Physical Education Degrees in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has long been known for its high teaching standards and its positive student outcomes, a trend that state officials hope will continue for many years to come. This consistent growth depends on the work of professional educators in various subject areas.
If your interests lie in sports, fitness, and health, you could be a great asset in the field of physical education. Many experts believe that changing the health of America starts by changing the health habits of American students.
Role of Educators with a Physical Education Degree in Wisconsin
Becoming a teacher involves lots of education, mentorship, and personal growth. Take the first step in your teaching journey today and contact Wisconsin schools for more information on how to become a physical education teacher.
If it has been several years since you’ve taken a physical education class, you may want to learn more about the current goals and priorities of this field. Doing so can help you get established as a student, learn valuable skills, and positively contribute to the teaching community.
In Wisconsin, physical educators benefit from membership in Wisconsin Health and Physical Education. This professional organization gives educators access to current legislation, advocacy support, training and networking events, and discounts.
Few careers have as much potential to change lives as the field of education. Benefit from national growth of teaching jobs by taking the next step in your education. Learn more about earning a physical education degree by getting in touch with local programs today.
Getting Your Physical Education Degree in Wisconsin
By far, the most widely available option for teaching licensure is a Bachelor’s degree. If you have an Associate’s degree, you may transfer some of your credits to save time on your degree. Overall, a Bachelor’s degree in physical education takes approximately eight semesters of study. Wisconsin schools require, at minimum, 120 credits. However, some schools require more, depending on their practical experience coursework requirements.
As you work toward an undergraduate physical education degree, you should build your knowledge and practical skills in several areas. You may get a thorough understanding of your professional goals by studying your program’s learning outcomes.
Learning outcomes may focus on knowledge of teaching research, ability to apply theory and research to teaching situations, understanding of Wisconsin teaching laws, and ability to work as part of a team of educators. Your required courses all actively work toward one or more of these outcomes.
Commonly Offered PE Courses in Wisconsin
- Education Psychology
- Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education
- Methods of Teaching Physical Education
- Fundamentals of Fitness
- Theory of Team and Individual Activities
- Physiology of Exercise
- Kinesiology
- Adapted Physical Education
- Motor Activities for Young Children
By the time you graduate, you should be so comfortable in a school environment that you are ready to jump into your role as a physical education teacher. This level of comfort comes from multiple placements in local elementary, middle, and high schools. From your first semester as a teaching student until your final semester, you should spend time in a Wisconsin school each week. It all comes together in your student teaching course, a class that assigns you to a Wisconsin school and requires you to take on teaching duties and responsibilities.
This experience should expand your time management skills, your critical thinking abilities, and your comfort with students. This is when you start building a professional reputation and a network of teaching contacts, so it’s important to put your best foot forward in every situation.
Licensure of Wisconsin educators goes through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. They require advanced testing in your area of study. For you, this means passing the Praxis II Physical Education Content and Knowledge exam.
Working with a Physical Education Degree in Wisconsin
Since standards are extremely high for Wisconsin educators, you may be ready to meet the needs of many school districts with your degree in physical education and your teaching license.
Wisconsin has a large rural population that is served by smaller school districts. If you work in a rural part of the state, you may be expected to teach students at all grade levels, since it can be expensive for small districts to have physical education teachers at each school. Metropolitan school districts tend to have larger physical education teaching departments.
Wisconsin salaries are in line with national and Midwestern averages. Currently, elementary school teachers bring in a mean income of $54,790 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Those who teach secondary school earn an average salary of $55,360 per year (BLS, 2016).
If you are passionate about public education and a child’s right to a healthy start in life, this is the time to learn more about how to become a PE teacher in WI. Use the list of schools below to request information from programs near you.
