Physical education teachers play a crucial role in schools, helping students develop physical abilities, understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and cultivate teamwork and leadership skills.

If you’re interested in becoming a physical education teacher, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps and provide insights into the profession.

Understanding the Role of a Physical Education Teacher

Physical education teachers are responsible for instructing students in physical activities, sports, and overall fitness.

They design lesson plans that cater to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate and improve their physical abilities.

Besides teaching physical skills, PE teachers also emphasize the importance of health, nutrition, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing physical education curricula
• Teaching various sports and physical activities
• Assessing student performance and progress
• Promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyles
• Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students

Skills Required

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of physical fitness and sports
• Ability to motivate and inspire students
• Patience and adaptability
• Organizational and planning skills

Physical Education Teacher Requirements

To become a physical education teacher, you’ll need to meet certain educational and certification requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education, kinesiology, or a related field. This degree will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for a career in PE teaching. Coursework typically includes:

• Exercise physiology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Sports psychology
• Health and nutrition
• Teaching methods for physical education

Complete a Teacher Preparation Program

In addition to your degree, you’ll need to complete a teacher preparation program. This program is designed to prepare you for the classroom by providing training in teaching methods, classroom management, and educational psychology.

Many universities offer combined degree and teacher preparation programs, allowing you to complete both requirements simultaneously.

Obtain State Certification

After completing your education and teacher preparation program, you’ll need to obtain state certification to teach physical education. Certification requirements vary by state but generally include:

• Passing a state-specific teaching exam
• Completing a background check
• Submitting a teaching portfolio or proof of student teaching experience

Consider Advanced Degrees

While not required, pursuing an advanced degree can enhance your knowledge and career prospects. Advanced degrees may also qualify you for higher salaries or leadership positions within schools.

Gaining Experience and Building Your Career

Once you’ve met the educational and certification requirements, it’s time to gain experience and build your career as a physical education teacher.

Student Teaching Experience

During your teacher preparation program, you’ll complete a student teaching experience. This hands-on training allows you to work in a classroom under the supervision of an experienced teacher, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop your teaching style.

Finding a Job

With your education and certification in hand, you’re ready to start your search for physical education jobs. Look for physical education teacher jobs at public and private schools, as well as community organizations and recreational centers.

Networking with other educators and joining professional organizations can also help you find job opportunities and advance your career.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

As a physical education teacher, it’s important to stay updated on the latest trends and research in the field. Attend workshops, conferences, and courses to continue your education and improve your teaching skills. Many states also require teachers to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification.

Challenges and Rewards of Being a Physical Education Teacher

Like any profession, being a physical education teacher comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.

Challenges

• Managing large classes and diverse skill levels
• Addressing the needs of students with disabilities or health concerns
• Balancing administrative tasks with teaching responsibilities
• Keeping students motivated and engaged

Rewards

• Making a positive impact on students’ health and well-being
• Watching students grow and improve their physical abilities
• Teaching important life skills such as teamwork and leadership
• Being an advocate for health and fitness in your community

Becoming a physical education teacher is a fulfilling career choice for those passionate about fitness and education. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to making a difference in the lives of students and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

Remember to stay committed to your professional development and continue seeking opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge. With dedication and perseverance, you can thrive as a physical education teacher and inspire the next generation to lead healthier lives.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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Physical activity can have a significant impact on people of all ages, but it is particularly important for school-aged children. As children grow and learn, this is one facet of their development that should not be overlooked. It is so beneficial, in fact, that schools should have mandatory physical education (P.E.) time built into their curriculum if they do not already.

Physical Benefits

It is well-documented knowledge that exercising for at least 30 minutes daily is a great way to stay physically healthy. Physical health can delay the onset of disease and statistically increase lifespans. Daily P.E. classes, particularly at the junior high and high school levels, are a great way to keep teens active who might otherwise begin an early onset to a sedentary lifestyle.

With this class built into their school day, students do not have to be involved in extracurricular activities or get a gym membership to achieve this recommended daily level of exercise. Not only is this convenient for them while they are a student, they are also being taught many skills by their coach and teacher, which will likely encourage them to continue participating in these lifelong activities well beyond high school.

It is clear that physical health contributes to living longer, but it can also be a cause for improving the quality of life. Physical activity is vital for promoting long-term health. It also contributes to health benefits beyond the physical sense.

It can also have positive effects on mental health as well. This is becoming even more important for students, because mental health is an alarming issue for young people, particularly during the pandemic.

Psychological Benefits

It is no secret that many teenagers go through phases where they struggle with self-body image issues. Weight gain can be a major issue with young people physically speaking and psychologically, which can contribute to mental health issues.

Regular exercise achieved in physical education classes can combat this issue. Exercise also has other benefits to promote mental health, such as reduced stress, improved mood, better self-esteem, and increased mental alertness. All of these benefit students in highly positive ways.

In an era when students are struggling with mental health at an alarming rate, physical education classes can certainly help combat this major issue. The pandemic has caused so many students and adults issues in coping with mitigations and government mandates. Teens already had a high rate of mental health problems before the pandemic. Still, the recent COVID-19 pandemic strategies have worsened existing mental issues among students and have created brand new ones in others.

It is more important now than ever before to find ways to curb these issues. Requiring students to have 30 minutes of daily activity through physical education class can assist students with their coping mechanisms and reduce depression and suicidal thoughts.

Social and Emotional Benefits

There are certainly some characteristics that young people can build upon by staying active, which is another benefit of physical education in schools. Many athletes can have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by being active and on a team. Being a part of a team is something that almost everyone will someday have to experience. Physical education classes are structured and organized with team activities, preparing students for real-life team situations.

They can develop their social skills with classmates, and they will likely boost their academic performance also. Being physically active and working toward goals or benchmarks, particularly on a team, can create confidence as well. As relationships form by being part of a team, peer acceptance is sure to follow suit, along with the ability to have empathy for others.

How Physical Education has Changed Due to COVID and How to Adjust

The pandemic has revolutionized the way we do things in schools. While the 2020-2021 school year was an incredible challenge, educators are slowly figuring out how to adapt. At the start, physical education classes were not the same. Locker rooms were shut down, so wearing P.E. uniforms was no longer the norm. Playing with equipment and playing together with others was also not encouraged early on.

Slowly, things started to change. When sports and extracurricular activities were getting back to normal, this allowed for gym class to follow suit. While classes were adapted and nearly on a sabbatical last school year, things are tracking closer to normal this year. Some schools still require masks to be worn indoors, but wearing P.E. uniforms, accessing lockers, and playing on and with equipment are no longer barriers in many schools. This comes as a massive relief for those that enjoy sports and physical activity.

For a long while, communities were stripped of things that were a large part of our lives. Both kids and adults were highly disappointed when school sports and activities were temporarily halted. Not only do kids get enjoyment from activities, parents and community members also enjoy watching these activities. Physical education classes can instill a certain degree of interest in students who will carry this with them their entire lives. Often, that interest promotes physical activity through lifelong activities that are taught in daily P.E. classes.

Ideally, these activities will promote healthy lifestyles among postgraduates for decades to come, making a strong case for physical education class being just as important as academic courses in PK-12.

Interested in working with students and physical education? Check out our available coaching graduate degree programs!

*Updated January 2022

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