Why PE is Important: Necessary Information for PE Advocates

Webinar Preview:

Physical education positively impacts students’ lives and works towards educating the whole child. Yet, budget cuts impede on physical education programs. Educators need to stand up for its effectiveness and importance. Joe McCarthy advocates for physical education, and shares how you can too.

1. First impressions count

McCarthy uses a white board and a bulletin board to welcome people into his gym, representing what his class is all about! It’s also important to energize the inside of your gym with posters. These can be students’ creations, showing what they do in physical education.

2. Our minds and bodies are connected

Physical activity has been proven to help our brains learn. After being active, the blood flow in our brain doubles. This improves students’ memory, reading comprehension, and self-control

3. Collect data

Collecting data can help you prove that your program is effective! McCarthy introduced Lit PE to his school, helping students test scores and grades improve in academic lessons. Students involved met for 15 minutes before school and practiced grammar, language topics, and more core academics while being active. This was very successful for his students! He also implemented a running club, exciting students to be physically active and live healthier lives.

McCarthy reminds us to be proactive, not reactive. Start promoting you physical education program now through social media, articles in your town’s newspaper, presenting at conferences, and invite school board members and faculty into your class!

You can watch the full Webinar Why PE is Important: Necessary Information for PE Advocates on our website!

Webinar Presenter: Joe McCarthy is a physical education teacher at Meadowview Elementary School in Farmington, MN. He serves as a board member for MN SHAPE, MN Healthy Kids Coalition, and is on the SHAPE America Central District Leadership Council. In 2012, McCarthy was named the American Heart Association Regional Winner and Active Schools Acceleration Project Midwest Regional Winner.