Description of a Physical Education Teacher
- Physical education teachers may specialize in elementary, middle or secondary school teaching or teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade. When preparing lessons, teachers typically follow curriculum established by their school districts or state. Teachers typically introduce new skills or sports, give demonstrations and then supervise games and activities to practice skills. Teachers may also give physical fitness skills or written tests to ensure that students have mastered concepts covered in class. Based on these evaluations, physical education teachers complete progress reports, such as assigning letter grades.
- A minimum of a bachelor's degree is typically necessary to work as a physical education teacher. Some colleges offer degree programs specifically in health and physical education instruction. These courses of study typically last for four years. Most baccalaureate programs include a student teaching experience, during which educators have the opportunity to work in a real school setting. Some physical education teachers may choose to pursue graduate-level education in the field, such as a master's degree in order to earn higher rates of pay.
- To serve as a physical education teacher in a public school, prospective educators must obtain a license or certificate from the state in which they work. Each state has its own requirements, but completion of a state-approved baccalaureate program and some form of written examination is generally necessary. Teachers may need to meet other eligibility criteria as well, such as having CPR and first aid certification or passing a criminal background check. In some states, health and wellness teaching requires a separate certification from physical education, while in others the credentials are one and the same.
- As of December 2010, physical education teacher salaries averaged $34,017 to $50,687 per year, according to PayScale. Physical education teachers certified to teach in elementary schools made an average of $32,087 to $48,990 annually, while those certified to teach in middle schools averaged $33,370 to $49,911. Secondary school-certified physical education teachers received average annual salaries of $34,810 to $50,627. Physical education teachers typically only work nine months out of the year and have their summers off while students are on vacation from school.