Physical Education Interview Preparation Guide

Love working with kids
Grew up in the area/family in the area
I would consider this job a "dream job"
Student taught in the District and really enjoyed working with the students

Well planned curriculum and lesson plans based on state and national standards, student centered lesson plans, content that is age appropriate, an education that is as individualized as possible, student assessment that is appropriate, maximal participation time for students, inclusion of all students within the lesson, inclusion of technology to benefit the lesson, cross-curricular connections

I would provide individual differences for students by using intratask variation. I will provide options for students at a variety of difficulties for every skill in order to reach students regardless of their current level of development.

Depending on the skill or activity, I could also use teaching by invitation in order to let students decide on the parameters of different activities in order to best match their own skills and abilities.

While at the Intermediate School I created a pamphlet for parents in the School District as part of an assignment for my Penn State Student Teaching experience. I created a pamphlet that introduced myself, introduce what units the students are performing at the school, explain the importance of physical education and provide opportunities in the community for adults and children to be active in the community.

I could also create a webpage that includes updates on student's performance and what students are performing in class.

I think that technology can be a huge asset to a physical education program. At the high school during student teaching with Mr. Vecchio, I was able to incorporate technology through the video analysis of his strength and conditioning class. Using the app "Hudl Technique" I was able to use video analysis to provide feedback to students on their lifting technique. I could slow down video and draw to illustrate the proper technique while verbally describing how to perform each lift. This way students can hear the description for the proper technique while simultaneously seeing a visual to further describe each lift. On my ePortfolio website, I have this illustrated under the teaching tab.

In the next year I would like to be teaching health or physical education classes (or both) full time within this school district. I had the unique experience of completing my student teaching placement here in your District and loved being able to work with the students here. I'm from the area and grew up in Wyomissing and it would be wonderful if I was able to find employment here locally to be able to stay around my family.

Within the next five years I would like to continue to develop as a professional and continue to improve my skills and abilities as a teacher, while also becoming more involved in the school district. For example, I would like to continue to coach and participate in after school activities so that I can continue to work with and benefits the students and their development.

Turn this question into a strength question in disguise. For instance, say something like “I do not like not being challenged at work” or you could mention a weakness that has nothing to do with the job and that you can overcome with training. This way, you end up turning this potentially tricky question into a positive.

As much as you want to sell your self in a good light, do not make the mistake of exaggerating your current position. Add some of your routine tasks to make it realistic and don’t neglect tings like paperwork. Try to be in the interviewers shoes as you answer this question. A job you have been doing for years should be part of you already and as such; you must know all the tasks you undertake. Try to show them that you plan well before you begin work and after you attain your goals, you review the process to see how you could be more efficient.

I think that my ability to form and maintain positive relationships with students is one of my stronger qualities. Positive relationships with students helps me as a teacher to have the greatest affect on my future students not just academically, but also socially and emotionally as well.

A developmentally appropriate curriculum is one that is based off of the state and national standards for health and physical education. The curriculum needs to be able to help students according to their stage of development. At an elementary level, there is a focus on gross motor skills and basic movements to provide a foundations for more complex skills throughout their schooling. From there I would use scaffolding to build on the knowledge that they already have and are familiar with to continue to develop their physical skills and abilities.