What’s up Friends!
I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a LOOOOONG time and I finally got my thoughts together and put it on paper (or a screen?) – I hope it’s an encouragement for you and that you can enjoy the process of creating change in your own life or Phys Ed Program!
Today I wanted to talk to you about a concept that taken me a while to fully realize and really start to understand and appreciate.
Change Takes Time
I realize that many people have been teaching way longer than me and have way better perspective and I hope they’ll chime in on Twitter – or in the comments, but to give you an idea of how long it took to change things in my P.E. Program (12th year teacher here), check out the video below:
Truth be told – I am not a very naturally patient guy – I like to get stuff done, I hate waiting on things or wasting time so this is a hard concept for me, but it’s true – I’ve said it before in a previous blog post that CHANGE IS A CROCKPOT NOT A MICROWAVE.
I just wanted to kick the year off with a heart to heart and say that I spend a ton of time making videos and creating resources for you guys and the PE Community and I just don’t ever want it to come off the wrong way and discourage anybody.
You might be watching a video that I made to inspire and it ends up being discouraging because you are comparing your beginning with my middle…
Don’t ever compare your normal day to someone else’s highlight reel
Don’t get me wrong – I love social media and try to use it’s power for good – but I have to keep it in perspective and realize that the incredible ideas everyone is sharing isn’t what’s happening every day, it’s their highlights – which makes sense, because that’s what’s most helpful for encouraging others and giving inspiration and good ideas.
I’m heading into my 12th year of teaching at the same school and I am just now finally feeling like I’ve got close to what I set out to create when I started here. My vision for this program when I started about 10 years ago (because lets be honest those first 2 years I was just figuring stuff out and surviving) is finally coming into reality.
The Last 11 Years…
Just for illustrations sake let’s take a quick look at the timeline of my gym’s evolution into the incredible teaching space that it is today (note that this is just the physical stuff – even harder to change is the mental stuff and growing in the art of teaching):
- 2007 -2008
- First job… just surviving… just learning – the bricks on the wall and the ceiling are pretty much the only things that we had other than a decently stocked equipment closet
- 2009
- Rock Wall #1 – put in a proposal to our PTO which was accepted and they used fundraiser funds to buy us a 5 panel – 20 ft Traverse Rock Wall (awesome for a station activity) I was super grateful, but wanted to get more to allow for a lesson on climbing and get more kids active at once. (FYI we bought it from Everlast Climbing and also had them install it)
- 2010
- Summer of 2010 we got a New Floor and Bathroom + Water Fountain (obviously a huge Bond Referendum (Tax Money Use Approved) had something to do with this) but if we hadn’t asked for it and presented the reasons why it was necessary, it never would have happened.
- To anyone who’s saying right now “you just got lucky” I agree with you, but with one caveat…
- “Luck is when preparation and initiative meets opportunity”
- To anyone who’s saying right now “you just got lucky” I agree with you, but with one caveat…
- Summer of 2010 we got a New Floor and Bathroom + Water Fountain (obviously a huge Bond Referendum (Tax Money Use Approved) had something to do with this) but if we hadn’t asked for it and presented the reasons why it was necessary, it never would have happened.
- 2011
-
- MUSIC – I finally got my ideal music setup (Wall Cabinet, Stereo, iPod + Bluetooth Capability) – Previously the last 3 years we had been using an old stereo with CDs and no remote control… it was miserable. After getting the iPod and Stereo with a bluetooth receiver it was amazing not feel tied down to one spot all the time in order to control the music – it allowed me to get around to more of my students and provide better feedback to more kids.
- This was achieved through talking to my admin about how it would positively impact student achievement and submitting a detailed proposal.
- 2012
- I used my entire fundraiser money (Jump Rope For Heart) to buy climbing ropes… I bought them, but couldn’t afford the mats yet… so they just sat in my equipment closet for the entire year
- 2013
- I used my entire fundraiser money (Jump Rope For Heart) to buy the crash mats for the climbing ropes and got them up on our ceiling… kids went crazy for them anytime I pulled them out… American Ninja Warrior at school – Amazing
- 2014
- I joined the rest of the classrooms in my school and got a screen in my gym. I’ve already written in detail about this (here’s the details on the whole setup) but this was a total game changer for my program and allowed me to start my Tech in PE journey. BIG shoutout to the ultimate PE Geek – Jarrod Robinson for turning me onto the possibilities of tech in Physical Education Class and mentoring me along the way.
