Why did you choose HPE at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College?
I chose Health and Physical Education because I wanted an active job where I got to work with and teach young people about exercise and being healthy. Teaching a combination of both Health and Physical Education has been nice to keep my schedule varied and get to talk about more subjects which I enjoy.
How did your HPE degree at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ prepare you for this career?
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ prepared me for my career by giving me many meaningful field experiences in addition to my student teaching professional semester. The major taught worthwhile pedagogical skills and the field experience helped me apply them.
Advice for current HPET students?
Teaching in general, but especially Health and Physical Education is a competitive field currently. Students need to be focused and committed to building the best resume possible. However, even the best resume will not get you a job. You also need to be able to discuss relevant topics in your field and in related fields. In order to do this you don't just need knowledge, you also need the application of that knowledge through experiences and real-world scenarios.
How did you get your current job?
I graduated from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and immediately began applying to jobs in my major of Health and Physical Education. I became aware of a job opening at Harrisburg High School's SciTech Campus and interviewed for the position. At the time I knew little about SciTech, but I soon discovered it was everything I wanted in a teaching job. It had motivated students who were focused on academic achievement, small class sizes, teaching a combination of both health and physical education, and block scheduling with semester long classes. I happily accepted the job when it was offered.
What does your typical workday look like?
I come to school in the morning and prepare to teach my health classes. I teach two blocks of health back-to-back. The physical education class typically goes to a fitness center / weight room in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg since the school does not have a gymnasium. This is perfect for me because I enjoy teaching fitness more than traditional P.E. where sports are the focus. About once per week, my fitness class will do classroom knowledge lessons in my health room covering various topics in nutrition or strength and conditioning.