Physical Education Teacher
Physical Education Teacher Overview
Physical education teachers instruct students in health and physical education classes at both public and private schools. Also known as P.E. teachers, these teachers are responsible for working with students to instill healthy habits in regards to physical activity. They coach students in sports including swimming, basketball, running, football, and soccer, and often serve as coaches for student athletic teams.
P.E. teachers often share general responsibilities with other teachers. These tasks include lunch and after-school supervision of students as well as faculty and parent-teacher conferences throughout the school year. Many P.E. teachers must also coordinate a year-end event such as a physical education show or field day.
Many P.E. teachers work at more than one school. They teach several classes per day and often must work with very few breaks for lesson planning.
Physical Education Teacher Training & Education
Most P.E. teachers have an undergraduate degree in health and physical education. Colleges and universities that offer specific programs for those wanting to work as P.E. teachers include Canisius College, Florida State University, University of Houston, University of South Florida, Eastern Oregon University, and Montana State University.
While earning their undergraduate degrees, students who wish to be P.E. teachers may take classes in kinesiology, health and wellness, and exercise physiology in addition to activity courses such as basketball, golf, aerobics, racquetball, swimming, and other sports. Students also learn teaching methods for physical education and health classes, and often are required to participate in internships.
P.E. teachers should also have a personal interest in physical fitness and well-being, and it is helpful to have specific knowledge of at least one team or individual sport. An enjoyment of teaching, as well as being around children and adolescents, is necessary as well. As with any other teaching position, an aptitude for multitasking and the ability to fairly discipline students as needed is extremely helpful.
Physical Education Teacher Career & Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) projects employment growth for teachers to be about as fast as the average through May 2016, with employment increasing 12 percent between 2006 and 2016. This means a projected increase from 3,954,000 teachers in 2006 to 4,433,000 teachers in 2016.
Job prospects are predicted to be most favorable in less desirable urban or rural school districts, as well as in fast-growing states in the South and West. Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and Texas are expected to lead the country in terms of school enrollment increases. Enrollments in the Midwest are projected to stay steady, while those in the Northeast will likely decline. Though physical education is considered to have an adequate number of teachers, there will always be a demand, particularly in the faster-growing schools listed above.
In May 2006, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers had median annual earnings ranging from $43,580 to $48,690, with the lowest 10 percent earning $28,590 to $33,070. The top 10 percent earned $67,490 to $76,100.
Teachers who work with students in extracurricular activities, which include coaching sports teams or lead a study hall, can receive a boost in pay, as does working as a mentor. P.E. teachers who earn advanced degrees in their field can often expect a concurrent pay raise.
Article Resources:
P.E. CentralThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
