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What is a health and physical education teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.

A health and physical education teacher plans and organizes lessons that teach students physical development, sports, and health. He/she plans these lessons in accordance with the curriculum of the students' grade level. A health and physical education teacher's main objective is to help students improve their overall health, develop healthy habits, be physically fit, and promote proper nutrition.

The role of a health and physical education teacher has grown to be more important in recent years due to the numerous health challenges. They typically work in schools and universities. To be successful in their role, they must have knowledge of sports, health sciences, experience in team sports, communication skills, first aid training, and should be physically fit.

Health and physical education teachers work regular hours of 40 hours a week Monday to Friday from 9 to 5.

What general advice would you give to a health and physical education teacher?

Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.Jennifer Lesh Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Website

Exercise discernment in your job selection: As a special education teacher, the range of positions available to you will be diverse and plentiful. Remember, a job interview is a two-way street. While school administrators will inquire about your qualifications, it’s equally important for you to evaluate the support and resources the school offers. Inquire about the school's induction programs for new teachers, mentorship opportunities, and the student-teacher ratio. Request a tour of the classrooms. It’s crucial that you feel a sense of belonging and alignment with both the environment and the team. The right fit for your initial teaching role can greatly enhance your capacity for resilience in this rewarding career. Never Stop Learning: Treat every day as an opportunity to learn something new. The most successful special educators are those who continue to grow their knowledge base and skill set long after formal education ends. Build Genuine Connections: Networking is more about building real relationships than accumulating contacts. Seek out educators as mentors whose work or path you admire and do are they are generally positive about teaching. Join a special education professional organization such as Council for Exceptional Children and get involved in the association at the local level. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It's crucial to find a balance that allows you to be productive at school while also taking care of your personal well-being. Burnout is real in the special education profession, and preventing it starts with recognizing the importance of your own health and happiness. Cultivate Your Personal Brand: Think about how you want to be perceived professionally as a special educator and make efforts to build your personal brand around those qualities. Whether it's through social media, blogging, or professional engagements, make sure your personal brand reflects your professional goals and values. Starting your career is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and fulfillment. By staying curious, resilient, and connected, you'll set the stage for a rewarding and successful career.
ScoreHealth And Physical Education TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.7

Avg. Salary $47,140

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.8

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.26%

Black or African American 7.20%

Hispanic or Latino 10.25%

Unknown 4.94%

White 66.07%

Gender

female 43.96%

male 56.04%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Health and physical education teacher career paths

Key steps to become a health and physical education teacher

  1. Explore health and physical education teacher education requirements

    Most common health and physical education teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.6 %

    Master's

    18.7 %

    Associate

    3.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific health and physical education teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management27.39%
    Physical Education Curriculum7.84%
    K-124.55%
    School Health4.22%
    Volleyball3.58%
  3. Complete relevant health and physical education teacher training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health and physical education teachers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a health and physical education teacher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health and physical education teacher resumes.
  4. Gain additional health and physical education teacher certifications

    Health and physical education teacher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific health and physical education teacher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for health and physical education teachers include Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research health and physical education teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the girls' volleyball team to a district championship and coach the state winner in high jump.
    • Take part in IEP meeting to discuss the progress of the student.
    • Support classroom teacher by preparing and distributing unit notes to students as outlined by their IEP
    • Instruct and educates elementary grades, k-5, about the importance and significance of life-long physical activity
  6. Prepare your health and physical education teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health and physical education teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a health and physical education teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable health and physical education teacher resume templates

    Build a professional health and physical education teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your health and physical education teacher resume.
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    Health And Physical Education Teacher Resume
    Health And Physical Education Teacher Resume
  7. Apply for health and physical education teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a health and physical education teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first health and physical education teacher job

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Average health and physical education teacher salary

The average health and physical education teacher salary in the United States is $47,140 per year or $23 per hour. Health and physical education teacher salaries range between $33,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average health and physical education teacher salary
$47,140 Yearly
$22.66 hourly

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How do health and physical education teachers rate their job?

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Health and physical education teacher reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

It keeps healthy as well as helps in maintaining the better fitness ,here in physical education there is no much money required to excel in it. No special area required for the recreational games.

Cons

laziness and indiscipline is the worst things that make students ugly in their profession.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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