We were meeting with our daughter’s gymnastics coach. It was not confrontational. We just needed some clarification on some expectations and what was necessary to improve. I identified myself as a Physical Education teacher. Unfortunately, that’s where the trouble all began.
Me: Words to the effect of “as a PE teacher, I know that students will work up to your expectations and I am a little worried that our daughter is not being challenged by the group she is placed in.”
Coach: Words to the effect of “Well teaching PE is different. We are actually trying to do something with them here.”
All righty then.
I am sure you have faced this before. It was not my first rodeo either. I have sometimes commiserated with others that it is difficult to have to justify what you do every day. Do math teachers? Do science teachers? Kindergarten teachers? Really? Like I am not trying to do something with them every day? Whether our goal is to improve personal fitness, learn to throw, jump rope, or hit a ball, we do something everyday. How do we go about changing the public perception of what a Physical Education teacher does? I have my ideas, but would love to hear what you think!