Strengths and Goals for Physical Health Education:
As a future physical health educator, I bring a strong sense of passion and dedication to my work. With over 15 years of experience in recreation and teaching students from ages 3 to 18, I feel I have a solid foundation to build upon.
I believe that listening is a key part of teaching. I take the time to understand my students’ individual needs and backgrounds, which allows me to tailor my approach and build stronger connections with them. I also understand that the process of learning is just as important as the final outcome, so I encourage my students to focus on their growth and effort rather than just the end result. I’m deeply committed to creating an environment where every student feels supported, motivated, and encouraged to do their best, no matter where they’re starting from.
Ensuring inclusive and accessible education is at the heart of what I do. My experience as a support and inclusion instructor has given me valuable skills in working with students of all abilities, and I’m passionate about making sure every student has an equal opportunity to succeed. Outside of the classroom, I’m an active volunteer in both the arts and the running community, which keeps me connected to the broader community and reinforces my belief in the importance of physical activity and personal well-being for life.
Looking forward, I have a few goals in mind. First, I want to work on building a curriculum that encourages lifelong physical activity and healthy living and staying away from a sport-centric approach. I also aim to create a classroom culture that emphasizes teamwork, personal responsibility, and the joy of movement to get my students excited to take an active role in their wellbeing. Additionally, I hope to continue growing as an educator by immersing myself in sports outside my comfort zone, staying up-to-date with the latest trends in physical health education, and integrating UDL into my teaching practices.
Overall, I’m excited to continue growing as an educator, and I’m committed to helping my students not only improve their physical health but also develop a positive mindset toward learning and personal development.
Areas of Growth:
As I look at my growth as a physical health educator, there are definitely a few areas I’m excited to work on. First, I know I need to gain more experience with a wider variety of sports. I primarily focus on dance, soccer, track, and softball but I feel gaining more experience playing different sports will help me offer my students a more full and engaging PHE experience. It’ll also ensure I can connect with students who may have different interests or strengths outside my specialties.
Another similar goal is to focus on adapting drills and activities for all levels and abilities in the sports I am less familiar with. I want to make sure everyone feels included and challenged in a way that suits their own skills. By offering activities that can be modified, I’ll be able to make physical education accessible to all my students, no matter where they’re at.
I’d also love to step outside my comfort zone more when it comes to trying new teaching strategies and activities. It’s easy to stick with what feels safe, and what I have done for years, but I know growth comes from pushing myself to try new things, even if they’re a bit intimidating. I want to become more confident in experimenting with different approaches to keep things fresh and exciting for my students for example using a wider variety of teaching styles (inclusion, reciprocal, self-check etc.)
I also want to dive deeper into well-being topics beyond just physical activity. Things like mental health, nutrition, and overall wellness are incredibly important, and I want to make sure I’m bringing that into my teaching to create a comprehensive health course. Being more well-rounded in these areas will help me give my students a more complete picture of health and how to take care of themselves in all aspects of life.
Additionally, I aim to work on finding a balance between pushing students to do their best and not pushing them too hard. I want my students to feel driven, but also to feel like they’re working at a pace that’s right for them. It’s about encouraging growth without overwhelming them, and I think it’s a skill I will need to keep refining.
Overall, while I feel I have a lot to learn, I know each step will make me a better teacher and help me provide an even more positive and inclusive experience for my students.