Physical Education is For Fun!

Studying to become a teacher, I have tried to get in the habit of reading and watching daily news coverage. I now realize the importance of staying up to date on the latest top stories, information, and health information, because different events can have an impact on our students. Different events can also effect how you approach a situation as a teacher. One event that occurred most recently was in Ohio at a Youth Soccer game. A 17 year-old boy received a yellow card from the referee and reacted by punching the referee in the face. Because the referee suffered an internal head injury and was unable to see the damage, he wasn’t able to realize how seriously he was injured. The referee ended up going into a coma and passing away. As a physical education teacher, this story had such a strong impact on me in so many different ways. Starting in elementary school, it is crucial as a physical education teacher to teach children affective characteristics they will be able to demonstrate into their adulthood. First and foremost, the games children play at such a young age should be for fun. To often the focus is put on winning, and children haven’t yet developed the skills nor should they be put in a competitive situation. In physical education class, my students will learn to demonstrate good teamwork skills. More importantly I want to build good personal skills and character skills. Unfortunate events like this should not have to happen. I hope the future for youth sports can look brighter, and by preparing my students by having them demonstrate respect, patience, and good sportsmanship hopefully events like this no longer occur. This unfortunate incident helped me to realize how my job as a physical education teacher is important in many different ways and how I am given the opportunity to leave an impact on the lives of my students as well as shape my students into well-rounded individuals, socially, physically, and cognitively. By having my students participate in fun activities where everybody is a winner, I hope to prepare them to be able to handle a situation more appropriately then the unnecessary event that occurred at the soccer game.

Reflecting on Past Events

Reflecting on past unfortunate events such as September 11, as well as the Boston Marathon Bombing, it offers a clear picture on how as a future educator we must be aware of events that are going on so we are able to be there for our students. When events like these occur, many times students want to talk about what is going on, and many times teachers are the ones they turn to for answers to their questions. As an educator it is important to know how you will be there for your students, and how you will prepare to answer such questions. Furthermore, events like these may also negatively affect a student’s ability to think straight, for those who were directly or indirectly impacted. Everybody was impacted from these events one way or another, and as a teacher we must strive to bring comfort in hard times. Furthermore, from a physical education standpoint, events like these make me realize how in a sudden instant, a person’s life can be changed forever. Because of the War in Iraq, and events such as the Boston Marathon Bombing, more and more people are becoming disabled; whether it be becoming an amputee, or some other disability. It is important as a physical educator to be prepared to deal with students who are disabled and accommodate them into your class. Inclusion is essential, always striving to make them apart of the class, and modifying only when necessary. Because of events like this, people who suddenly lose limbs deal with grieving, sadness, and anger. It is important to be aware of that, and help in anyway you can.