Physical Education Teachers Help Students Build Lifelong Interests and Skills

May 24th, 2022

There’s no doubt in Deon Wingfield’s mind: he has the best job in the world.

Wingfield is the physical education (PE) and health instruction team leader, as well as the head varsity boys basketball coach, at Wilde Lake High School.

As a PE teacher, Wingfield says he is able to build unique relationships with students.

“I meet students wherever they are, help them see their potential, and work with them to get to their goal.”

For some students, that may mean improving their skills in a particular sport; for others, it may mean increasing their overall activity and fitness level.

Like Wingfield, Lake Elkhorn Middle School’s Jason Fahie says teaching PE gives him the opportunity to see students in a different light than other teachers may get to see.

“Students who may be timid or reserved in other classes are excited to get on the court and play,” he said. “PE gives students with strengths and abilities that might not be obvious in the classroom opportunities to stand out and be leaders.”

“Some students are more at home in PE and related arts than they are in more academic classes. It’s great to be able to provide them an alternative environment where they feel comfortable and excited to learn,” adds Kathy Eckley, who teaches PE at Waterloo Elementary School.

Wingfield says that PE also teaches students skills that help them in all realms of their lives.

“We don’t just teach kids how to shoot hoops or hit a ball. We teach them about what it means to be a member of a team. We teach them about leadership. We teach them to challenge themselves and try things that they might not have done before.”

Fahie agrees.

“PE is a place where students build relationships with other students, including [those] they may not otherwise interact with. They learn the value of helping each other and working together toward a common goal.”

PE also is a place where students can make important self-discoveries, says Eckley.

“Students may not know that they have an interest in, or an aptitude for a particular sport. By introducing them to a wide variety of activities, PE opens their eyes to what is out there and what they might enjoy doing longer term.”

Eckley also notes that PE provides exposure and access to activities like golf and tennis that might otherwise be inaccessible to some students.

“Sports like tennis and golf require a [financial] investment that may not be possible for some students and their families. By providing them with the equipment and the opportunity to play in school, we are making sure that they don’t miss out on something they might really enjoy.”

Wingfield adds that teaching students about the critical connection between physical and mental health is another crucial part of PE.

“I talk a lot with my classes about how ‘your wealth is your health,’” Wingfield says. To that end, he encourages his students to incorporate movement into their lives every day.

“I help them to understand that when they move more, they [may] be more alert in class and they feel better about themselves.”

Eckley notes that she, too, helps students to make connections between how they feel physically and mentally.

“I’ll check in with students at the beginning of PE class and at the end to see how they are doing. Most of the time, they say they feel better at the end. We’ll talk about why that is and how they can use physical activity to change or improve their mindset.”

Ultimately, Eckley says, her goal as a PE teacher is to inspire her students to become “lifelong movers.”

“Consistent physical activity is crucial to our health. By teaching students different ways that they can engage in that activity and helping them to discover which activities they really enjoy, PE teachers are helping to set students up for a healthier, more active life.”

In addition to school PE teachers, HCPSS employs adaptive PE teachers, who work with students with special needs. Keep an eye out for a feature on our adaptive PE teachers in the near future!

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