How To Be An Outstanding Physical Education Teacher (1st Edition, 2020)

"I have a new teammate this year and I bought this book for her as she’s still young in the profession. But I think I am going to have to borrow it after she reads it (or maybe before!)." Jennifer Smith, 2018 Colorado Elementary PE Teacher of the Year

"I am currently reading How To Be An Outstanding Physical Education Teacher! I have to say I am loving it! Thank you! What a good resource!"
Tommy Mahaffie, Elementary PE Teacher and Athletic Director, Okinawa, Japan

"This is me all over! Really enjoying this book. I even started a Twitter account because of it. I'm hoping I am up to my new role." Hattie Ward, Bournemouth, England

"I can’t wait to use this with our college future professionals. Raw and authentic stories written with humor and drawn from real experiences make for a great way to learn and grow." Lisa Paulson, University of Minnesota-Duluth Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Program

"How To Be An Outstanding Physical Education Teacher is the first-ever book written by Physical Educators to reflect our heart, grit and convictions. 196 pages of inspirational stories. An instant best-seller and destined to be a classic." Artie Kamiya, Editor

Dear All: This is a pdf of our hard copy book How To Be An Outstanding Physical Education Teacher. Please note that this pdf version is full color. The hard copy version ($15) is NOT in full color, other than the cover. At a much lower price point, I really like this pdf. It's more attractive because of the full color throughout and easy-to-read like the hard copy.

"Let's Imagine for a Moment..." You’ve just received a phone call from a close physical education friend. Helen is inviting you to a potluck meal. You’re on the fence, so you ask: “Who’s coming?” There are several people you know and a few names you don’t recognize. You ask about the other people. “Just neighbors and a few folks from Ted’s work.” Ted is Helen’s husband and is a writer for the local business journal.

The Funny Thing About #PhysEd Here’s the funny thing about teaching physical education. You don’t really need to be all-in to get a paycheck. You can be half-hearted, blend into the crowd, keep your head down and be okay. It’s been this way forever. Or you can choose to be like Helen.Helen is all-in. She’s that protective mother bird guarding her nestlings and chasing away hawks. She surrounds herself with like minded thinkers who are on the Road Not Taken.

“And there will be few physical education friends that I’ve known for a while,” Helen says. “Several were my mentors in my early years as a teacher.” She wants you to meet them. So, do you rise above the crowd or just sink back into it? Choose the Road Not Taken or stay with the status quo?

Still on the Fence? You’re still on the fence. Large group gatherings are hit-or-miss events with you. You don’t exactly know what to bring. “Just bring yourself!” is Helen’s reply. “We have plenty of food.” You’ve just gotten home from teaching and you’re too tired to think. You appreciate Helen’s invite, just not really sure it’s a good fit for this weekend. “Let me think about it. I’ll text you tomorrow.”  However, a few short minutes later you find yourself sending Helen your response.

Happy Sounds... As you walk through the door, there are happy sounds of laughter and excited voices. You look around the crowded room. There are several clusters of groups talking and enjoying themselves. One looks like it could be the group from Ted’s office. Perhaps two smaller groups of neighbors?

You walk to the appetizer table that is located past the serving island in the kitchen and grab a few items. You find your phys ed friends and begin to small talk. As you listen, you think it may be time to leave the nest.

“Come to the edge,” she said. “It’s too high,” they said.

After the meal, everyone moves to the adjoining living room with a cozy fireplace to continue their conversations with coffee and desserts.

“Come to the edge,” she said. “We’re afraid,” they said.

You’re seated close to the fireplace, warming yourself and staring into the fire. You think you hear someone say your name, but when you turn around no one is there.

“Come to the edge,” she said.

Just then Ted asks for the group’s attention and announces: “I’d like to introduce a new colleague of mine. This is Rebecca. She will be joining me to cover our expanded school section of the journal.” Rebecca stands and says: “I know there are a few of Helen’s physical education teacher friends here tonight. Can I ask: ‘Why did each you decide to become a physical education teacher?’” As the stories wind down, you realize how quickly the time has passed. Before you leave, you say to Helen: “This was terrific. The food, friendships and stories were just what I needed. Thanks!” As you head out the door, you’ve made your decision.

“Come to the edge,” she said. And they came. And she pushed them. And they flew!

About This Book: This book was written by a talented cadre of 39 motivated K-12 physical education teachers eager to share their professional stories of growth, discovery and personal insight. As such, we are hopeful and excited to provide their experiences to you and the approximately 200,000 K-12 physical education teachers in the United States.