As a high school physical education teacher in Normal, IL, I created the curriculum for our current personal fitness course to help meet the needs of our student body. In an age where screen time outpaces physical activity and youth mental health is a rising concern, personal fitness education in high school is imperative. My teaching experience has made me realize that students just need a space where they feel comfortable moving. No matter their background or preconceived thoughts about PE,...| SHAPE America Blog
If someone asked you what a positive and inclusive PE culture looked like, what would be your answer? As a middle school physical education teacher, my goal is for all students to have a place where they feel valued, supported and motivated to participate. If you walked into my gym, I would want you to see students of all backgrounds and ability levels working side by side — encouraging one another, building skills and facing challenges as a team. I teach my students that it’s not about b...| SHAPE America Blog
As the wellness manager for my school district, one of my job responsibilities includes implementing the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) in our schools — essentially, making the school day more active. Like most health and physical educators, I know that physical activity is integral to student success. It supports students’ academic achievement, mental health and overall well-being. However, despite knowing about research that proves “active students are better l...| SHAPE America Blog
As I enter my 12th year of teaching elementary physical education, I’d like to share the tips I’ve used to start the year strong. With intention and a little planning, this can be the year you keep the fire burning instead of burning out.| SHAPE America Blog
What if students could build fitness and lifelong wellness through joyful, purposeful movement? As physical educators, we have the opportunity — and responsibility — to rewrite the narrative by connecting fitness to fun and purpose.| SHAPE America Blog
In college, I was a dual major focusing on athletic training and physical education. Teaching PE was my back-up plan. That all changed during my preservice program, which included one adapted PE class. After a day of instruction — and a student with special needs who never left my side — I recognized that teaching was my calling. I developed a soft spot for students who needed a little extra support that would stay with me throughout my 23 years as an educator. Addressing Diverse Learning...| SHAPE America Blog
Physical education teachers need to have equipment ready to address the needs of ALL our students, which includes adapted PE tools. That’s the idea behind the “Adapted PE Bucket.”| SHAPE America Blog
In 2014, the Always “Like a Girl” commercial went viral, challenging stereotypes and reshaping how society perceives female athletes. The message was simple but powerful: words matter, and so do the messages young girls receive about their capabilities. Research shows that girls’ confidence in physical activities often declines as they enter adolescence, with societal messages playing a significant role. As health and physical educators, we have a unique opportunity to counter these nar...| SHAPE America Blog
As a PE teacher at Dunbar High School in Washington, DC, I wanted to teach my students about “uncommon-to-them” physical fitness activities, such as yoga, boxing, weight training, cycling, and mountain biking. To do this, I often use the city as my physical education classroom.| SHAPE America Blog
Many schools have a Response to Intervention class schedule that helps provide engagement and enrichment activities for students. Spooner Middle School is finding success by using daily outdoor physical education as an academic and behavioral intervention.| SHAPE America Blog
In this article, the 2024 SHAPE America National High School Physical Education Teacher shares details about how he teaches lifetime sports in PE, as part of his “mobile” advanced PE class.| SHAPE America Blog
