Respect, Leadership, Teamwork

Teaching Physical Education is not just about skills and drills, it’s about encouraging and demonstrating respect, leadership, and teamwork. It is important for teachers to recognize the fact that every student is different, and to prepare their lesson plan in a way that will accommodate everyones needs, and benefit each individuals well-being. Many students may feel uncomfortable in physical education, as it is much more interactive than any other classroom. As teachers, it is our responsibility to build relationships with our students in order for them to feel comfortable, so they can gain the full experience.

Students can learn respect on a different level when they participate in a physical education class.  Students are more interactive with each other, which can have a positive outcome; however it can also create negative effects. For example, there are more racial, derogative, and harassing comments made in a P.E. class, therefore some students may be empowering themselves with a lack of respect for their peers. An example of how to teach students to show respect is to have them shake hands with other players after a game. As teachers, it important to educate students about respect in any classroom, and I personally believe that physical education class is the ideal place to do so.

Leadership is a valuable attribute that teachers can pass onto their students.  Anyone holds the potential to have a positive influence on others through leading; they just need to be given the chance. Physical Education class is an excellent place to appoint your students to different roles. For example, selecting different students each day to lead an exercise, or hand out equipment, is a great way to guide students into a leadership role. Most students will embrace the responsibility given to them, because it gives them a sense of power in a positive way. Leadership is an important life lesson to learn because not only does it allow an individual to gain a sense of independence, but it is a valuable quality that students can take with them into any field of work.

Teamwork is also an important quality for students to obtain for the work force. It enables them to have respect for the people around them and work well with others. It is important for teachers to illustrate the significance of teamwork, by demonstrating games and activities that require students to function cooperatively in a team environment. For example, each team member must touch the soccer ball before the team can score a goal. It allows students to participate, or incorporates those into the game that would otherwise not be included. Teamwork between students creates more interaction, and develops relationships that can become the foundation of lasting friendships.

My philosophy for being a Physical Education teacher consists of educating my students about many valuable assets that will benefit them later in life, all of which obtain a focus on respect, leadership, and teamwork. These three characteristics are valuable lessons that, I believe, will benefit every student that passes through my classroom. I can only hope that each student will adopt these concepts and carry them through life, but more importantly that they can do so while having fun.