How to Be Physical Education Educator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Physical education educators play an important role in helping children develop healthy habits and physical fitness. By teaching the fundamentals of physical activity, they can help to instill a lifelong appreciation for physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices. These educators are instrumental in helping students develop the skills needed to stay active and safe.

As a result, physical education educators can have a significant impact on the physical health of children by helping them understand the importance of physical activity and its effects on their physical and mental well-being. Physical education educators can also help reduce the risk of long-term health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease by encouraging students to stay physically active. Through their efforts, they can help students develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Steps How to Become

  1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a physical education educator is to earn a bachelor's degree in physical education, exercise science, or a related field. Many schools offer degree programs in physical education that include courses in anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology, and sports psychology.
  2. Complete Teacher Preparation Program. After earning a bachelor's degree, you must complete a teacher preparation program in order to become certified to teach physical education. Most states require that teachers complete an approved teacher preparation program in order to become certified.
  3. Obtain Certification. Once you have completed a teacher preparation program, you must apply for and receive certification from your state's department of education. Requirements for certification vary by state, but typically include passing a background check, completing a certain number of hours of professional development, and passing a test of knowledge and skills specific to physical education.
  4. Pursue Continuing Education. To maintain your certification, you will need to participate in continuing education activities. Most states require that physical education teachers complete at least 30 hours of professional development over the course of a three-year period in order to maintain their certification.
  5. Consider Advanced Degrees. While not required, some physical education educators choose to pursue advanced degrees in order to advance their career. Master's and doctoral degrees in physical education are available at many colleges and universities, and can lead to higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement.

Staying ahead and capable in physical education requires dedication, effort, and knowledge. It is important to stay up to date with new trends, techniques, and approaches to teaching physical education, as well as continuing to expand one’s own knowledge base. To do so, one must stay informed of new developments in the field by reading literature, attending seminars and conferences, and joining professional organizations.

it is important to practice what you preach by staying physically active and developing a strong personal fitness program. Not only will this enhance one’s ability to teach physical education effectively, it will also serve as a good example for students. Lastly, it is important to develop strong relationships with students and colleagues, as this will ensure that everyone is working together to create an effective and successful learning environment.

You may want to check Vocational Educator, Science Educator, and Library Media Specialist Educator for alternative.

Job Description

  1. Develop and implement physical education programs that meet the needs of students.
  2. Provide instruction in physical activities that promote physical fitness, motor development, and team play.
  3. Evaluate student progress and provide feedback to motivate students to reach personal goals.
  4. Incorporate technology into physical education lessons to enhance student learning.
  5. Manage student behavior in a positive and professional manner.
  6. Cultivate positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
  7. Support the school's mission, policies, and procedures.
  8. Develop lesson plans that are aligned with Common Core Standards.
  9. Monitor student safety at all times.
  10. Attend professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in physical education.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics
  2. Knowledge of physical education principles, concepts and theories
  3. Ability to plan, develop, and implement physical education programs
  4. Ability to teach physical education concepts and skills
  5. Knowledge of safety, nutrition and injury prevention
  6. Understanding of different learning styles and abilities
  7. Ability to motivate, engage and foster positive behavior in students
  8. Ability to assess and evaluate student progress
  9. Understanding of current trends in physical education
  10. Ability to use technology in physical education instruction

Physical education educators must possess a wide range of skills in order to be successful. One of the most important skills needed is the ability to motivate students and help them develop a positive attitude towards physical activity. This involves being able to recognize individual student needs, creating engaging lesson plans, and providing positive reinforcement.

In addition, physical education educators must be able to assess student performance and provide feedback to help them improve. They must also have strong organizational skills and be knowledgeable about the different types of physical activities and equipment. Furthermore, physical education educators must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively interact with students, parents, school staff, and other professionals.

Finally, physical education educators must be passionate about their work and dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. By possessing these skills, physical education educators can ensure that their students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy, active lives.

Outdoor Education Educator, Foreign Language Educator, and Early Childhood Educator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

  • What inspired you to pursue a career as a Physical Education Educator?
  • How do you ensure that your students are engaged and motivated in physical education classes?
  • What strategies do you use to create a positive learning environment for your students?
  • How do you assess student progress and success in physical education classes?
  • What strategies do you employ to help students with special needs participate in physical education classes?
  • How do you incorporate physical activity into other educational subjects?
  • How do you help students develop healthy life habits through physical education?
  • What challenges have you faced in creating activities for students with different learning styles?
  • What initiatives have you taken to promote physical fitness outside of the classroom?
  • What techniques have you used to motivate students who are not physically active?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Physical Education Curriculum Guide. This guide provides teachers with an overview of physical education concepts, objectives, activities and assessments. (e. g. Physical Education Curriculum Guide by National Association for Sport and Physical Education)
  2. Online Learning Resources. This resource provides teachers with access to online resources such as videos, games, quizzes and activities to supplement physical education instruction. (e. g. Dance Mat Typing from BBC)
  3. Fitness Trackers. These devices help teachers monitor and track student performance in physical activities such as running, jumping, and other aerobic activities. (e. g. Fitbit Charge 3)
  4. Sport Equipment. This equipment is used to support physical education instruction in activities such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and others. (e. g. Wilson AVP Official Beach Volleyball)
  5. Digital Content Platforms. These platforms provide teachers with a range of digital content such as videos, activities, and assessments to use in their physical education instruction. (e. g. Active Classroom by Active Network)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
  2. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
  3. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
  4. National Association of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education (NAKPEHE)
  5. Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America)
  6. American Association of Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR)
  7. Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
  8. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
  9. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  10. International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER-SD)

We also have Reading Educator, Gifted Education Educator, and English Educator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

  1. Physical Education (PE). A class offered in school or college that focuses on teaching physical activity and sports skills.
  2. Movement Education. A form of physical education that focuses on developing motor skills and physical literacy through physical activities.
  3. Health Education. A class offered in school or college that focuses on teaching health and wellness concepts.
  4. Exercise Science. The scientific study of the body's response to exercise, physical activity, and nutrition.
  5. Sports Psychology. The study of the psychological factors that influence performance in sport and exercise.
  6. Coaching. The process of guiding an individual or team towards achieving certain goals in physical activity or sport.
  7. Kinesiology. The study of the mechanics of human movement and its effects on the body.
  8. Physical Fitness. The ability to perform physical activity with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness.
  9. Nutrition. The science of food and its components, and how they interact to promote health and wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What qualifications are needed to become a Physical Education Educator? A:To become a Physical Education Educator, you need to have a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Health Education, Exercise Science, or a related field. Depending on the state, you may also need a teaching license or certification.

What duties do Physical Education Educators perform?

Physical Education Educators typically design and implement physical education curricula and activities for K-12 students. They also teach proper use of equipment, monitor student progress, and assess student performance.

Q:How much does a Physical Education Educator typically earn? A:The median annual salary for Physical Education Educators is $50,000. Salaries can vary depending on the location and experience. Q:What skills are necessary for success in this role? A:Successful Physical Education Educators must have strong communication and teaching skills. They must also be able to motivate students, create innovative lesson plans, and maintain safe learning environments. Q:What organizations are available to support Physical Education Educators? A:Physical Education Educators can join professional organizations such as the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR), and the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). These organizations offer resources, networking opportunities, and professional development programs.

Web Resources

  • What is Physical Education? | Punjab Colleges pgc.edu
  • Physical Education Degree – BS in Physical Education | GCU www.gcu.edu
  • Physical Education | University of South Carolina www.sc.edu
Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Albert
Submitted by our contributor
Educator Category