trimester reports that speak to specific aspects of students’ development. 

Athletic Director

• Maintain sports teams as approved in advance by the Head of School and the Middle School Head, and in accordance with approved policy.

• Prepare and regularly review and update a Coaches Handbook with rules of games, guidelines and directions to all league schools.
• Hire coaches who are age-appropriate, properly vetted, and trained in the particular sport

• Schedule practices and games on days/times 
• Communicate with parents at least two weeks and ideally one month before each season with: tryout dates and information; practice and game/contest schedule.

• Confirm contests and full schedules in writing and again by direct phone conversation not later than the day before games.
• Communicate a complete calendar as well as expectations and philosophy for the two levels of teams to students and parents.
• Ensure that practices and games do not compete with or conflict with other programs, especially those previously scheduled.
• Ensure that teams have had adequate practice before competing.
• Plan and budget adequately, within approved budget and prescribed guidelines.
• Purchase equipment and uniforms;
• Hire and confirm appropriate officials for each team sport event.
• Meet with league representatives at least annually.
• Take personal responsibility to see that the field(s), running course, or gym are properly prepped, including water, first aid, clock and benches, etc. all in a timely fashion. 
• Ensure that season-concluding activities are held and all participants recognized.
• Attend to other duties as directed by the Head of School or Middle School Head.

Advisor

• Serve as the social-emotional and academic point person for 8-11 middle school students
• Attend morning meetings daily (8:00-8:25 AM)
• Participate in advisor-parent conferences
• Team with grade-level advisors to oversee the full grade-level experience
• Participate in Middle School meeting times and grade-level meeting times
• Attend Cove (our West VA campus) trips twice per year 

Salary and Benefits:

• Salaries are based on a competitive independent school scale with increases for advanced degrees and experience; $2000 step increase for master’s degree.
• Health, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability, as well as a retirement plan, are offered to all full-time employees. 
• 403(b) plan with TIAA, with an initial 3% match and then 6% match by the school after two years, irrespective of employee contribution.
• A tuition benefit (1/2 discount) is offered for one qualified child attending Burgundy to full-time employees only. (Fac-staff children are eligible for additional financial aid also.)

Qualified and interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references to: Jared Givarz, Middle School Head (jaredg@burgundyfarm.org)