To become a PE teacher today, earn a bachelor's in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or a related field, complete a teacher-preparation program with student teaching, and obtain state certification. Coursework covers exercise physiology, motor learning, adapted physical education, assessment, and first aid. Practical experience - coaching or internships - builds classroom and extracurricular skills. PE teachers lead lessons that prioritize lifelong fitness and inclusion and may later move into roles such as athletic director or school administration.

Why teach physical education?

Teaching physical education (PE) is a chance to help children build lifelong habits: movement skills, teamwork, and confidence. PE teachers lead by example, coach extracurricular teams, and often shape students' attitudes toward health and activity.

Typical education and certification

Most public K-12 PE teachers hold a four-year bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Health Education. Programs usually include core courses in exercise physiology, motor learning, biomechanics (kinesiology), curriculum and assessment, and methods for teaching PE.

State certification or licensure is required to teach in public schools. That typically means completing a teacher-preparation program and a supervised student-teaching internship. Private schools sometimes accept candidates without state certification but often prefer it.

Many teachers later pursue a master's if they want school leadership roles (athletic director, curriculum specialist, or principal) or to specialize in areas such as adapted physical education.

What you learn in a modern program

Coursework now balances sport skills with lifelong fitness and inclusion. Common topics include:

  • Exercise physiology and biomechanics
  • Motor development and learning
  • Adapted physical education (for students with disabilities)
  • Assessment, curriculum design, and classroom management
  • First aid, CPR, and concussion protocols
  • Sport pedagogy and coaching methods
Programs also expose students to a wide range of activities: team sports, individual sports, dance, yoga, fitness training, outdoor pursuits, and recreational games. The goal is to teach transferable movement skills and promote inclusive, enjoyable lessons.

Practical experience matters

Student teaching and internships give real classroom practice. Coaching youth teams or volunteering at after-school programs builds skills in lesson planning, behavior management, and communication with parents and administrators.

Extracurricular responsibilities are common: coaching, supervising clubs, or running intramurals. These duties can require evening and weekend commitments.

The day-to-day and career outlook

A typical school day includes teaching blocks, planning time, and supervision duties. Hours usually start early and end mid-afternoon, but evening events and tournaments extend the schedule. Summers offer scheduling flexibility - many PE teachers coach camps, work in recreation, or take continuing-education courses.

PE is a good fit if you enjoy working with children, love movement, and can manage classroom and extracurricular organization. With solid preparation, hands-on experience, and the required certification, you can build a rewarding career that supports students' physical and social development.

FAQs about Physical Education Teacher

Do I need a degree to be a PE teacher?
Yes. Most public schools require a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a related field plus state teacher certification.
What practical experience should I get before applying?
Student teaching, internships, coaching youth teams, and volunteering in after-school programs give valuable lesson-planning, behavior-management, and communication experience.
What subjects are taught in a modern PE program?
Programs include exercise physiology, motor learning, biomechanics, adapted physical education, curriculum and assessment, sport pedagogy, and first aid/CPR.
Will I have evening and weekend work?
Often yes. Coaching, games, parent meetings, and tournaments can require evenings and weekends beyond the typical school day.
Can PE teachers become school leaders?
Yes. With additional credentials or a master's degree, PE teachers can move into roles such as athletic director, curriculum specialist, or school principal.

News about Physical Education Teacher

PE teacher banned over indecent images of children - BBC [Visit Site | Read More]

Can Cypriot physical education teachers fully embrace physical literacy? An initial exploratory sequential study - Frontiers [Visit Site | Read More]

The chain mediating role of interest and physical activity level in the PE teacher autonomy support to primary students’ physical and mental health - Nature [Visit Site | Read More]

PE teacher banned after falsely claiming to be a former professional footballer - The Independent [Visit Site | Read More]

Legendary PE teacher who taught generations retires - Devon Live [Visit Site | Read More]

‘Legendary’ PE teacher blows final whistle on career after 33 years at same Dewsbury high school - Dewsbury Reporter [Visit Site | Read More]

Spatial characteristics of physical education teacher allocation in basic education: a GIS-based case study of Xi’an, China - Frontiers [Visit Site | Read More]