What does a physical education teacher do?

Could someone explain the responsibilities of a physical education teacher in a school setting? I'm considering this career path and would love to know about the teaching environment, challenges, and rewards. Are there specific qualifications required to become a PE teacher?

A physical education (PE) teacher has a multi-faceted role within a school setting and is responsible for promoting physical activities and teaching students the importance of maintaining good health. This often involves creating lesson plans around various sports and fitness activities, leading those activities in class, and discussing dietary habits and health-related topics.

PE teachers coach students on the safe operation of fitness equipment, track student progress, and take necessary precautions during physical activity to avoid injuries. Engaging students who may not have an inherent interest in physical fitness can be a challenge, but finding creative ways to make physical education fun and rewarding can often encourage student participation.

Another aspect includes organizing school sports events, coaching school sports teams, and managing sports facilities and equipment. This can certainly mean extra hours outside of typical school hours, but these activities can be rewarding, particularly when you see your team perform well or when students develop a newfound love for a particular sport.

As for qualifications, the requirements usually involve earning a bachelor's degree in physical education, kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field. This is typically followed by teacher certification, which involves completing a teacher education program and passing related exams like the Praxis II Physical Education exam. Some schools may also require you to have first aid and CPR certification due to the hands-on nature of the role.

To further your career development, you might consider pursuing a master's degree in physical education or an educational leadership field, especially if you're interested in progressing toward administrative roles in the future, such as athletic director positions.