Physical Education Teacher Education

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The Physical Education Teacher Education Option (PETE) prepares students for K-12 certification in Physical Education. The course work supports the goals of the School of Education to prepare teachers with the skills and understanding necessary to meet the needs of all students in a variety of educational settings. The Physical Education program is divided into four components: liberal studies, education course work, professional sequence and an area of concentration or minor.

Areas of Concentration

The Students in PETE must select 1) an area of concentration within Kinesiology, 2) an individually designed area of concentration (approval required), or 3) a minor in another field. Requirements for the minor are determined by the department granting the minor. Students may pursue more than one area of concentration/minor. The following options are possible choices:

1. Adapted Physical Education: For information, contact Tim Gattenby: 608-262-9562
2. Health Education Minor: For information, contact Curriculum and Instruction, Bonnie Trudell: 608-263-4646
3. Dance Minor For information, contact the Dance Program, Professor Jin-Wen Yu, 262-2640

Program Strengths

1. Engage in state-of-the-art teacher effectiveness research. Students are introduced to skills of effective teaching as supported by research. Active research opportunities are provided within the context of coursework.
2. A focus on the teaching process. Students learn about the skills necessary to become a good teacher, and are encouraged to develop self-assessment abilities that help them to constantly reflect and continue to grow. Representative artifacts of students' development as teachers are created as a part of each course.
3. An emphasis on professional development. The profession of teaching is presented as a journey for which each teacher is responsible. Students are introduced to the journey and empowered to take responsibility for their own continued professional development.
4. Cohort programming. Students work with the same group of students throughout their educational program. Strong, supportive relationships are fostered and serve to strengthen teachers as they grow in and beyond the program.
5. Practical teaching opportunities. Students are required to participate in over 100 hours of hands-on teaching experiences during the program before student teaching. Additional hours and experiences are encouraged and many opportunities for additional teaching experiences are provided.
6. Opportunities to gain experience with special populations. In addition to regular program coursework, students in the PETE program have opportunities to work with students of many abilities both in the Natatorium and at area schools.
7. Partnerships with the public schools and outside agencies. Students have opportunities to interact with area teachers, parents, health and fitness professionals, and students from a variety of area agencies.
8. An emphasis on the development of critical thinking. Students are encouraged to not just gather information, but to carefully consider, compare, contrast, and apply new information to their teaching.
9. Experiences and practice in the development of teaching to students of all abilities and backgrounds. Students are presented with opportunities to explore the perspectives of a wide variety of cultures, abilities and beliefs. After participating in these opportunities, students are encouraged to consider all perspectives in their teaching.

Advising: Dan Timm, 608-262-7714 or dtimm@education.wisc.edu

Application and Admission Requirements:
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