About this role
Rockwood Preparatory Academy is hiring a Physical Education Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. We are a K-5 charter school in the Rockwood neighborhood of Portland, serving students in the Reynolds School District. Our mission is simple: every student who walks through our doors leaves with rock-solid reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling skills.
We run a Direct Instruction model, which means our curriculum is structured, proven, and always focused on student achievement. We believe that where a child comes from has nothing to do with what they're capable of - and we build our school around that belief every single day. That's not just something we say; It shows up in our data, in our classrooms, and in the students who leave RPA reading well above grade level.
That belief doesn't stop at the classroom door. The expectations you'll find in our reading and math blocks are the same ones you'll find in the gym.
If you're the kind of person who can get a class of kindergarteners to line up, listen, and still have a great time, and who thinks a well-run gym is a beautiful thing, you're going to love this role.
The PE Teacher sees every student in the building. Every grade, every week, all year long. You'll know our kids by name by October and they'll know you, and for a lot of them PE is the part of the day they look forward to most. You get to teach kids what their bodies can do, what it feels like to keep working at something hard, and how to be a good teammate on the days they lose.
What the Job Looks Like
You'll plan and teach PE to all K-5 students on our specials rotation, building lessons around movement skills, fitness, coordination, and sportsmanship. You'll set clear routines and expectations so class time is spent moving instead of managing, because PE at RPA is structured on purpose. Students know what to expect when they walk in, transitions are quick, and every kid participates.
You'll manage equipment, keep the gym and outdoor spaces safe, track student progress toward grade level standards, and partner with classroom teachers so the behavior expectations students see in your class match the ones they see everywhere else. Like everyone here, you'll take a share of supervision duties and you'll occasionally step in to cover elsewhere in the building when we need you. In return, you'll have a supportive team around you, strong systems that actually work, and leadership that wants to see you succeed.
What We're Looking for
Oregon Teaching License required, with a Health and Physical Education endorsement or eligibility to add one. Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to earn it, and a background check.
Strong management of large groups of young kids, good organizational skills, comfort with technology, and the energy for a full day on your feet. The ability to stay calm when the schedule shifts or the weather sends you indoors with 25 third graders and a plan you just rewrote in your head.
Most importantly - a belief that all children are capable of high levels of achievement when given the right instruction and support. If you've been looking for a school that shares that belief and actually lives it out, this is it.
The Details
• 193 work days beginning August 17, 2026
• Daily schedule is 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with required PD until 4:30 on Wednesdays
• Salary ranges from $42,211 to $79,678+ depending on license type and experience
• Employer-paid 6% PERS, medical, dental, vision, and EAP
• Bonus opportunities available as budget allows
Come work with us in Rockwood. We'd love to have you on our team. $42,211 to $79,678+