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Message |
Lauren Saulter (Laurensaulter)
Junior Member
Username: Laurensaulter
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 1:51 pm: |       |
While talking to one of my best friends for high school she asked me if I was enjoying school. I told her of course I was having blast and learning a ton of new things in my PE majors classes. Her response to me surprised me when she said, " That's great, but I always thought that you would be something important. You are so smart." Needless to say I was very offended but understood at the same time. Even today PE as a profession is not taken very seriously. Apparently only those with a lack of intelligence, and motivation to push themselves to be anything better are the ones that become PE instructors. Not so I say. I have big plans for my future as a PE teacher and I have/am learning from some of the most intelligent people I have met. My hope is that our profession will be held in a more positive light in the near future. Not everybody rolls out the ball and says play kick ball every day. There are quality knowledge teachers among us just as important as any other profession. |
Mary C Seidler (Mary_seidler)
New member
Username: Mary_seidler
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 5:55 pm: | |
I completely agree. One night me and my roommate, who are both PE majors, had a slight argument with our other roommates about our major. They claimed that PE is not hard compared to their majors. They claimed that we did not need as much intelligence as they did for their careers. But we quickly defended PE and a had wonderful argument.
But I do wish that some day PE could be respected as much as other professions. People do not realize that if a person does not have proper health, they are not able to do ANYTHING really to their ability. So it is our job as PE teachers to teach them the base of health for their life time. Now if you ask me, I think that is a big responsibility and the PE profession is not the one that is made for people who lack intelligence or motivation. |
Jason (Jayunf21)
New member
Username: Jayunf21
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 10:24 am: | |
I completely agree with this post! Hopefully, everyone will come to appreciate our jobs as physical education teachers. At my workplace, everyone appreciates what I do and how hard I work. Before I came to my present work location, they had a physical education teacher that “threw out the balls” and would say “go play”. At times, he just let them sit in the gym and did nothing for entire class periods. I have to say it is extremely frustrating when people say “Oh you’re a PE teacher, that must be fun. You do nothing all day.” If they only knew what quality physical education teachers do and what our jobs consist of.
Another frustrating comment I always get is “why did you settle for being a PE Teacher”, like I settled for a second rate job. I absolutely love my career choice, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Before becoming a physical education teacher, I was a successful personal trainer and commonly get asked why I gave up personal training to be a physical education teacher. Even though I make a lot less money, it’s worth it because of the joy I get from my career as a physical education teacher!
I am highly respected due to my educational background, but I definitely see how other physical education teachers become frustrated. Since I am at the dissertation phase of my Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership, colleagues automatically think I am brilliant because I am going to have Dr. in front of my name. I have met plenty of smart and highly intelligent physical education teachers who are at the same level I am but do not receive the respect they deserve. Hopefully, we will receive the respect we deserve physical education teachers! Great post!
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Rebecca Deutsch (Beckydeutsch)
New member
Username: Beckydeutsch
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2010
| | Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 8:21 am: | |
I agree also. It's a shame how many people look at us (i'm a student) as "just gym teachers." I still have to constantly remind my friends and family that I'm going to school to be a Physical Education teacher, not a gym teacher. People don't understand how important we are in the health care system, but I know that's because I large portion of PE teachers still aren't fulfilling their duties. The "roll out the ball" teachers give us such a bad name. These types of teachers need to get with the fitness mentality and teach students how and why physical activity & exercise are so important. We are the root of good health. Hopefully someday we can achieve a better name for our profession! |
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Senior Member
Username: Stephenpe
Post Number: 128
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 10:18 am: | |
I could care less what some elitist attitude (Im gonna make big money) twit would say about PE.
I took the GRE and scored higher than my wife (who basically took PreMed classses as an undergrad). I have an MSeD from a major university. But all that aside I have the best job in the world with people I like (mostly the kids). Im not getting rich ($$$ wise) but I am rich in knowing kids need me and love me.
