Jessica Lam

Teaching Philosophy

The purpose of physical education to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes,

motor skills, behavioral skills, and confidence they need to live physically active and healthy

lifestyle (Ciccomascolo & Sullivan). As a physical educator, it is my duty to provide my students

with the knowledge of the different concepts covered in P.E. Unlike some content areas, physical

education teaches students lifelong skills and knowledge that can benefit them for the rest of

their lives. Recent research tells us that physical activity is what makes the brain function at its

best (Ratey & Hagerman). Along with teaching students critical life skills, it also helps them

perform better in other classes. P.E. is extremely underestimated; people assume that it is not

beneficial. However, I want to show people how valuable physical education can be to students

bodies and minds. Physical education is more than just fitness testing and let students free-lance

just to exert energy. Elementary P.E. focuses on developing skills and movement concepts, and

later applying those to small-sided games. P.E. introduces students to different activities that they

may have never had a chance to experience.

Ever since I was a little girl, all I wanted to do as a career is teach physical education

because that is all I have ever been passionate about. Throughout my life I have always been

involved in sports. Looking back now, I realize that sports taught me a lot more than just rules of

the game. Sports taught me cooperation, teamwork, communication, leadership, sharing,

accountability, and how cope with failures. As a future physical educator, I hope my students

learn similar life lessons throughout my P.E. class. I want to motivate kids to be physically

active, and live a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy and exercising is extremely important,
especially nowadays with the majority of the population being obese. I believe that teaching

elementary is special because at that age students brains are like sponges. Elementary students

are always eager to learn new skills and information. Being around younger generations really

inspired to be a good role model for them and do my best to motivate them to better their lives.

Being an effective teacher means to be caring, motivational, empathetic, ecological, and

so much more (Ciccomascolo & Sullivan). As a future physical educator, I intend to create a

positive learning environment for all my students. I will provide this by setting up rules and

protocols for students to follow, as well as getting to know each student individually. Teaching

this subject can sometimes be very challenging, but I believe having rules and protocols in place

will help things run more smoothly. Knowing how to think on your feet and having a back-up

plan is crucial as well. Students should be active at least 60 minutes a day, and as a PE teacher it

is my job to make them want to be active. I will do this by offering a variety of units throughtout

the course of the year, so students can experiment with different sports and skills they may find

enjoyable. 65% of adults are obese, in order to decrease that amount we need to teach kids how

to prepare for changes in the lives but still be active (National Association for Sport and Physical

Education). If I can get students involved in a life-long physical activity, they are more likely to

participate and be active when they are older. In addition, I believe one of the best ways to

decrease the obesity problem is by showing kids at a young age what benefits being physically

active has, and also the consequences and what it does to your body. Setting goals for kids and

helping them make personal goals is a great way to get kids to live a physically active lifestyle.

Elementary school is all about building foundations. If I present information to students about

living a healthy lifestyle and provide them with skills to be physically active, these individuals

will lead a healthier life as they age.

 As a prospective teacher, I want my students to see my physical education class as

somewhere they come to learn a lot and have fun doing it. My class will never be just for the

athletes or the in shape children. I want to do a range of activities with my classes because kids

learn best when they enjoy what they are doing. For example, I will teach sports skill such as

dribbling, throwing, and passing, but I also will include gymnastics, rhythms, and dance, and

many important movement concepts. Elementary P.E. teaches students basic skills that they will

build on as they grow up and get older. I strive to improve my students social skills, basic motor

and sports skills. After taking my class, students will know how to, and why they should live a

healthy lifestyle.
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References

Ciccomascolo, L. E., Sullivan, E. C. Dimensions of Physical Education. Jones & Bartlett

Learning.

Ratey, J. J., Hagerman, E. Spark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise And The

Brain. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

National Association for Sport and Physical Education, A. H. A. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/upload/2012-Shape-of-Nation-full-report-web.pdf