- Side-note: I also launched this website in 2014 🙂
- 2015
- I wrote a grant through Donors Choose that finally got funded on the 3rd submission for 2 iPad Mini’s – this was a big deal because it allowed me to start learning how to use a ton of different Apps in my Physical Education Program (I even published an E-course about my favorites last year called My Favorite Apps for Physical Education)
- One of my favorite things to do is End of the Year Surveys with Students
- Side-note: I also got Teacher of the Year at my school this year (whoo hoo)
- I wrote a grant through Donors Choose that finally got funded on the 3rd submission for 2 iPad Mini’s – this was a big deal because it allowed me to start learning how to use a ton of different Apps in my Physical Education Program (I even published an E-course about my favorites last year called My Favorite Apps for Physical Education)
- 2016
- I submitted a proposal to my admin to get a wireless mic. After getting it approved and doing a bit of research we went with a SHURE mic setup, which plugs right into my stereo and I use it everyday, it’s pretty amazing the difference in my energy levels after a day of teaching when I use it versus not using it. (PS these rechargeable batteries are great if you end up getting the mic)
- 2017
- This was the year that all my dreams came true 🙂 … On my 3rd attempt at submitting to our PTO to purchase some more climbing equipment with our yearly fundraiser money it finally got accepted. We got another Rock Climbing Wall + Monkey Bars + Cargo Net (Also from Everlast Climbing) … (this was something I had submitted to the PTO 2 times previously and gotten turned down – 3rd times was a charm.
- For those interested in the details I have 2 separate rock climbing walls (24 x 8 ft wall + 20 x 8 ft wall) We also have the Monkey Bars / Pull Up Bar / Cargo Net setup up separate from the rock wall (as you saw in the video above) so we can use them all at the same time in a station format.
So… that’s it – overnight success in 11 years 🙂
Here’s a quick glimpse of my gym from 2009 that I found when organizing some hard drives during the 2020 COVID 19 Pandemic (Hence the Quarantine Stache)
SO just to recap, it took a ton of time to get most of the stuff you see in my gym, the teacher before me did have a bunch of gymnastics equipment which was super nice, but everything else I got bit by bit.
Each year I either made a big ask to my admin, wrote a grant or both. This allowed me to slowly get the extra things that I have in my gym, it’s been a long process, but it’s worth it. Over the past 11 years I feel that I’ve really been able to grow my PE Program and start to gain some amazing tools that lead to some great instruction and student learning.
P.S. Here are some tips for PE Equipment on a budget:
It’s Not Just the STUFF
This concept doesn’t just apply to the physical stuff that you want, but the knowledge and experience that you have as a teacher to develop great units of instruction, to start to understand vertical alignment, build relationships with your students and their families and really build a quality program.
It just takes a long time…
The longer you know your students, the more you’ll understand about what they know and have been taught in the past, the more you’ll be able to shape their entire Phys Ed Experience at your school and develop an amazing CULTURE that you’re really proud of.
What should you do next?
- Put your vision on paper
- Prioritize the changes you want to see happen
- Start with the first thing on the list
- Remember that if it doesn’t come back to what’s best for students, it won’t happen
Change is good…
Be open to it and pursue it…
It’s the only way to grow and learn and improve…
But be patient because sometimes it takes FOREVER
Last Thing… Enjoy the Ride
Whatever it is that your pursuing and trying to change… remember patience is a virtue and try to enjoy the ride and have a good perspective about the process because the more positive your mindset the more likely you will actually achieve the change you wish to see…
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
– John Wooden
Charlie Kitchen says
Ben,Hi. Do you have to write a professional growth plan at your school for physical education. We are just doing a new growth plan implemented by the state of Ohio. Im not sure that the people require this type thing understand that it is difficult to show a big improvement in the short time that we have the students. Im sure you are the same as me. I see each class or kid once a week. I have K-5 as I think you do, Just wanted to see what your input might be.
Marcus says
Hey Charlie,
In South Carolina we have what’s called an Student Learning Objective (SLO) for our professional growth plan.
Check out the message below from Ben on how we do our SLO:
I’ve done lots of things in the past for my SLO, but after a few rounds of frustration and finding it hard to prove improvement with skills since I see my kids only 1 time a week – I’ve landed on doing a cognitive test on the components of fitness – it’s way easier to measure improvement, it doesn’t take a ton of time to finish and it’s something that I can come back to and bring back up in many different units.
I use a super simple quiz that I do with my 5th graders.
You can see the test by clicking the link below and making a copy on your Google Drive Account
5 Components of Fitness Test/Quiz
If you want some more ideas, you could pick any of the Grade Level Outcomes from the Shape America GLO Document to assess for your SLO.
Hope that helps!
Kendal Bauman says
So this is my 2nd year teaching full time elementary PE. I moved from Middle and High teaching of 16 years and have LOVED the change. Boy new challenges though. What you and Marcus talked about in the Gartners podcast was a gamechanger. Things are going so much smoother this year. I appreciate this post especially about the crockpot vs microwave. My challenges are different in that I have no gym or inside space. I have great access to outdoor grass space and one tennis court for hard surface. Luckily I am in VA so the winters are not too bad. But my motto has become “There is no such thing as bad weather just bad gear”. So I have used a lot of your ideas and the challenge is to modify to outside like posting things on the wall, or stations with cards on wall (solved that one with using floor tiles that are heavy and putting my cards on them), wind can be hard for using gatorskin balls or when rain rolls in. But my school is committed to being outside as much as we can and so if kids are muddy when they go home parents are okay with it. Last week it poured during the day and we have a stream that goes through our playspace. We went for a walk in raincoats and rubber boots and then students played in the stream. Some did submarine diving underneath the water. They all bring a change of clothes for after PE. HUGE GRINS on their faces and told me “This was the best PE class EVER” Hummm not sure I could have lesson planned this one. So I continue to keep your words in mind. I am still building my culture and it will take 4 more years til all the students will have had just me. As you always say “Have fun and teach on” You and Marcus are an inspiration to me.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Kendal,
Thank you for those KIND words! That why we do what we do to help teachers be their best! You have the right mindset and approach! Your students will love the way you approach their successes!