I have taught PE for 30 years and I see the impact PE and I have on children. Could care less what someone thinks about me or my job. |
Joe Herzog (Bigfish344)
Advanced Member
Username: Bigfish344
Post Number: 62
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 7:56 pm: | |
As an old guy (even older than Steve) I applaud all of you for having such faith in the career you have chosen. Because of you, and the work that professionals such as Steve have done over the years, the status of our discipline is in fact gaining prestige. It is important that the world knows that most of us DO disagree deeply with the "roll out the ball" crowd. Please take your message public...letters to the editor, radio talk shows, presentations before your school board. Find ways to reach maximum numbers of the public. It is YOU who will bring physical education to the forefront of education. And YES, it is the most important discipline in education. |
Matthew Bassett (Bassett1976)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bassett1976
Post Number: 39
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 10:01 pm: | |
I think the key is keep being an advocate. We do have a lot of people who bring bad attention to our profession. In my state we are still hearing about physical education being removed from the curriculum to make way for the $10 an hour YMCA "guy." My personal feeling is that one quality teacher is overlooked by 10 bad teachers. We probably have 10 bad teachers (at least) for every quality teacher in my state.
If you are an advocate when people make comments that "your not living up to your potential" than you have a wonderful opportunity to tell them what you do that is so different. Also, the parents will start to find out the same thing when little Jimmy isn't getting the "A" anymore because he is not learning the concepts and not developing both his skill levels and fitness levels. This will continue to stretch out into the community as well.
We are the future, we are not the dumb teachers that once ruled this profession. If we (the good teachers) don't start to make a name for ourselves we'll find that we are on the outside of the educational field. Hopefully, with enough work, we'll look back at this point as the turning point for physical education. |
Becky Gruver (Gruverb)
Junior Member
Username: Gruverb
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Monday, November 08, 2010 - 10:06 am: | |
Not everyone understands how demanding our curriculum is or how important our job is. It is very important to be physically fit and understand how to do that. Also it is important to understand health risks and how to prevent them. These are something that are used in everyday life and can effect your quality of life. |
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Senior Member
Username: Stephenpe
Post Number: 137
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 4:06 am: | |
I did not mention the curriculum I went through back in the mid 70s. My anatomy class was amazing. We learned it all. Went to cadavar labs even. The guy was intense and demanded we know pretty much what the docs had to know about
the body. Gymnastics (which I had no background in) was intense also. We had to do things on the rings, horse and high bar I thought would kill us and we had to pass it or fail. I remember guys screaming when they finally passed a skill.
I dont know the collective IQ of all PE teachers but I know what I can do. I have been selected TOY of the year twice and for many years was asked to do the writing when someone wanted to blow our horn through the media. I think my school's A status for many years is in direct proportion to the quality of PE they have each day. Children need that movement each day to
offset the sedentary classroom. |
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Senior Member
Username: Stephenpe
Post Number: 141
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 - 8:35 am: | |
In fact here is a letter to the Gainesville Sun today from my former anatomy teacher at the Univ. of Fla. He is a brilliant guy and this is his 3rd letter over the last two years or so.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110131/OPINION03/110129662/-1/opinion?Title=David-A-Kaufmann-Thick-and-tired-of-it-Ditch-the-love-handles |
Gerry Cernicky (Pingeyez2)
Junior Member
Username: Pingeyez2
Post Number: 11
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 6:35 pm: | |
With all the stimulus funds for school disricts being ditched , it appears that there will be cuts across the board and PE is in the way . I ask if you are in that position , what would you say to prove you belong and what you teach is important. If you didn't advocate PE in the past , it may be too late.
The time is upon us. Check out my webpage and click the link saving PE link at http://igreen.tripod.com/gerpe/id35.html |
Hilary Scheuermann (Hls5990)
Junior Member
Username: Hls5990
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 - 5:42 pm: | |
I am a student and currently faced with all the issues described above. When I tell friends that I chose health/PE, I get the look of why did you do that. It is frustrating to constantly defend myself to others. My courses aren't a piece of cake or useless. I think to defend and support PE it is important to back-up what we do with science. When I pull out my A&P knowledge, people
take a step back. I guess it is the obligation of up and coming PE majors to help to continue this transition from old to new. I am excited to finish my education and be able to get into the schools and make a difference. It is inspiring to hear others support PE as a rewarding career. Thank you for all the positive support!
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