Running head: REFLECTION ESSAY

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Reflection Essay
Kevin Larsen
Instructor: Jaime Tigue
PHYE 160 Introduction to Physical Education
Online Course: Fall, 2014

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Reflection Essay
Introduction
The field I have chosen is Physical Education K-12. I have had the opportunity to gain a
great deal of experience in this field, by having the opportunity to substitute throughout the
Cassia County School District for different physical education classes. Also being a football
coach has also giving me experience as well. I feel that this where is I can bring my knowledge
and experience to make the biggest difference in my community and in the life of children I
come into contact with. I feel my life experience, the teachers, and coaches that have influenced
me will help me be a effective physical educator. It is important to have good communication
skills, a desire to make a difference in someones life, and the patience to teach children at
whatever physical level they are.
In this paper I will talk about my own personal experiences, beliefs, and my future plans.
I know where I want to go with my education and what my goals are, I am open to learning new
subject and ways of getting the attention of my students and players. I have a passion for what I
do and because of the teachers and coaches that have touch my life in ways I can never pay them
back, I want to be able to pay it forward to others.
Historical Practices, Philosophies, and Trends
Physical Education has been a subject in school for more than a 100 years. Even though
physical education was not a core subject and didnt attract much attention, except when the lack
of fitness among Americans was a issue with youth being obesity and overweight. There have
been three main occasions that were especially evident about the fitness levels of Americans.
First, was during the polio epidemic during the twentieth-century. The second was during World

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War II when so many draftees couldnt be drafted because of their poor fitness levels. Then third,
in the mid-fifties when research pointed out that 60 percent of American youth failed the
minimum muscular fitness compared to only 9 percent of European youth, where President
Eisenhower formed the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness.
In the late nineteenth century because of the development of gymnastic-oriented physical
education programs, during this time period the development of sports. After the civil war sport
grew and changed for being loosely organized games to being organized networks with
recognized rules and were over seen by national bodies. Sports became institutionalized, rule
governing the conduct, which enforced rules; the standards for competition were set,
championships were formed, records were being kept, and traditions and rituals were developed
and shared by participants and spectators.
Even though through time females were not allowed to participant in physical education
and sports for a long time. In 1972, Title IX was passed, which allowed females to have equal
rights to participate in sports and physical education. All of these trends have led to how physical
education, sports, and fitness is today, as male and females are able to participate in all aspects of
sporting events.
Looking back in history how the profession of physical education, sports, and fitness has
grown to what it is today. We need to make it known how important these are to building a
health country by forming good learning skills and habits to use in our daily lives. Even though
there have been changes and the changes going on today, physical education, sports, and fitness
are even more important today even at a basic level in teaching how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Changing Philosophies in Physical Education, Fitness, and Sports

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There have been many philosophical influences throughout early American physical
education, sports, and fitness. Such as physical education become a school subject, competitive
sports becoming more accepted, fitness becoming valued in its own right, and the importance of
play during childhood being recognized. The main philosophical influences include the
gymnastics philosophies, the muscular Christianity, the masculinity and femininity ideals, the
amateurism, fair play, and British ideals, and the character education. Ralph Waldo Emersons
philosophy of Muscular Christianity stated, "the first wealth is health (Siedentop, 2012, p.31).
Later Thomas Arnold developed a similar philosophy called Arnoldism it stressed that physical
activities should teach moral character, courage, team spirit and intellectual independence. This
philosophy became very popular and helped sports to advance quickly (Siedentop, 2012, p. 232).
All of these philosophies have influenced American to make what physical education, fitness,
and sports today.
These philosophies there are many different perspectives and ways to teach, and also to
participate in them. It is important to learn from our history and to figure out how others felt
about the different components of these philosophies. Ones philosophy isnt necessary any
better than anothers, I think we can all learn from one another and find a balance between them
and our own beliefs and values to create our own philosophy. Health and physical education is
that integral part of the curriculum that, through human movement, concentrates on the
development of individuals maximum physical potential and their related social, emotional, and
intellectual growth.

Past Experiences in Physical Education, Fitness, and Sports

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Throughout school I had several great physical education teachers that taught me how to
work hard and gave me the basic skills to help motivate me. In weight lifting my teacher helped
influence me in a positive way and taught me the importance of proper lifting technics and the
importance of building and maintaining muscle. I learned if I put in the time, effort, and worked
hard I would get where I wanted to be as a football player and as a wrestler. I was in the best
shape of my life, I felt stronger, healthier, and I had confidence in myself. I learned some healthy
habits in physical education and weight lifting classes that have helped me work on getting back
to a healthier and better me.

I have grown to love being in the gym lifting weight and working hard. Through physical
education, weight lifting, and sports I have been about to help kids I coach get into condition for
football and wrestling by teaching them good workout that build there endurance. Through what
I have learned in my past physical education has helped me be a better coach and motivator to
help the kids I coach and teach be more confident in all they do. I been able to share the passion I
have for sports, fitness, and physical education with the kids I come into contact with.

Professional Opportunities

There are many different routes I could take with physical education. As a physical
education educator you have to have a vast knowledge of physical sports, fitness, and education.
It also requires transferable skills like speaking in public and to groups. As a physical educator
being a positive role model, knowing the latest technology, and knowing the latest sports
technics are all important. Through my education I have acquired some of these skills, as well as
through coaching and other life experiences, but there is always room to grow.

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As I have substituted and shadowed physical education teachers I have acquired some
hands on experience in the field that will help improve necessary skills needed to be a successful
teacher. In the last three years substitute teaching throughout the Cassia County school district I
have had the opportunity to substitute at about every grade level and have learned ways to
interact more efficiently with students. These experiences have given me real life examples of
situation I may encounter as a physical education teacher. I want to continue to gain hands on
knowledge and experience in teaching physical education and improve on the skills that are
necessary.
Coaching is a very common profession within physical educators. I have two years
experience in coaching junior high football and wrestling, through this experience has brought an
even stronger passion for not only the sport but for teaching the young men the fundamental of
these sports. I have had the opportunity to take two teams in football that had never won a game
since they start back in 3rd grade and brought out confidence in them to be able to win some
games and feel the excitement of how to win feels. That brought out the passion for the sport
even more.

Professional Goals

I have short-term and long-term goal I want to accomplish. My first short-term goal is to
finish my Associates degree in Physical Education K-12 at the College of Southern Idaho. Then I
am planning to transfer to Idaho State University and continue my education to receive a
Bachelors degree in Physical Education. When I finish with my Bachelors I plan to get my
teaching certificate, then hopefully work teaching physical education in the community.

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As for my long-term goals I want to continue to coach football and wrestling and
hopefully be able to obtain a coaching position at the high school level. I want to be able to pay it
forward, as I have had some great role models that were teachers and coaches that made a
difference in my life, by helping me through some hard time. I hope to become a great role
model myself and make a difference in someone elses life. It is important as a physical
education teacher to motivate students to become more active and strengthen their potential.
There is some sort of activity for everyone, whether it is a school sport, or a community activity.
Another long-term goal of mine is to continue my education and receive a Masters
degree in Athletic Administration. I like to get a position working with the athletes and coaches
in a high school and help them achieve their goals they may have. It would be a dream come true
if I was able to obtain a position at a college working with their athletes and coaches. I have a
passion for sports, fitness, and working with the youth. I hope to be able to influence the youth
and help them form healthy long-term habits that can benefit them throughout their lives.

Conclusion

As I continue my education I am looking forward to when I enter as a professional

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References

Siedentop, D., & Mars, H. (2012). Introduction to Physical Education, Fitness, and Sport
(Eighth ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.