Teaching Philosophy

The purpose of physical education is to provide an opportunity for students to participate in a variety of physical activities that develop the physical and mental skills needed to be successful in team and individual sports. The activities that are learned will contribute to lifetime fitness. I believe teaching is a powerful tool that can affect a child's life in so many ways. Having a student apply what I teach while being successful is what I love most about teaching. My high school teacher Jennifer Frankel inspired me to be an educator. Ms. Frankel opened my eyes to the world of education where creativity can be expressed. Ms. Frankel had her unique style of teaching, which was creating a community within the classroom. It formed a bond within the classroom that was unexplainable; each person felt involved and important. I strive to make my class a community within the gym, and we grow into physically literate individuals, which will make us successful as a whole.

Each time my students walk into the gym I want them to be receptive to new ideas. A quote that will be hung up in my classroom will be, “The mind is like a parachute: it works much better when it’s open.” I will always try new ideas to keep my students interested and motivated. Each teaching lesson will have the three domains present: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. Students will learn to build knowledge, grow emotionally and obtain physical skills. The activities that my students participate in will be inclusive. I will not have my students feel that they are not able to do a skill or task. Students will be able to work on their level of difficulty. My goal is to have every student in the class physically educated at the end of the year. I am preparing my students to convert skills and themes learned in physical education class to create lifelong movers.

I believe that teachers should not favor one teaching style or method. Depending on the lesson I will change my teaching style to keep my students open-minded. The best way to find out the learning abilities of the students is to have them apply it using different teaching styles. For example; command, practice, discovery, jigsaw, and self-check, I will include these teaching styles into each unit.

To create a positive inclusive learning environment, I will be genuine and honest in speaking about personal commitment. I will acknowledge that others may have legitimate questions, misgivings, fears, doubts or other perspectives. I believe inviting questions, reactions, and additional feedback helps to involve my students’ backgrounds and experiences. I will always listen carefully while accepting the validity and value of my students’ perspectives.

I will make a difference in my students’ lives by building a positive teacher-learner relationship that will last a lifetime. I will make this possible by making my class a community within the gym. I will not just be a teacher. I will also be a mentor to the students. Every human being needs physical education to improve his or her overall health. Furthermore, I will make it my duty that every student who walks into my school will leave at the end of the year physically educated. Grades will not determine my success as a teacher; the number of students who are educated will. I will know all of my students are physically educated by creating a diverse, well-organized, crafted curriculum.