How it all started…
As we entered another lockdown period, I began to reminisce about my own development as a trainee PE teacher many moons ago.
I thought back to the observations, the mentor meetings, seminars, lectures, subject knowledge development events and to be honest, I looked back on this period with pride and fondness but also with an overwhelmingly memory of that time in my life being very tough.
Lack of time, burdens of expectation and excessive workload all culminating in a pressured environment that really did feel like sink or swim, and I’ve never really been the best swimmer!
Helping the next generation to teach PE
So, whilst reflecting at home, I began to realise that over the many years of PE teaching, those thousands of lessons and having mentored a range of PE trainees – I thought I might have quite a bit of realistic shop-floor experience to share.
I wanted to share what PE teaching is really like. Sharing the realities of what good PE lessons look like and the wider role of the PE teacher.
What PE is and what PE isn’t
And perhaps underscoring that it isn’t just grabbing a bucket of bibs and a ball, and disappearing off to the sports field.
Why being a PE teacher isn’t just teaching sports, coaching extra curricular teams and taking teams to cup finals.
The rollercoaster of teaching
I wanted to share the realities of the rollercoaster that is teaching. The twists, turns and unexpected corkscrews that make the role of the PE teacher fascinating yet challenging.
I wanted to create a book that was accessible to a range of people at a range of life stages outlining more realistically the profession they are entering.
An insight into teaching physical education
I have also worked with trainees in the past that have lacked accurate perception of PE teaching, and this has put them behind the starting line in the race towards employability.
Expert colleagues
As such, the book speaks from the experiences of a range of outstanding PE-People but without heavy, academic language and referencing.
The light style is designed to comfort yet challenge practice and approaches. In the busiest period of people’s lives, the book is broken into digestible chunks to support, challenge and hopefully to reaffirm.
Reaffirming and thought provoking
As a reader works their way through the chapters, a subliminal self-audit might begin to appear in the reader’s minds.
There will be chapters that provide that reaffirmation, the ‘I do that!’ moments that can boost confidence. Yet, there will be chapters that provide that food for thought.
Golden nuggets for early career teachers and trainee teachers
Aspects of practice that perhaps were more prevalent in earlier years, in the infancy of careers or perhaps elements of practice that do require a retune or refocus.
Hopefully, the chapter takeaways can help to task the reader with developmental actions that will further enhance practice.
Wanna Teach PE book launch recording
PE Scholar hosted the Wanna Teach PE book launch on the 10th of October if you missed it you can view it back via this recording:
The power of physical education
I have seen the power of physical education. I have witnessed the physical, social and mental growth in young people that is brought about through a positive relationship with PE.
I have also seen the detrimental impact caused by the absence of a positive physical education relationship. The chasm between the two is my why.
Making a positive difference
As physical educators, the power is in our hands to make a real positive difference to so many children and young people, day by day and PE lesson by lesson.
That is why I Wanna Teach PE, I believe in our subject, it’s aims and it’s potentially fantastic achievements with young people. Do you Wanna Teach PE? Well, this book should be able to help…
Get your copy today!
If you would like further information or would like to buy the book please click here for the Amazon link or click here for PE Scholar Store.
About the author
Ben Holden is the Sport Sciences Faculty Leader at High Tunstall College of Science. You can follow Ben or get in touch on Twitter via @WannaTeachPE
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