Overview
Southern’s Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Program is designed to prepare students to teach Physical Education in preK-12 public and private schools. Successful completion of this program fulfills the academic requirements of the Connecticut initial educator certificate for preK-12 physical education.
The program includes multiple opportunities to gain real-life field experience throughout the student’s matriculation, including 16 weeks of full time teaching during the culminating student teaching experience. Course instruction is provided by experienced, dynamic faculty who have a sincere interest in each student’s development.
The Physical Education Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fulfills all standards established by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Additional certification to teach school health education is available as an option for students.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Physical Education (preK-12 teacher certification) Teacher Education Program is to provide undergraduate students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to effectively educate various populations about how to live healthy, active lifestyles. This program guides student professionals towards meeting all of the requirements to apply for a Connecticut preK-12 teaching certification in Physical Education and Health Education, which allows them to teach Health and Physical Education in preK-12 public and private school settings. It provides opportunities to learn and apply skills within areas such as physical education, health education, physical activity, athletic coaching, athletic directing, and/or outdoor recreation. The program provides opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty within their areas of expertise and other future professionals through volunteer/service and professional development experiences.
Topics covered
The Physical Education (preK-12 teacher certification) Teacher Education program curriculum is aligned with the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) National Standards for Initial Physical Education Teacher Education (2017). Program completers meet the following standards:
Standard 1: Content and Foundational Knowledge
Physical education candidates demonstrate an understanding of common and specialized content, and scientific and theoretical foundations for the delivery of an effective preK-12 physical education program.
Standard 2: Skillfulness and Health-Related Fitness
Physical education candidates are physically literate individuals who can demonstrate skillful performance in physical education content areas and health-enhancing levels of fitness.
Standard 3: Planning and Implementation
Physical education candidates apply content and foundational knowledge to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with local, state and/or SHAPE America National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education through the effective use of resources, accommodations and/or modifications, technology and metacognitive strategies to address the diverse needs of all students.
Standard 4: Instructional Delivery and Management
Physical education candidates engage students in meaningful learning experiences through effective use of pedagogical skills. They use communication, feedback, and instructional and managerial skills to enhance student learning.
Standard 5: Assessment of Student Learning
Physical education candidates select and implement appropriate assessments to monitor students’ progress and guide decision making related to instruction and learning.
Standard 6: Professional Responsibility
Physical education candidates demonstrate behaviors essential to becoming effective professionals. They exhibit professional ethics and culturally competent practices; seek opportunities for continued professional development; and demonstrate knowledge of promotion/advocacy strategies for physical education and expanded physical activity opportunities that support the development of physically literate individuals.
Evolving (possible areas of employment, expected growth etc)
Graduates of the SCSU Physical Education Teacher Education Program have the opportunity to apply for their Connecticut initial educator certificate for preK-12 physical education and work full-time in preK-12 public or private school settings as physical education teachers. Graduates may also go on to work in related fields, such as physical fitness, physical activity leaders, athletic coaches, outdoor recreation, summer sports camps, and provide physical activity/sport opportunities at summer camps. Graduates of our program have the option to apply for a cross-endorsement in health education to add to their initial educator certificate. This allows graduates to work full-time in preK-12 public or private school settings as health education teachers.
Program Features
- Learn how to effectively teach children and adolescents in grades preK through 12 how to live healthy, active lifestyles
- Meets the requirements to apply for a Connecticut teacher certification in physical education
- Option available to meet the requirements for a cross-endorsement in health education
- Learn how to provide physical activity opportunities for people of all ages in settings such as during school, before- and after-school, and communities (YMCAs, community centers, recreational and competitive athletics programs, summer day and sports camps, fitness centers)
- Learn from knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated faculty who are actively engaged in the fields of health, physical education, recreation and dance at the state, national and international levels
- Engage in a variety of observation, assisting and teaching experiences in schools with preK-12 students
- Learn from certified and trained health and physical education professionals currently teaching in preK-12 public and private schools
- Collaborate closely with the College of Education to develop knowledge, skills and dispositions to pursue a career in education
- Engage in campus involvement, volunteer, and community service opportunities through the Physical Education Club
- Engage in off-campus professional development opportunities at local, state and national workshops, webinars, and conventions
- Engage in professional service opportunities within local, state and national professional organizations
- Curriculum aligns with the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) National Standards for Initial Physical Education Teacher Education
- Nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- 120 overall credits
Program Requirements
Visit the undergraduate catalog for program requirements and further information.
Testimonials
“One of my favorite parts of the program is how helpful and caring the professors are. Their
doors are always open, they are willing to offer advice, and they were beyond helpful as I navigated through the program. The professors truly make the PE Program at SCSU unique.” - Steven Samela, ‘20
“After attending SCSU’s Physical Education program, I can gladly say it was a great learning experience from beginning to end. As students, we had plenty of hands-on field experience that I can say definitely helped me build experience as a future physical education teacher.” – Tyler Monteiro, ‘20
“The Physical Education Program made me feel at home. I have developed lifelong friendships with my classmates, along with lifelong relationships with my professors. I know I can always reach out to any one of them if I am ever in need of advice or direction.” - Jaime Conklin, ‘20
Contact Information
Dr. Catherine P. Abel-Berei
Coordinator, BS in Physical Education (preK-12 teacher certification)
Bereic1@southernct.edu
(203) 392 - 6085