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The Requirements to Teach Physical Education – PE Teacher Requirements

The requirements to teach Physical Education in the United States are, first and foremost, an accomplished four years bachelor degree in athletic training and physical education, or something equivalent. You must also be physically fit and able to demonstrate application of theories. A background of athletic sports is an advantage and good communication skills are essential. A Physical Education teacher is responsible for ensuring physical fitness and health in the curriculum by exercise, sports, and other activities. One is not merely a gym supervisor but also knowledgeable in nutrition. Not only are PE teachers responsible for physical activities, but also for teaching health and nutrition in a classroom setting.

There are a variety of degree options that an aspiring PE Teacher can choose from including BS in Heath Science, BS in Health and Wellness, Master of Public Heath, Master of Healthcare Administration, and more. Some courses you might see in college are Physical Education Theory, Theories of Sport Pedagogy, Team Sports, Individual Sports, General Teaching Methods, Human Development and Physical Education Classes for the Physically Impaired.

The salaries for PE teachers are on par with other teacher with salary averages ranging from $33,000 to $51,000 per year. But this will highly depend on the state where you will be teaching. For example, according to the Indiana University website, the annual average income of a Physical Education teacher at a middle school level is at around $24,700 with health-care and retirement benefits.

Physical education subjects do not demand an excessive amount of physical work anymore. Rather, the goal of the PE department should be to promote physical fitness and help students commit to a lifelong healthy habits and activities. Teaching PE also involves coaching, physical therapy, personal training and professional athletics. Furthermore, medical and health related professions may also be accepted. Another abstract that is highly recommended by schools is staying fit. This is to inspire students to stay healthy by making a role model for them. Sports are also other examples of expanded horizons for a Physical Education teacher. As a PE teacher you might be expected to be capable of training and working with student team athletes on different strategic approaches. The PE teacher is also often looked to be involved as a coach in sports they specialize in. Physical education teachers are responsible for not only the PE subject alone but also the overall athletic physical fitness elements in a school’s curriculum.

A good and qualified Physical Education teacher, coach, or instructor must always be an advocate of health both inside and out. This includes hygiene, general heath, exercising, nutrition, and more. Not only should the student see a PE teacher as a healthy model, but also someone who is sincerely devoted and committed to holistic health. These professionals extend their knowledge and apply their wisdom outside the boundaries of gym exercises and protein shakes. They must inspire and encourage their students to stay healthy and commit to changes that will allow then to live healthy and active lives.

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Physical Education Classes More Than Just Gym

If you didn’t like playing dodge ball – well, you’re probably not alone in that thought. But physical education class offers many valuable lessons for students that last their entire lifetimes. Physical education class is more than just gym class.

It teaches physical coordination. Students learn about balance and grace. Elementary school children can develop large and fine motor skills in PE or recess. Adolescents going through puberty go through a typically awkward stage of development. Physical education class often offers them the ability to learn how to walk with their bodies truly in balance. They learn excellent posture and how to keep themselves in good condition.

Physical Education class teaches how to stay physically fit. Do you remember those warm-up exercises we all did, and those cool-down exercises? The laps around the gym or the field we all ran? Those all taught us that the body does not go from zero to sixty in one straight motion. Every exercise works much better if you warm the body up first and do some type of cool down exercises. Stretching your body is also very good for the muscles.

It teaches that exercise is fun. Some classes today play Ultimate Frisbee or learn karate. Other classes have even played Dance Dance Revolution, the popular PlayStation video game. Physical education teachers today are creative and thinking totally outside-the-box to find fun activities. They are offering exercise alternatives that students will want to do outside of their school time, and perhaps for the rest of their life.

PE class teaches how to lead a healthy life. Many physical education classes include nutrition and health subjects. They teach basic information about nutrition and the body and what growing bodies need. While our parents are meant to provide health and nutrition information, sometimes children do not listen to their parents but they will listen to another authority figure. Having a gym teacher that you like and respect tells you that it is important to drink your milk everyday is entirely different from having your mother do it.

Some schools include units on the dangers of drugs and alcohol in their PE classes. In today’s world children need to be educated about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol and they need to be educated quickly. Drugs have appeared as young and as early as grade school in some communities. Having children understand that drugs and alcohol are not a “quick thrill” but something that can cause serious harm is a very valuable lesson. Preventing children from trying drugs and alcohol through education can be as valuable as everything else they learn in physical education, if not the most valuable thing they learn today.

In conclusion, Physical Education classes are still important for today’s schools in providing a well rounded education for children. They help get children into the habit of exercise and healthy habits while they are young. Children may discover a sport or activity in elementary school PE class that they later pursue as an extra curricular activity in Junior High or High School. Students of any grade may discover an activity that they can even enjoy for a lifetime. Finally, PE is a great way for kids to just be kids and have some fun.

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Schools Need to Emphasize Physical Education

If we know that exercise prevents heart disease, obesity, diabetes and even cancer, then why aren’t we giving physical education in schools the importance it deserves? Physical education stimulates self confidence and well being. It is essential that schools understand that physical education programs are the stepping stone for exercise throughout an entire lifetime.

Physical education programs teach children about the different sports available, about health issues within sports settings, and even safety issues that need to be dealt with while exercising.

Teach the Importance of Working in Teams
School exercise programs teach children how to work in a team, how to develop healthy habits they can incorporate into their life. Principles that are taught in school can reduce obesity, heart disease and other diseases. It can keep people healthy for the rest of their lives.

Schools Make Exercise Fun
When you implement a good school exercise program, you teach children how physical education can be fun, even if the kids say they hate it, and even if they don’t want to participate in the beginning. Over the long run, they will look back to those PE classes with fondness. Kids learn about different activities and games, things that can be fun, and show them techniques in strategy and team work.

Physical education classes teach children various different life skills like, working together, problem solving, to attain the ultimate end. The learn how to play fairly and how to win or lose at anything, and this translates into a better life, and better life skills. School sports teach children how to train both mentally and physically for any goal.

School Exercise Programs Teach Nutrition
Kids learn about Healthy Eating in school Phys Ed. They learn about the basic foods and they learn about good eating habits. They are taught that eating right helps them do better in all areas of school and helps them think better.

School Exercise Programs Promote Mental Health
Know that recent research also shows that physical exercise in children improves mental and psychological skills. Exercise makes children feel energetic and happy. It makes them feel good about themselves and increases blood flow to all areas of the body.

On the other hand a lack of oxygen can create fatigue, memory loss, confusion, problems concentrating, etc.(Does that sound like the average teen, or what?)

So, overall the statistics show that kids need to get exercise in school. This is a vital program in school curriculum and every school needs to put the necessary focus and funds in this department, and not skip it or think of it as just an extra curricular course.

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