Landwehr's Physical Education Philosophy
Activity is one of my favorite parts of each day. From basketball and tennis to intense weight training workouts to leisurely walks through the neighborhood, I thoroughly enjoy activity. As a physical educator, it is my goal to encourage students to find activities they enjoy, and can continue for the rest of their lives. Through a positive experience in my class, I hope that students will learn about many different types of exercise as well as the benefits that go along with activity. There are four things that should be part of a successful physical education experience: exertion, enjoyment, education, and election.
Students in class should physically exert themselves. Hard work produces better results in almost all facets of life. The same is expected for students in class. It is my goal that students will understand the benefits of exercise and be willing to put forth the necessary effort to achieve results. By exerting themselves during class, I hope that students enjoy what they are doing.
People are more likely to stick with things they enjoy. For that reason, it is imperative that students either enjoy the feeling of working out, or the results that they achieve by exercising. Ideally, students will be intrinsically motivated and just enjoy activity. However, if extrinsic motivation keeps them motivated to stay healthy and exercise, then they can still reap the benefits of exercise. Students should have positive feelings about activity, and be knowledgeable about what they are doing.
It is important that students are aware of the benefits of activity. It is not enough for students to come to class and stay busy for an hour. Students should leave class equipped with a basic knowledge of safe exercise practices and an understanding of the benefits of lifetime activity. Students should learn about all different types of exercise, so they can choose the activities that they enjoy the most.
Earlier I stated that people are more likely to stick with activities they enjoy. For that reason, students should be allowed to choose from different forms of activity. By allowing students to elect their own activities, they will have a sense of ownership over their exercise regimen.
As a physical education teacher, I cannot force anyone to be active outside of my class. However, if I can successfully implement the previously mentioned elements into my class, I firmly believe that more students will be active. As a wise man once said, ”You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” The same can be said for physical education. We must do our best to make physical education class a great experience, but people must take responsibility for their own lifestyle habits.
