Teaching K-12:Physical Education,

Adapted Physical Education

We’ve all had a We’ve all had a teacher, teacher,

it can’t be that hard!it can’t be that hard!Seeing things from the Seeing things from the

other side of theother side of the

A Teacher’s LifeA Teacher’s Life• The perilsThe perils

– Politics of schoolPolitics of school– Politics of state & Politics of state &

countrycountry• No Child Left Behind No Child Left Behind

(federal legislation)(federal legislation)– Those kids you can’t Those kids you can’t

reachreach– AdministrationAdministration– Your colleaguesYour colleagues– The hours to do it rightThe hours to do it right– The extrasThe extras

A Teacher’s LifeA Teacher’s Life• The joysThe joys

– The kids – the ones you reachThe kids – the ones you reach– Their development & successesTheir development & successes– Your development & successesYour development & successes– Your colleaguesYour colleagues

• It really only takes reaching one It really only takes reaching one kid to make it all worthwhilekid to make it all worthwhile

A Teacher’s LifeA Teacher’s Life• Depends on grade levelDepends on grade level

– Elementary PE – 30 min. classes back to Elementary PE – 30 min. classes back to backback

– MS / HS PE – longer but fewer classesMS / HS PE – longer but fewer classes•Given that most classes are inclusiveGiven that most classes are inclusive

• Depends on rolesDepends on roles– Teacher / Coach Role ConflictTeacher / Coach Role Conflict– % of salary to teach % of salary to teach – % of salary to coach% of salary to coach

Other ResponsibilitiesOther Responsibilities• CoachingCoaching• Athletic Director or Asst. ADAthletic Director or Asst. AD• Departmental budgetDepartmental budget• PurchasingPurchasing• Fund raisingFund raising• Club sponsorClub sponsor• Intramural programIntramural program• After school programAfter school program

How do I Become a How do I Become a Teacher?Teacher?

• Pass courses –must have a minimum of Pass courses –must have a minimum of 2.75 to get into the program2.75 to get into the program

• Extensive work (lots of Extensive work (lots of documented documented hours) with children & youthhours) with children & youth

• Pass examsPass exams– CBestCBest– Praxis I and IIPraxis I and II

• Successfully complete student teachingSuccessfully complete student teaching• TSPC – Oregon Teacher Standards & TSPC – Oregon Teacher Standards &

Practices CommissionPractices Commission

How much will this cost How much will this cost me?me?

• According to WOU According to WOU financial aid…..financial aid…..– $13,617.00 / year or…..$13,617.00 / year or…..– $56,000.00 over 4 years$56,000.00 over 4 years– Plus education exam fees Plus education exam fees

•$80 - $120 / test$80 - $120 / test

How do I get a Job?How do I get a Job?• Must have certificateMust have certificate

– Must have at least a BSMust have at least a BS• Both Health & Physical Education @ WOUBoth Health & Physical Education @ WOU

– APE – to be a true APE teacher, you really need a MS (Oregon State)APE – to be a true APE teacher, you really need a MS (Oregon State)• Find a job you wantFind a job you want

– Searching – do a google search for teaching jobsSearching – do a google search for teaching jobs• http://www.ode.state.or.us/http://www.ode.state.or.us/ • http://www.teachoregon.com/http://www.teachoregon.com/ • http://www.teacherjobs.com/http://www.teacherjobs.com/

• Go through the application processGo through the application process– Cover letter Cover letter – Resume Resume – PortfolioPortfolio

How much will I earn?How much will I earn?• Salaries commensurate with Salaries commensurate with

level of education & level of education & experienceexperience

• OregonOregon– $26,800 – $40,600$26,800 – $40,600

• Arizona (Phoenix)Arizona (Phoenix)– $37,800 - $62,700$37,800 - $62,700

• ConnecticutConnecticut– Start at $45,000+Start at $45,000+

Can I teach in another Can I teach in another state?state?

• Many states have “reciprocity”Many states have “reciprocity”– Because they require similar testing Because they require similar testing

proceduresprocedures• Those that don’t Those that don’t

– Can teach for 2-3 years until you pass their Can teach for 2-3 years until you pass their state required examsstate required exams

Physical Education WebsitesPhysical Education Websites• www.aahperd.orgwww.aahperd.org• www.pecentral.comwww.pecentral.com• www.pelinks4uwww.pelinks4u• www.sports-media.orgwww.sports-media.org

Current ResearchCurrent Research• Factors affecting the social experiences of Factors affecting the social experiences of

students in elementary physical education students in elementary physical education classes classes by Suomi, Collier & Brown, 2003; JTPEby Suomi, Collier & Brown, 2003; JTPE– Findings: Findings:

•Teaching environment complex & dynamicTeaching environment complex & dynamic•Interactions between teacher, students, Interactions between teacher, students,

environment & tasksenvironment & tasks•No guarantee of positive experiences & No guarantee of positive experiences &

outcomesoutcomes– Especially for students with disabilities & Especially for students with disabilities &

students who strugglestudents who struggle

Current ResearchCurrent Research• Suomi, Collier & Brown, 2003 contSuomi, Collier & Brown, 2003 cont

– What does this mean for teachersWhat does this mean for teachers::•Teachers must be more understanding, Teachers must be more understanding,

accepting and respectful of accepting and respectful of allall kids kids•Teachers must help kids be more Teachers must help kids be more

understanding, accepting and understanding, accepting and respectful of respectful of allall others others

•Teachers must pay attention to all Teachers must pay attention to all interactions and help kids take both interactions and help kids take both personal and social responsibilitypersonal and social responsibility

Current ResearchCurrent Research• Effects of types of walking activities Effects of types of walking activities

on actual choices by adolescent on actual choices by adolescent female physical education studentsfemale physical education students – Prusak & Darst, 2002; JTPEPrusak & Darst, 2002; JTPE– Findings:Findings:

•Adolescent females prefer activities that are Adolescent females prefer activities that are more social and game-like in nature, but will more social and game-like in nature, but will chose more competitive activities over chose more competitive activities over exercise / fitness activitiesexercise / fitness activities

Current ResearchCurrent Research

•Prusak & Darst, 2002 continuedPrusak & Darst, 2002 continued– What does this mean for teachersWhat does this mean for teachers::

•Teachers need to move past an Teachers need to move past an authoritative, traditional model to a authoritative, traditional model to a model that in more in line with the model that in more in line with the lifetime physical activity modellifetime physical activity model

•Create new activities that promotes Create new activities that promotes social interactionsocial interaction

In the NewsIn the News• Obesity turning into Obesity turning into

major threat for nation’s major threat for nation’s kids (Seattle Times, Feb. kids (Seattle Times, Feb. 4, 2004)4, 2004)

• Measure 30 fails (any Measure 30 fails (any paper in Oregon)paper in Oregon)

Why become a Teacher?Why become a Teacher?

Why not!Why not!If you care about

kids, their health & their future