II. Philosophy of Physical Education
III. Philosophy of Athletics
Philosophy of Education
The
purpose of schools is to create an environment to help prepare students to live successfully
while developing the love for learning. Students must learn to have
responsibility, maintain their individuality and become efficient problem
solvers. To help ensure student’s success, a positive and encouraging
environment from the school is critical. Attitudes of the administration,
teachers, other staff and parents contribute to a successful environment.
Education should be built around each individual students needs and interests
for their goals for the future.
The
purpose of education and schools is not only to help students become educated
in the basic subjects, but to teach them lessons that can help them in the real
world. There should be an array of opportunities in a school for students to
participate in what interests them and they feel they can apply in the future.
Schools should be the place where students receive the opportunity to learn
from and experience both success and failure. Students can learn more from
personal experiences than they do from a lecture or reading from a textbook.
The purpose of schools is to be students-based, where faculty and staff are
100% focused on guiding students to a successful future.
Students
are a result of their environment. In a school setting the biggest influences
on the environment are the faculty and staff. The principal, teachers, aides,
and other staff work together as a team. It is important for all members to
come together to be reminded of the goals, give and receive advice, and
communicate any problems. Having unity among staff helps keep policies and
goals stay consistent throughout the school. Consistency is an important
element in creating a successful environment. It is important for all faculty
and staff to work together to be positive, encouraging, and patient with the
students. Having a positive attitude can go a long way as a leader and in
working in a team to achieve goals. The goals of all faculty members are to set
the students up for success.
Whether
teachers are in or out of the school, they are viewed as a representative for
the school. Therefore, their actions reflect back on the school. Teachers
should be active and responsible community members. Teachers are seen as role
models so they must make sure to possess admirable qualities that positively
influence the community.
Having
a positive and open environment is not just important for the students, but
also helps the parents. If the parent teacher relationship is open there should
not be any miscommunication of what their child is working. It is very
important for the parents to trust that the school and teachers are working for
their children and will help guide them to success. I believe open and honest
communication between teachers and parents can instill this trust.
Learning
is doing. Therefore, children learn best in an active participating
environment. Children are ultimately the only person who can determine their
future. Students must learn to be focused and work hard to achieve their goals.
To make sure that the students are getting the education and help they want and
need the have the ultimate responsibility of communicating. While doing the
work is the number one responsibly of the student, they also must make sure to
communicate with their advisers and teachers. If they do not communicate to the
staff, they may not be successful in reaching their goals.
Schools
should be the place where students gather the tools to help them be successful
in their future. Students should be guided through the process of learning
rather than being “told”. Students learn best from experience and making
mistakes. The best environment for students is positive and consistent with
freedoms for “exploring”. The faculty and staff must learn to work as a team to
create this environment. Although ultimately the child is the final decider on
the amount of success, teachers and parents should be there to push and guide
them.
Philosophy of Physical
Education
The
purpose of physical education is to help students explore and enjoy the
opportunities living a healthy life style brings. The best way to teach is
through a student-centered curriculum. Therefore it is important to be flexible
and adaptive so that all skill levels and learning styles are addressed.
Promoting a positive active environment where all participants feel welcome,
encouraged and safe is critical in the learning process. Assessing students is
also an important element to measure and track student’s knowledge and
development. All of these elements are significant in pursuing the main goal of
physical education: students acquiring the motivation to be active and healthy.
Physical
education should prepare students to live an active healthy life. The goal of
the teacher is to teach basic skill development for sports and lifetime
activities. While helping students develop the basic skills, they should
develop a positive attitude toward being active. If students are provided with
the tools to live actively, the teacher has done their job. Students should end
up developing a love and passion for an activity that they can continue to
engage in later in life.
When
teaching students how to live an active lifestyle, the teaching approach should
be based on a student-centered curriculum. Teachers should focus their teaching
strategies based on their students’ interests. The interest of students is
especially important in physical education to keep them engaged and active in
class. Keeping students active is the main goal of physical education; so using
a student-centered approach is beneficial. The more fun students get from class
the more likely they will apply their skills outside of school because they
enjoy it.
