Physical Education Degrees in Iowa
Kids have tons of energy, and there’s no place that this is more obvious than school. When students have to sit for hours at a time, particularly while trying to concentrate on a difficult subject, they tend to fidget, get distracted, and struggle to retain information.
It’s important for students to get plenty of physical activity, both for their physical health and their academic performance. Physical education teachers employed by school districts all over Iowa creative engaging, age-appropriate curricula that help students get the most out of every day.
Role of Educators with a Physical Education Degree in Iowa
At Iowa schools, aspiring teachers have the chance to earn a physical education degree. If you think you could help students enjoy fitness and establish healthy habits, keep reading to learn more and contact Iowa institutions for more information.
Iowa is home to many initiatives that aim to get children active and keep them active throughout their lives. The Iowa Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance is an excellent resource for new and experienced physical education teachers.
Their mission statement indicates that they aim to enhance movement and fitness activities at schools throughout Iowa. Through this, they hope to encourage kids to lead healthy, active lifestyles and pursue lifelong learning opportunities. Their vision is high-quality health and physical education at every school in Iowa, taught by teachers who have been licensed in the field of physical education.
Iowa has a strong support system for teachers of all subjects. If you’re ready to get into the field of education, get more information on PE teacher degrees. Iowa schools can give you more information on teacher training programs throughout the state.
Getting Your Physical Education Degree in Iowa
When you look at the list of Iowa colleges and universities below, you can see that there are many teacher licensing programs in this state. It’s important to choose a school that is state-approved, as this is a core requirement for licensing. You need a teaching license to work in Iowa schools.
There are several types of requirements for aspiring teachers. The first, of course, is training. You need a Bachelor’s degree in education that fits the experience and theory requirements for Iowa schools.
If you already have an undergraduate degree, consider looking into alternative certification options and graduate degree programs. For most students, a Bachelor’s degree in education can be completed in eight semesters of a full-time study.
During that time, plan on taking courses like:
- Functional Fitness
- Team Sports
- Individual Sports
- Strategy Design for Physical Education K-12
- Movement Exploration and Adapted Physical Education
- Principles and Assessment of Physical Education
- Physiology of Exercise and Health
- Elementary School Physical Education
- Health Methods and Curriculum
- Motor Learning
You may also find that you get hands-on experience in many of your courses. This experience helps you learn how to become a PE teacher. By working with students of all ages and physical abilities during your education, you can build skills, get feedback from teachers, and get contacts in the local teaching community.
The most substantial teaching experience in your program is student teaching. For one full semester, you work exactly like a licensed teacher does. You keep the same hours, attend after-school events, and create class materials. You receive feedback throughout your semester so that you can become a skilled, competent, independent teacher by graduation.
After you have met the educational part of your licensing requirements, you can finish the rest of the process through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
They require a current certificate of CPR training in addition to your degree. You may get licensed in grades K-8 physical education or grades 5-12 physical education. Each option has its own endorsement exam. When you submit your application, you must pay a $223 licensing fee and submit your transcripts.
The work you do as a physical education teacher greatly benefits school systems throughout Iowa. You may help students build their confidence, do better in academic subjects, and find hobbies that enrich their after-school hours.
Working with a Physical Education Degree in Iowa
As a new physical education teacher, you have to jump in with both feet to get acclimated to the world of education. Once you get a job and find out what classes you will be teaching, you may spend a significant amount of time developing teaching materials and curricular plans. You have to consider tests, student evaluations, state physical education standards, and federal education standards while planning your courses.
Depending on the type of license you earn, you may go into elementary or secondary school teaching. By 2022, job openings for elementary school teachers may increase 12% in Iowa (O*Net, 2016). Secondary school teachers may see a 5% boost in job openings (O*Net, 2016).
Salaries vary between school districts. The average salary for an Iowa elementary school teacher is $51,310 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Iowa secondary school teachers earn an average of $51,180 per year (BLS, 2016).
If you’re ready to learn how to become a gym teacher, get started right now. Use the list of Iowa schools below to find programs near you. Contact them for more information.
