Physical Education

Position
Physical Education is "education through the physical". It aims to develop students’
physical competence and knowledge of movement and safety, and their ability to use
these to perform in a wide range of activities associated with the development of an
active and healthy lifestyle. It also develops students’ confidence and generic skills,
especially those of collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and
aesthetic appreciation. These, together with the nurturing of positive values and
attitudes in PE, provide a good foundation for students’ lifelong and life-wide learning.

Direction
Curriculum development is an on-going improvement process. In the PE KLA, we
would
build on strengths to inspire curriculum changes in the light of the new educational
trend;
cultivate in students generic skills, positive values and attitudes, in addition to
physical competence, for lifelong and life-wide learning; and
encourage schools to make flexible use of time, space, resources and facilities
available to enrich their school-based curriculum.

What Is Physical Education?

Physical education is the teaching and leading of physical activity in a school gymnasium or other
school setting. Its goal is to improve and maintain students' current health and set them on a path to
maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives. This article will tell you more about what physical
education is and how to pursue a career teaching it. Schools offering Exercise Science degrees can also be
found in these popularchoices.

Physical Education Overview

Physical education, also known as gym class, is a class taught in kindergarten through 12th grade that
involves student participation in physical activity. The goal of physical education classes is to introduce
students to the basic elements of exercise that will lead to a healthy lifestyle. Students can get exercise
and increase their psychomotor abilities by playing a variety of traditional sports such as basketball and
soccer, and by participating in exercise activities such as lifting weights and aerobics.

Physical education teachers may also use sports and physical activities to teach about the cultural and
historical aspects of sports. In some classes, especially in elementary schools, students also learn
about health and nutrition.
Important Facts About This Occupation

Median Salary
(2019) $43,197 (for physical education teachers)

Work Environment Regular school hours, typically with summers, weekends, and evenings off

Key Skills Resourcefulness, patience, and communication skills

Athletic/Assistant Coach, Health Educator, Strength/Conditioning Coach,

Similar Careers Community Health Coordinator

Source: PayScale.com

Education Required

Physical education teachers are required to have a bachelor's or master's degree in physical education,
depending on the school district. These programs can teach you the basic activities of physical
education classes and the science behind physical activity. You'll also be able to get plenty of practical
student teaching experience, which is required to earn a teaching license.

In general, master's degree programs in physical education contain more in-depth education theory and
science components than bachelor's degree programs. Classes may include accident prevention,
kinesiology and evaluation of physical fitness

Licensure/Certification

In order to work in a public school as a physical education teacher, you must be licensed. Licensure
varies by state, but typically requires you to hold at least a bachelor's degree in a field of education and
complete a specific number of hours of supervised student teaching. You must also pass a general
teaching certification test and one in your specific field of study. Teachers must also complete
continuing education to maintain their license, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).