Job Description

Elective Physical Education: Athletic Weights Teacher

Position Title

Teacher – Elective Physical Education: Athletic Weights

Position Summary

The Athletic Weights Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, structured, and educational strength and

conditioning program for high school students enrolled in the Elective Physical Education: Athletic Weights course.

The teacher will develop students’ knowledge, skills, and habits related to strength training, conditioning, athletic

development, injury prevention, physical fitness, and lifelong wellness.

The course is designed to serve students with varying levels of strength-training experience, including students

participating in interscholastic athletics and students seeking to improve their overall physical fitness. Instruction

should emphasize proper technique, progressive development, personal responsibility, safety, effort, and

measurable individual growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction and Curriculum

Plan and deliver standards-based physical education instruction appropriate for a high school athletic

weights course.

Develop and implement a structured strength and conditioning curriculum that promotes progressive

improvement in strength, power, speed, mobility, flexibility, muscular endurance, and overall physical fitness.

Teach students proper lifting techniques and movement patterns, including appropriate instruction in

exercises such as squats, presses, pulls, Olympic-style movements when appropriate, body-weight

exercises, and other resistance-training activities.

Teach students how to safely use free weights, weight machines, resistance equipment, racks, platforms,

and other strength and conditioning equipment.

Provide instruction regarding appropriate warm-up, cool-down, mobility, flexibility, recovery, and injury-

prevention practices.

Teach students the principles of strength and conditioning, including progressive overload, training volume,

intensity, frequency, recovery, and appropriate program design.

Incorporate age-appropriate instruction regarding nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, and other lifestyle

factors that affect physical performance and health.

Help students understand the relationship between strength training, physical fitness, athletic performance,

injury prevention, and lifelong wellness.

Differentiate instruction based upon students’ age, physical development, experience, ability, medical

restrictions, and individual fitness goals.

Student Assessment and Progress

Establish baseline measures of student fitness and strength when appropriate.

Assist students in establishing realistic and measurable individual fitness goals.

Monitor and document student progress throughout the course.

Use appropriate assessments to evaluate student knowledge, technique, participation, effort, improvement,

and mastery of course objectives.

Maintain accurate student records, grades, attendance, and other required documentation.

Provide students with meaningful feedback regarding technique, effort, progress, and areas for

improvement.

Emphasize individual growth and proper technique rather than competition based solely upon the amount of

weight lifted.

Safety and Risk Management

Make student safety the highest priority during all strength and conditioning activities.

Provide direct supervision of students whenever weight-room equipment is being used.

Establish, teach, and consistently enforce weight-room safety rules and procedures.

Ensure students demonstrate appropriate lifting techniques before advancing to heavier or more complex

exercises.

Teach and enforce appropriate spotting techniques.

Monitor equipment and training areas for unsafe conditions.

Immediately remove unsafe or damaged equipment from student use and report maintenance or

replacement needs to the appropriate administrator.

Maintain appropriate spacing, organization, and traffic flow within the weight room.

Follow appropriate emergency procedures and respond appropriately to student injuries or medical

emergencies.

Follow student medical restrictions, physician instructions, individualized education plans, Section 504 plans,

and other applicable student accommodations.

Maintain current knowledge of accepted practices for high school strength training and conditioning.

Athletic Development

Provide strength and conditioning instruction that supports development of the whole student rather than

specializing exclusively in a particular sport.

Develop foundational athletic qualities that may benefit students participating in a wide variety of activities

and sports.

Promote proper movement patterns and balanced physical development.

Coordinate, when appropriate, with physical education staff, athletic administration, athletic trainers,

coaches, and other school personnel regarding student safety and development.

Recognize that the Athletic Weights course is an academic course and ensure that instructional decisions,

grading practices, and student participation requirements are consistent with school academic expectations.

Provide equitable instruction and opportunities for students regardless of athletic team participation, gender,

ability level, or previous weight-training experience.

Student Expectations and Culture

Establish a positive, disciplined, inclusive, and encouraging weight-room environment.

Develop a culture emphasizing:

o Safety;

o Proper technique;

o Consistent effort;

o Personal accountability;

o Respect;

o Teamwork;

o Self-discipline;

o Goal setting; and

o Continuous improvement.

Teach students appropriate weight-room etiquette and responsibility for equipment.

Encourage students to support and encourage classmates while respecting individual differences in

strength, ability, and experience.

Model appropriate exercise habits, sportsmanship, professionalism, and personal conduct.

Maintain high expectations while providing appropriate encouragement and support to all students.

Weight Room and Equipment Responsibilities

Assist in maintaining an organized, clean, professional, and safe weight-room environment.

Develop procedures for the appropriate storage and use of weights and equipment.

Conduct regular visual inspections of equipment and facilities.

Report equipment deficiencies, safety concerns, or repair needs promptly.

Assist administration in evaluating equipment replacement and purchasing needs.

Maintain appropriate inventory records when assigned.

Ensure students properly return weights and equipment following use.

Encourage students to take responsibility for maintaining the condition and organization of the facility.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain appropriate Indiana teacher licensure for the assignment as required by law and the school

corporation.

Follow all Indiana laws, Indiana Department of Education requirements, school board policies, administrative

regulations, and school procedures.

Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, department meetings, and other assigned

activities.

Communicate appropriately with students, parents, administrators, counselors, coaches, athletic trainers,

and other staff members.

Maintain student confidentiality.

Demonstrate professional judgment and ethical conduct.

Maintain knowledge of current research and best practices related to physical education, strength training,

conditioning, adolescent development, and student safety.

Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned by the building principal or

superintendent/designee.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Appropriate Indiana teaching license or permit for the assigned position.

Knowledge of physical education, strength training, conditioning, and appropriate exercise techniques.

Knowledge of safe weight-room supervision and equipment use.

Ability to instruct students with a wide range of physical abilities and previous training experience.

Ability to establish and maintain a safe, structured learning environment.

Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, and administrators.

Ability to demonstrate and teach proper strength-training techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates possessing one or more of the following:

Experience teaching secondary physical education.

Experience developing or implementing high school strength and conditioning programs.

Experience working with high school student-athletes.

Demonstrated knowledge of strength and conditioning principles and injury-prevention practices.

Certification through a nationally recognized strength and conditioning organization, such as:

o National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA);

o Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS);

o National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA); or

o Another recognized strength, conditioning, or fitness certification.

Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable

accommodation. Duties may require the employee to:

Stand and move throughout the weight room for extended periods.

Demonstrate appropriate exercise and lifting techniques.

Bend, reach, squat, kneel, push, and pull as necessary for instruction and supervision.

Assist with the movement and organization of strength-training equipment.

Visually monitor multiple students participating in physical activity.

Respond quickly to unsafe conditions or emergency situations.

Work in an environment involving frequent physical activity, noise, and movement.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be demonstrated by:

A safe and well-supervised weight-room environment.

Consistent enforcement of safety procedures.

Students demonstrating proper exercise and lifting techniques.

Evidence of measurable student growth.

High levels of student engagement and participation.

Appropriate differentiation for students of varying ability levels.

Effective classroom and weight-room management.

Positive relationships with students and staff.

Appropriate maintenance and care of equipment and facilities.

Professional collaboration with the physical education department, athletic department, administration, and

other school personnel.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the school corporation’s teacher evaluation procedures,

applicable Indiana law, and school board policy.

Disclaimer

The statements contained in this job description describe the general nature and level of work performed by an

individual assigned to this position. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities,

duties, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. The school corporation reserves the right

to modify or assign additional duties as necessary.