A combination of education and experience is required to become a physical education teacher. A physical education teacher is a fully qualified educator with a focus on health, fitness, and sports. These educators work at all levels of education, from elementary to secondary.
All teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education. A bachelor’s degree in athletics, kinesiology, health, physical education, or dance is required for physical education teachers. This background gives you the ability to teach classes, coach sports, and lead exercises.
In addition to this degree, anyone interested in teaching physical education must have a bachelor’s degree in education. During their education degree, prospective teachers must choose a specialty and level of education to teach. Teachers in elementary schools take courses on child development, age-appropriate fitness, and health concerns. High school teachers concentrate on classroom management, course curriculum, and postsecondary education preparation techniques.
Most states require high school teachers to become qualified to teach at least two subject streams, though the rules vary. Physical education is often combined with a humanities subject, such as geography or English, many high school teachers. Working in both the classroom and the gym allows the teacher to reach out to a larger number of students and encourage them to participate in sports and physical activity.
Leadership, communication, and physical activity are all important aspects of becoming a physical education teacher. Joining sports activities that interest you and competing at the highest level possible is the best way to gain the necessary experience. Soccer leagues, swimming teams, and competitive baseball are all possibilities. All of these sports provide opportunities to develop leadership skills, improve fitness, and compete.
Look for part-time jobs as a camp counselor, sport instructor, coach, or tutor to gain leadership experience and add to your resume. Volunteer as a tutor for elementary and high school students as an alternative. This experience will assist you in deciding which age group you want to focus on.
Teachers of physical education are expected to instruct and lead students in a variety of sports and athletic activities. Develop a broad understanding of sports so you can organize and coach them. Coaching skills are essentially leadership skills combined with a thorough understanding of the game’s rules and strategies. Learn about the most popular activities and how they are played in your area.
Becoming a certified fitness instructor is a popular trend among physical education teachers. This certification gives you a good idea of what it takes to run a fitness class. Offering fitness classes and aerobics in the school increases opportunities for physical fitness while requiring little additional equipment. These classes are popular among students who do not want to participate in team sports.