The Characteristics of an Effective Teacher in Physical Education

Teaching physical education is a demanding job that requires a firm understanding of both children's education and physical fitness practices. Effective teachers inspire students and help them to reach their maximum fitness potential. If you are looking to improve your teaching skills in a physical education environment, then a few specific traits are considered paramount for the most effective educators.

Health Knowledge

There is no question that the most effective physical education teachers possess a strong knowledge of physical health, nutrition and exercise. Teachers that can drawn upon a broad base of knowledge in these areas are able to draft effective lesson plans that target certain areas of activity and can more readily address individual health problems that may arise in their classroom.

Developmental Basics

Effective teachers in any subject must understand how children develop and what each age group of kids needs most in order to learn and grow. Good physical education teachers will not only have a strong background in fitness and health, but also a long list of academic credits that indicate they understand the basics of children's education and the psychology of children. The way in which a teacher interacts with students is the most important aspect of teaching.

Fitness

Children use adults as role models. Children are also adept at sensing hypocrisy or things that do not quite make sense. For this reason, effective physical education teachers should work to ensure they are setting a positive example for their students. This means maintaining good physical fitness, staying in shape and trying not to be caught eating junk food when students are around. If you present yourself as a model of health, then children can follow your lead.

Strategy

Creating and executing a strong physical education curriculum is critical in becoming an effective teacher. Every activity should serve a greater developmental purpose and should fit within a larger framework of goals. Marathon runners do not start training by running a marathon, and students cannot be introduced to fitness by being given unattainable goals. Effective teachers set realistic classroom goals and develop practical lessons and plans to reach those goals.

References

• Australian Association for Research in Education: What Is Effective Physical Education Teaching and Can It Be Promoted with Generalist Trained Elementary School Teachers?
• UniCommons.com: Learning How to Become an Effective Physical Education Teacher (Podcast)
• "National Forum of Teacher Education Journal": Effective Teacher Study