Teaching Philosophy
Physical
education plays a vital role in students' development—promoting physical
health, enhancing mental well-being, and supporting academic achievement.
Beyond running laps or learning how to play a sport, physical education teaches
perseverance, self-discipline, teamwork, and resilience—skills that students
carry with them throughout life.
My
passion for teaching physical education is rooted in my personal experiences.
Growing up, I was deeply inspired by my sister's involvement in cross-country
and track and field, and by my father, who played soccer and practiced boxing.
These early influences sparked my love for physical activity. More importantly,
my own physical education teachers had a profound impact on me. They not only
taught me how to stay active, but they also modeled values like consistency,
cooperation, and motivation—even when faced with challenges like my hearing
impairment. Some doubted my ability to fully engage or understand, but those
who believed in me made all the difference. Their support inspired me to become
the kind of educator who encourages every student, regardless of ability, to
thrive.
As
a future physical education coach, I aim to create a welcoming and inclusive
environment that motivates students to engage in healthy lifestyles. I want
students to know that even if they’re new to a sport or don’t perform well at
first, they can grow with support and practice. I believe in teaching through
encouragement and clear step-by-step guidance. I frequently ask students
questions to ensure understanding and adjust my instruction to meet their
needs.
I
intentionally plan lessons that are adaptable to all skill levels, aligning
with the Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills (TEKS) for physical education. For example, TEKS 116.5(b)(1)
emphasizes the importance of students participating in moderate to vigorous
physical activity daily, while TEKS 116.5(b)(4) and (6) focus on skill
development and cooperative teamwork. When teaching basketball, I might modify
the hoop height for beginners or offer differentiated ways to participate in
passing drills so every student can feel included and successful.
Research
shows that positive emotional experiences in physical education are strongly
linked to lifelong participation in physical activity (Hastie et al., 2011). As
a teacher, I want my students to build positive memories—not ones rooted in
comparison or criticism. Remarks like “You’re too slow” or “I’m better than
you” can destroy confidence and discourage students from future participation.
Instead, I foster kindness, encouragement, and peer support so students feel
safe to try, fail, improve, and succeed.
Teaching,
to me, is more than a profession—it is a way to inspire students through
movement. As the great educator Rita Pierson once said, “Every child
deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them” (TED, 2013).
That is the teacher and coach I aspire to be.
References
Hastie, P. A., Rudisill, M. E.,
& Wadsworth, D. D. (2011). Providing students with voice and
choice:
Lessons from a physical education teacher education study. Journal of Physical
Education,
Recreation & Dance, 82(3), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/0730
3084.2011.10598584
Pierson, R. (2013). Every kid
needs a champion [Video]. TED Talks.
https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion
Yeats, W. B. (n.d.). Education is
not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. (Often
attributed).
Quoted in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.
