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First Phys.Ed Progam
Charles Beck established what is recognized as the first physical education program in the US in Massachusetts. Source: Hickock Sports -
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P.E. at Harvard
Dr. Dudley Allen Sargent oversaw the physical education department at Harvard for 40 years. During this time he developed many fitness activities and techniques which we still use to today - such as the use of dumbells, as well as physical tests such as the vertical leap (also known as the Sargent Test). Source: Top End Sports -
President's Council on Youth Fitness
Studies of the time period showed that American children were less physically fit than those in Europe, prompting President Eisenhower to develop this council. The purpose was to encourage children to be more physical active on a daily basis. The council still exists to this day, now known as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Source: Fitness.gov -
Title IX
Title IX is passed, which requires schools - from elementary to college - to provide equal opportunities in physical education classes as well as sports to boys and girls. It would lead to a gradual increase in participation in athletics by women of all ages. Source: TitleIX.info -
First baseball team
Physical education is about much more than playing sports, but my love for sports played a significant role in sending me down this career path. My sports experience traces back to when I was six years old and joined my first tee-ball team. -
High school baseball
While playing high school baseball I wasn't necessarily considering a career as a teacher or coach, but looking back on my experiences with various coaches (both good and bad), it played a significant role in shaping my view of the type of teacher/coach I would like to become. -
Physical Education for Progress Act
Passed as part of Title X in an effort to "initiate, expand and improve physical education programs." As part of the program, grants would be awarded to schools lacking funds to meet the needs of their program. Source: PE Central -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act increased fedarl funding of education dramatically, effective Jan. 2002. While some felt it was a positive step for education as a whole, the act failed to include mention of physical education. The lack of funding directly set aside for physical education could potentially be a reason for the decline in physical education opportunities in many school districts. Source: Ed.gov -
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act
This act was passed to expand the content of Physical Education courses to include nutrition. It marks one of the first steps toward broadening the cirriculum to provide students with a more well-rounded understanding of what it means to be healthy. Source: PEBiography.com -
Coach CVRC Swim Team
From 2005 to 2006 I coached the Chagrin Valley Rec Center swim team - my first experience with coaching. I was unsure I would enjoy it at first, but it ended up being a formative experience. Without this opportunity it is likely I never would have considered teaching/coaching as a career option. Image source: Chagrin Rec -
Comments from parents
As a swim teacher I received many comments from parents, but one stood above the rest. A parent of an 11-year-old girl approached me and told me how her daughter had hated swim lessons for years, but loved my class so much that she asked to join the swim team. Looking back, this is a perfect example of what I hope to accomplish as a P.E. teacher - to generate an interest in students that pushes them to pursue activities outside of school. -
Childhood obsesity rises
According to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, 18% of children between the ages 12-19 are considered obese. This is reportedly more than triple the percentage of 30 years ago. Statistics such as this sadden me, and I hope to help future generations lower these numbers by educating them on ways to stay healthy. Source: Washington Post -
Leaving ESPN
After spending three years working at ESPN, I decided to leave to pursue a career as a teacher. There were many reasons for leaving, but one was the fact that I simply missed the rewarding feeling I got from teaching and coaching. It took spending time away from teaching/coaching for me to realize how much I actually enjoyed it.
