My Teaching Philosophy

     I think the key to teaching is building positive relationships with your students.  My philosophy is that the little things make a big difference in the experience that a student has in your class.  At the beginning of my classes I will greet my students at the door and I will say hello to each of them.  I will say as many of their names when saying hello because I believe that acknowledgement carries a strong message:  I see you and you are important.  That acknowledgement goes a long way in building a good relationship with students.
    I also believe in being positive.  It's more important to tell a student what they did right instead of what they did wrong.  I am constantly moving around my classes yelling positive encouragement:  "Nice pass!  Good block!  Way to move your feet!  Nice Job!".  I want students to hear my positive words because there will be times that I will have to discipline them and discuss with them their mistakes.  If I haven't built them up, the message will not be received well.  However, if they believe that I am there for them, it is a great opportunity for them to learn and take my words and disciplinary actions seriously and thoughtfully.
    I try to make my classes fun because I know it is the one time during the day that they get to play.  It is there one opportunity to let loose, relax, or get very energetic and I want them to enjoy their time in PE.  I try to laugh as much as possible and I love the moments that I get to joke around with students to help set a fun and relaxed atmosphere in the class.  This is not always easy or possible, however, because students will test me and there are times where I need to be very assertive and stern.  In building relationships, being positive, and having fun I feel like the times where I have to scold them, discipline them, or times when I get angry will be better received because I have spent time trying to build them up and create positive energy in the class.