5 Things You May not Know About Physical Education Teaching

Taylor Larson

McKay Student Ambassador

Physical Education Teaching/Coaching

I’ve played sports for as long as I can remember, pretty much since I could walk. Naturally, PE was always one of my favorite classes in school. However, one thing I noticed throughout my experiences in sports and PE was how often running and exercise were used as punishments. When kids grow up associating exercise with punishment, it can be hard for them to see physical activity as something enjoyable. Instead, it becomes something they dread and feel like they are being forced to do. Physical educators have a unique opportunity to shape how young people view physical activity and healthy lifestyles. For some students, PE might be their first experience with organized physical activity, and that experience can influence how they feel about exercise for years to come. My goal is to create an environment where students of all skill levels feel comfortable, included, and excited to participate.

Being a physical educator is about so much more than rolling out a few balls, putting on a whistle, and telling students to run laps (although the whistle definitely makes you feel pretty official). There is a lot more planning and purpose behind teaching PE than people might realize. So, whether you loved PE growing up, dreaded it, or are still recovering from the mile run, here are five things you might not know about teaching physical education!

#1. Physical Education Builds Physical Literacy

Physical education helps students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to stay active throughout their lives. SHAPE America, an organization that one of our BYU PETE professors, Dr. Pennington, helped establish, provides some great resources about physical education. These include learning different movement skills, understanding fitness, and recognizing the benefits of physical activity. PE also teaches students how to set goals, improve their abilities, and find activities they actually enjoy. All of these skills help students build a foundation for a healthy lifestyle that they can carry with them long after they leave school.

#2. Teachers in the Background

Being a PE teacher involves a lot more than just showing up and playing games. Teachers spend time planning lessons, organizing equipment, grading assignments, and teaching students important skills like coordination, sportsmanship, teamwork, and problem-solving. They also teach about nutrition and physical health while making sure activities are fun, safe, and appropriate for each student's abilities (this is where Grade Span Indicators come into play). This means teaching proper techniques, explaining rules, and adapting activities when needed so each individual student has an opportunity to participate and improve. There is a lot of thought that goes into each class! One of the best parts of teaching PE is getting to watch students improve, learn something new, and see the smiles on their faces as they grow. And of course, as fun as dodgeball is, keeping everyone safe is important because nobody wants the gym to turn into an episode of Survivor.

#3. An Active Career with Additional Opportunities

One of the best parts about teaching PE is that you get to stay active throughout the day. You are constantly moving, demonstrating activities, participating with students, and finding fun ways to get everyone involved. Your workday naturally includes physical activity, making it easier to stay healthy while doing something you enjoy. Another bonus is that your PE degree gives you skills that can open doors to other opportunities outside of school. You could work as a personal trainer or exercise instructor at a local gym or recreation center. This could be a fun part-time job after school to make some extra money while doing something you love. It's a pretty great way to turn your degree into more opportunities to teach!

#4: Teaching PE Can Be a Rewarding Career

Like any teaching career, PE has its challenges, but it also comes with some great benefits! For example, in Provo City School District, starting teacher salaries depend on education and experience, with a published starting salary of $57,226 for teachers with a bachelor's degree. Teachers can also receive benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave, and retirement benefits. Plus, you get school breaks and summers off to spend time with friends and family! Your salary is spread out over 12 months, so you can still receive paychecks during the summer. While teaching might not make you a millionaire overnight, getting paid to help students develop healthy habits and find a love for movement is a pretty great perk.

For this example, you can see the district's official salary schedule and benefits overview for more details.

#5. PE Teaches Skills That Go Beyond Physical Fitness

Physical education helps students develop skills they can use throughout their lives, including teamwork, communication, confidence, and perseverance. Through games and activities, students learn how to work with others, handle challenges, respect differences, and respond to both success and failure.

PE is also beneficial for the brain, not just the body! Being physically active increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve focus, memory, and attention. These benefits can carry over into other classes and help students do better academically. Movement also gives students a much-needed break from sitting through lessons all day. A quick activity or movement break can help students reset, relieve stress, and return to the classroom feeling more focused and ready to learn. Some people may worry that PE takes away from valuable classroom time, but I would argue that it is actually an investment in learning.

After all, the goal of PE isn't to create a classroom full of professional athletes. It's to help students become healthier, more confident individuals who develop skills that will benefit them both in and out of school. Who knows, running around during PE might even help with that math test later in the day!

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