Evaluating
students understanding and development is also important in helping students to
become proficient movers. Assessments help the teacher evaluate student’s
affective, cognitive, fitness, and psychomotor abilities. While assessing
student abilities of a skill, a criterion-referenced scale should be used. This
type of assessment focuses closely on the individual and their abilities rather
than comparing students. This allows an opportunity for the teacher to be more
individualized with modifications in the lesson. Modifications are important to
ensure success for the student, which results in more enjoyment and confidence.
The
best environment for the students is a diverse group. Each student has
something different that they can bring to the class. The more diversity
results in more opportunities that students can use to help enhance the
learning environment. Different students may have varied experiences or ideas
that can be shared with the class to contribute to other student’s learning.
When it comes to different learning styles, it is the teacher’s responsibility
to incorporate a variety of them into each lesson. Techniques of using visual
aids, videos, modeling the skill, and talking the students through the skill
are all helpful in improving the clarity of the directions. This allows the
opportunity for students have an equal chance to understand. Including a
diverse group of students and using different teaching techniques will help set
all students up for success. Success helps build confidence and enjoyment for
students. No matter a student’s race, culture, age, or ability level, they all
deserve a chance at reaching success.
Through
a student-centered curriculum and assessments, physical education should
prepare students to leave high school being proficient and active movers.
Students should have a positive view toward being healthy and active when they
leave. They should want to apply their skills outside of class. Creating an
equal and successful environment will help all students reach this goal.
Philosophy of Athletics
The
opportunity to be a part of an athletic team can be a beneficial opportunity
for students of all ages to experience. Students can learn important life
lessons that can help them improve in and out of the classroom. The purpose of
athletics is to teach athletes about perseverance through successes and
failures, dedication, and teamwork. In result of these lessons athletes develop
moral characteristics. A coach must make sure to change the main focuses for
the team depending on their age or level. Although the goal of developing
character should remain consistent at all levels. The ultimate result of
benefits athletes can develop from sports starts with the coaches.
Coaching
appeals to me for these reasons, I want to be a positive influence on students
outside the Physical Education setting and help them further their development
of character. On top of building character, I have always wanted to coach
because I love the thought of being able to help younger people pursue and improve
at something they love to do. I want to be able to inspire athletes that they
can achieve more than they think if they work hard and don’t limit themselves.
Coaches
should help athletes understand that they can take lessons learned on the
“field” and apply them in the classroom. The characteristics they build from
the athletic situations help them become successful in the classroom as well as
the real world. Two ideals of athletics that are vital are dedication and
commitment. Both of these values are similar in that they teach athletes that
they must work hard to reach their goals. Also while trying to reach their
goals they will learn they may fail, but they can learn from their mistakes and
achieve success. Fairness is also another area that athletes develop through
the help of athletics. Learning to be fair is a characteristic that athletes
must learn quickly in athletics. There are consequences for inappropriate
actions or breaking rules, so if the athletes want to continue to play they
must be fair. Athletics can help students develop moral characteristics. These
characteristics will benefit and improve the overall environment of the school
and classroom. Students will learn to have perseverance, honesty, and to work
as a team. Overall I believe that athletics can help improve the educational
setting by teaching students lessons they may not receive in the classroom.
Coaches
must be personable, confident, and persevering when working with athletes.
Coaches act as a mirror for their students/athletes. Traits that coaches
possess will help the athletes develop the same traits as well. Therefore when
communicating with opponents and officials it is important as a coach to be
respectful and fair no matter the situation. Coaches should only expect their
athletes to respond the same way, therefore they must be demonstrate that
quality as well. When working with parents, the community and staff it is
important to have an open and positive relationship because they can be the
bases of support for your team. Coaches should also expect their athletes to
have the same relationship with the community members, parents, and staff
because of their support. Without the support of those people some athletics
wouldn’t be as a successful as they are, so being respectful and positive is
the least coaches and athletes could do in return.
The
qualities I value have developed from being apart of different teams throughout
the years and learning from my experiences. I feel I have developed many moral
characteristics through my athletic experience of setting goals and persevering
through the tough times. My philosophy of athletics will always being growing
and changing through the different experiences I have. Experience of being a
part of a team, or coaching a team will all have an impact of my views of how
to coach. Although I believe my values shall always stay consistent because how
these lessons significantly impact athletes on and off the “field”.
