Job Description

Salary Rate: $46,244.76 - $95,817.42 – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package!

Location: The YMCA Academy

15 Breadalbane St., 3rd floor

Work Hours: Must be available to attend Parent/Teacher interviews, Open Houses, Parent Socials, Curriculum Information Sessions for Parents, etc.

Employment Type: Contract Full Time Salaried

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: Immediately

Deadline to Apply: August 21, 2026

Be the Spark! Join our passionate YMCA Academy team and help us to achieve great things in our community!

The Academic Physical Education and Science Teacher will provide planning and instruction for YMCA Academy Secondary School.

Inspired and supported by the YMCA of Greater Toronto, The YMCA Academy is a small, innovative alternative secondary school in downtown Toronto. Created to respond to unique learning needs, the school delivers the Ontario Ministry of Education’s secondary school curriculum. Our personal differentiated approach, specialized programs and individualized use of assistive technology are ideally suited to those students with learning disabilities or learning style differences. The Academy embodies perfectly the vision of the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement engaging lesson plans that align with the Ontario curriculum for Physical Education and Science.
• Foster a love for physical fitness, health, and scientific inquiry through various motivational activities and projects.
• Utilize a variety of instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of students
• Integrate technology and multimedia resources into lessons to enhance learning.
• Design and adapt curriculum materials that foster physical fitness, health education, scientific literacy, and critical thinking.
• Ensure that the curriculum reflects current best practices in both physical education and science.
• Develop and administer formative and summative assessments to evaluate student learning.
• Provide timely individualized and constructive feedback to students to support their academic and physical growth, and to help them achieve their full potential, addressing different learning needs and styles.
• Manage classroom materials and resources, ensuring a safe, clean, and organized workspace for students, as well as, physical activity settings to ensure student safety and engagement.
• Develop and administer formative and summative assessments to evaluate student learning.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and achievements.
• Create a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages respect and collaboration.
• Implement classroom management strategies to ensure a safe and productive learning atmosphere; address and resolve conflicts or behavioral issues in a fair and consistent manner.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the varied learning needs and abilities of students in both physical education and science.
• Provide additional support and resources for students with learning difficulties or exceptionalities.
• Serve as a mentor and role model, guiding students in their academic, personal, and physical development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, administrators, and support staff to enhance the educational experience.
• Participate in departmental meetings, school committees, and professional learning communities.
• Attend Parent/Teacher interviews, Open Houses, Parent Socials, Curriculum Information Sessions for Parents; discuss student performance and strategies for improvement in parent-teacher conferences
• Maintain open and regular communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress and school events.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with educational best practices and curriculum changes.
• Organize and participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss student performance and strategies for improvement.
• Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions as required by the school.
• Maintain accurate records of student attendance, grades, and other required documentation.
• Prepare and submit reports, as needed, for school administration and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
• Participate in extracurricular activities, such as intramurals, fitness clubs, or science clubs, to support the overall school community.
• Assist in organizing and supervising school events, field trips, and other activities.
• Adhere to all school policies, procedures, and regulations set by the school board and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

You bring:

• Completion of a recognized teacher education program, such as a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) with a specialization or major in Physical Education, Kinesiology, Science, or equivalent, with a focus on secondary school education.
• Completion of a successful teaching practicum in a secondary school setting as part of teacher education program; previous teaching experience at the secondary school level is highly desirable, particularly in teaching Science and Physical Education.
• Strong academic background in both physical education and various scientific disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
• Membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and hold a valid teaching certificate.
• Qualifications to teach in the Intermediate (Grades 7-10) and/or Senior (Grades 11-12) divisions.
• Additional qualifications or specialist certifications in specific areas such as Special Education, physical education and science teaching topics preferred.
• Completed a successful teaching practicum in a secondary school setting as part of the teacher education program.
• Proficiency in a variety of teaching methodologies and instructional strategies tailored to diverse learning styles and needs.
• Ability to design and implement effective assessment tools to evaluate student learning and progress.
• Ability to develop and implement engaging lesson plans for both physical education and science subjects.
• Competence in integrating educational technology into the classroom and physical education settings to enhance learning and engagement (e.g., fitness tracking apps, laboratory simulations).
• Strong digital literacy skills to manage online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and digital communication with students and parents.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information and foster positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents.
• Strong classroom management skills to create and maintain a safe and productive learning environment in both classroom and physical activity settings.
• Certification in first aid and CPR, and knowledge of health and safety regulations related to physical activities.
• Willingness to participate in and support extracurricular activities such as intramural clubs, fitness clubs, or science clubs.
• Dedication to continuous learning and professional growth through attending workshops, conferences, and pursuing further education.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse school community and incorporate inclusive practices that respect and reflect the diversity of the student population.
• Demonstrated experience in and enthusiasm for working with youth with learning disabilities, social/emotional needs, and/or language processing challenges who are under-performing or who are disengaged from their learning process.
• Knowledge of current curricular trends, use of manipulatives and assistive technologies.
• Ability to work within the complexities of a large, not-for-profit charitable organization.
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with students, parents/guardians, staff and volunteers.
• Excellent understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity including the ability to identify and address barriers, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and integrate equity into program design.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.