We hope you continue to find the content worth it!
Thanks again Kendall!
Ben Landers says
I love that you’re school is accepting of you taking kids outside in the rain, that sounds like so much fun for the students, it brought back some childhood memories for me just reading through the comment – glad the resources have been helpful and keep up the great work with students!
Mary Beth says
Hi Ben
I appreciate your words of encouragement during this time but I have been disappointed in your post. Last year before Covid you were my go to person for teaching ideas. Unfortunately, since Covid I feel you have offered very little with ideas/suggestions for activities that allow for social distancing, non-sharing of equipment and creative activities besides fitness/exercise activities that lose kids interest in a very short time. I was planning on becoming a paid member this year but after watching your lack of ideas and activities during Covid I have lost interest. Your review of old post are just that “old”. I have talked with other colleagues who have expressed similar feelings…?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Mary Beth,
Sorry for your disappointment in our content. I know Ben works extremely hard to provide content for everyone during this difficult time.
We have a post on the blog where Ben shares some of his ideas:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/teaching-during-covid-social-distancing-and-virtual-pe-lesson-ideas/
He also shared some ideas back in March for At Home Physical Activities:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/peathome/
He also has a post where he shares some of his favorite Technology Tools he uses. Which teachers can use to plan, teach, and assess:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/teachertechtools/
We also have a podcast where we share ideas about the current situation we all are in:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/podcast/teaching-during-a-pandemic/
I encourage you to check out the resources, I will pass your message along to Ben. Thank you for reaching out!
Calli Thomas says
Thank you so much for all you do! This post was moving, super helpful, and very inspiring! Blessings and health to you! Calli
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Calli,
Thanks for the kind words! Glad we were able to provide some advice to grow your program. Patience is important.
Charlene Baker says
Thanks, for sharing these tips! I am finishing up my practicum for Yukon Native Teacher Training. I look forward to all your posts. It will help me to develop the tools I need to go forward in my first job in teaching.
Ben Landers says
Glad to hear that! Good luck finding a job!
Marcia Klett says
What a great article! I wish I had thought of keeping a timeline such as this. I still might try to do it … but I’m in my 38th year of teaching PE (36 at the same school), and remembering everything might prove to be a challenge! However, I completely agree with you. Change takes not only time, but also persistence, planning and goal-setting. I’m moving in the same direction regarding technology. Every year provides an opportunity to build on what I have, but I’m not “there” yet. My goal is to have in place the program / equipment that a new teacher would LOVE to step into if/when I ever retire. Thanks for all that you share. I still love my job and learn so much from fellow teachers like you. (I also follow the PE Geek!) God’s blessings to you.
Ben Landers says
38 Years! That’s an awesome legacy, whoever takes your spot will have big shoes to fill.
Trena Close says
And then you get transferred, and have to start again!
Ben Landers says
Nooooooooooo! That is crushing
Donna Ewald says
Nice work! I did something similar with my program but centered it around outdoor winter activities. First I got snowshoed. Then cross country skis and boots and poles. Got connected to a local ski area for down hill and cross country for ski trips. I keep it going and do mountain day for our final outdoor adventure.
Ben Landers says
Wow, just got really jealous! haha, I don’t know if I would like the constant cold (which is why I love the south), but those winter activities sound awesome! So cool that your kids will get those experiences!
Cindy says
Just wanted to stop and say THANKS! for taking the time out of your own day to make videos, write blogs and share the resources you’ve created. I’ve been teaching for a few years now but this is my first year teaching PE. I’m loving my new position but to say I felt prepared would be a big understatement. In the last few weeks I’ve gained so much knowledge and so many ideas from your posts, emails and website. I’ve been able to immediately apply these ideas to my own teaching practice and I feel that it’s making my “fake it ‘til you make it” act a little more believable! From a very appreciative Aussie teacher – THANK YOU! ????
Ben Landers says
Haha – Hey Cindy, everybody does a little “Fake it til you make it” at the beginning!
Glad the site has been helpful and hope your first year goes really well!
Anderson says
Inspiring stuff, as a recently retired PE teacher, north of the border, great to see kids in such good hands. Keep on truckin’
Ben Landers says
🙂 Thanks
Sarah Cummings says
Wow! Thanks for sharing this inspirational journey of yours! It really takes time for everything. We just have to be patient. Great post! 🙂
Ben Landers says
🙂 Appreciate you checking it out!
Heath Hargan says
Loved the end when mini pespecialist popped up. Love bringing my little boy to the gym and watching him run around after hours. Thanks for all you do for our profession!
Ben Landers says
🙂 This is my first year getting to do that and totally agree – it’s been great