Middle School Wellness Teacher (Long-Term Substitute) [High Rock Middle School] (FY26))

This posting is for a long-term substitute position for leave of absence expected to commence on February 27 2026 through March 20 2026.

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive dynamic and multicultural community seeking an energetic skilled and warm long-term substituteWellness Teacherto join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency equity and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools 2 middle schools and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias bullying and hurtful acts that demean and diminish.

Job Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute quality wellness lessons for 6th-grade students at High Rock covering both health and physical education;
• Implement a comprehensive wellness curriculum focused on the six dimensions of wellness (social emotional physical intellectual spiritual and occupational/leisure aspects) to promote a well-rounded education;
• Teach a variety of units including invasion games striking games net games team challenges and leisure activities fostering collaboration problem-solving and active participation;
• Instruct essential health topics such as nutrition decision-making sex education and communication preparing students to make informed choices regarding their health and well-being;
• Promote the value of health and physical education throughout the school and community;
• Collaborate with other teachers to integrate curriculum and develop creative programming to enhance student learning experiences;
• Work with professionals from other disciplines (e.g. classroom teachers counseling health services etc.) to meet the individual needs of students;

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates an ability to work with diverse populations of staff and students;
• Strong understanding of the six dimensions of wellness and how to integrate wellness concepts into physical education and health programs promoting student responsibility for their own well-being;
• Strength in teaching both physical education and health topics through a thematic (skills) approach including Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) curriculum models;
• Ability to foster collaboration problem-solving and communication skills in students through team challenge units and recreational pursuits;
• Demonstrates special training or proficiency in sexuality education and essential health topics relevant to middle school students;
• Ability to promote lifelong wellness habits through a balanced curriculum that integrates physical activity mental health and decision-making.

Required Qualifications:

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) license in Physical Education at the appropriate grade level.

Selection Procedure

Please apply online. Applications will be considered only when a cover letter resume three letters of recommendation license and transcripts have been attached to your online application. All resumes will be screened and selected candidates will participate in a thorough interview process.

Compensation:

Compensation for substitutes is based on the duration of the coverage:$22.40/hr -$43.23/hr

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion disability age active military/veteran status ancestry genetic information or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies employment policies and other administered programs and addition students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.

Required Experience:

IC