Elementary School Athletic Coach

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child in every school and every neighborhood has access to a world-class learning experience.

Elementary School Athletic coaches instruct and work with student athletes to prepare them for competition. Coaches help athletes to play their best individually, but more importantly as a team in sports such as basketball, cross country, track and field, soccer, volleyball, and floor hockey. They must be well versed on the rules, strategies, and techniques of their sports. Coaches must also know about sports equipment, physical fitness, and safety.

The Elementary School Athletic Coach will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Assists in registering all 5th through 8th grade students who are interested in participating in any sports offered at their school.
• Prepares their student-athletes through daily practice sessions during the season, which should be conducted a minimum of twice per week and a minimum of an hour per session.
• Accompanies their team to all games and guide the team throughout the league season.
• Exhibits and mentors the student-athletes in good sportsmanship and fair play.
• Ensures that all student-athletes on their team are guaranteed participation time in all practices and games.
• Attends the rules interpretation meeting and training(s).
• Attends the mandatory Coaches’ Meeting sponsored by the Office of Sports Administration.
• Monitors their student-athletes progress on the court and in the classroom.
• Monitors the conduct of their student-athletes for the duration of each practice and game.
• Provides a safe environment for the student-athletes by checking the playing area and equipment before each practice and game.
• Promotes fairness, extra effort, and encourages athletes to reach their personal best.
• Instructs student athletes in the basic rules and fundamentals of the sport.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Elementary School Athletic Coach must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in sports science, exercise, kinesiology, fitness, physical education or physiology preferred.

Certification Required:

A coach must be concussion certified prior to coaching, obtained within the last two years.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess leadership skills, and be able to set an example for the players.
• Excellent communication skills in order to inspire players and work with them on improvement.
• Must be available to work week days during before and/or after school hours for practice and meets, also on Saturdays for games.  
• Must be prepared to work in bad weather and be willing to travel with the team and chaperone at different locations for contest.