American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: October 2009    

Four Considerations for Urban Physical Education  Teachers
    Rhonda Clements

Abstract: Although  professionals begin their physical education teaching career in an urban  setting with excitement and pride, many of them choose to leave urban schools  in their first five years of teaching and seek employment in the suburbs or in  rural settings or even abandon the teaching field altogether to pursue a  different profession. While searching for an explanation, it may be helpful to  explore the viewpoints of experienced urban teachers. Their thoughts could help  new professionals to experience the long-term rewards of teaching urban  physical education. This article describes four considerations of teaching  physical education in urban settings that can help teachers succeed: know the challenges,  acknowledge successful beliefs and practices, value teacher-directed instruction,  and maintain a professional demeanor.

Article category: NASPE Symposium