Physical Education Top 10

I have been blessed to have worked with the best of the best. Robin Litaker and Susan Jackson truly have helped shaped me into the physical education teacher that I am today.....and I will forever be grateful. Melanie Sherer's love for our kids and willingness "to do whatever" will forever be etched into my heart.

I've also had the opportunity to work alongside top-notch physical educators through ASAHPERD, National Board Certification and Assessment, and through professional experiences within my school system.

As I reflect on these GREAT teachers, there are 10 qualities that truly stand out.

Here's the top 10 characteristics of GREAT physical education teachers....in no particular order.

#1: Organized: Great PE teachers have super organizational skills. Hundreds of students, tons of special events, small budgets that must stretch to cover lots of equipment.....yes, I think you get the picture.

#2: Life-long Learner: Great physical educators are constantly learning. Their curricula, their delivery, their classroom management, and their mindset is ever evolving. Why? Because they are student focused ....

#3: Student Focused: Great PE teachers work to build relationships with their students and to create a positive learning environment. Student progress is not just a goal but also an outcome. These teachers are driven by what's best for students.

#4: Team Player: Great educators work with colleagues, school staff, and the community in a way that the entire school positively benefits. A great team player helps to bring out the strengths in others....and recognizes their own weaknesses. Great physical education teachers understand that their greatest resource is each other...and they must work together to make the entire profession stronger.

#5: Passionate: Great physical education teachers realize that advocacy begins in our own schools. They stand up for their program, curriculum, students, and outcomes. They know the importance of sharing their mission with colleagues, administrators, and parents and they work tirelessly to build and maintain a quality program. Great PE teachers constantly work to bring validity to our profession. They truly love the profession.

#6: Flexible: Great physical education teachers realize that there will be bumps in the road....but they don't allow these bumps to cause the driver to turn the car around. Great PE teachers view issues as challenges and not as problems. Great teachers must be flexible in order to maintain serenity when chaos ensues.

#7: Advice seeking: Great physical educators are collaborators and are never afraid to ask for advice. They utilize positive and negative feedback to improve their craft. They understand that by seeking advice they are promoting the exchange of ideas.

#8: Reflective: Great physical education teachers are self- reflective in all they do. This reflection is essential in helping them to be more aware of themselves and their students. This reflection helps to foster new ideas and gives the teacher to glean information they might have previously missed.

#9: Positive: Great physical education teachers bring an attitude of positivity in all they do. This positivity is integral in creating a positive learning environment...and reaches outside of the gymnasium to help create and maintain a school climate and culture that is necessary for overall student success.

#10: Love for the kids: Great physical education kids truly love their students. They get to know them personally and build positive relationships. Great physical education teachers believe in their students and they help them see their inner talents, beauty, and strengths.

I strive to live up to my mentors and colleagues to make my physical education program a positive experience for each student. I fall short.... a lot. But I will always keep working to be better tomorrow than I was today.