A successful physical education teacher has a wide array of personal traits and characteristics that help them to excel in their job. From being able to connect with students to have a good grasp of the concepts, it takes a special skill set to teach this area of study. Here are five proven traits of a great physical education teacher.
Athletic Ability: It probably goes without saying that one of the most obvious traits in a good physical education teacher is athletic ability. It is hard to model good skills if you cannot demonstrate them to your students. While you do not need to be a world-class athlete to teach physical education, being able to model good behavior and show why physical fitness is important will help you to be better in your job in passing this knowledge on to others.
Teaching Skills: In addition to being able to demonstrate the right skills, the best teachers in this field of study also have the ability to transfer their knowledge to students. It is not enough to simply have the educational background or physical ability necessary to do the job. You also need to have the talent to be able to effectively pass this knowledge to students. It is also important that you have the teaching skills to be able to reach students of all physical abilities.
Educated in the Field: You cannot expect to excel in this field without the necessary background knowledge and educational training. Earning a masters in physical education from places like Education Degree will go a long way in making you the best teacher that you can be for your students.
Earning this graduate-level degree will give you a leg up on the competition while also increasing your earning potential in this field. In today’s connected world, you can even earn this degree in an online setting.
Creativity: Teaching physical education requires that you think outside of the box in order to connect with your students in meaningful ways. Kids are notorious for having a short attention span. Getting creative with how you present this information to your students will keep them engaged in what they are learning. The best teachers lean on a variety of activities so that students do not become bored.
Enthusiasm: The best teachers in this field are enthusiastic about their job. It is challenging to get up every day and be able to motivate students to do their best. A hefty dose of enthusiasm will be contagious to the students, helping everyone to get more out of the experience. The best teachers work hard every day to inspire and motivate students to reach all of their physical education goals. These stellar teachers also ensure that every student feels welcomed and valued.
With obesity rates increasing everywhere around the world, the role of a physical education instructor is more important than ever. Focusing on acquiring these five vital skills will ensure that you are excelling in this endeavor.