Support Physical Education In Schools

The current focus on obesity in children and teens has society
creating a national focus and governmental efforts to get parents
informed about the physiological, emotional and psychological
dangers of obesity in children and teens which transfers to adulthood.
Prevailing understanding for the increase of obesity is two primary
factors; first, children and teenagers are not eating the right kinds
of foods, second; children and teens are getting less exercise.

Environmental circumstances and the increased infusion of technology
in daily lives contributes to factors as the access to computers;
gaming systems and interactive television with access to more
channels of programming draws more attention from physical activity
outside of the home to a sedentary life style.
The goal should be reinforce the Physical Education
programs in elementary and middle schools nation wide. Millions of
dollars in advertisement, public service announcements, sports stars
talking about being active and getting fit, interactive games that
promote exercise are inundating television, radio and online networks.
President Obama established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity with
a goal to “solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation...”
The First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a campaign against
childhood obesity. Her focus on this issue has drawn national and
international attention. “Let's Move”; a nationwide effort to solve the
obesity epidemic.

There are educated professionals already trained,
educated and motivated on station at schools throughout this country.
If serious consideration is taken into account for addressing obesity
then serious action should be properly funding the physical education
programs at schools. The misconception is that PE is Play Education,
Ignorance creates a false and dangerous prejudgment that those that
teach physical education are not educated professionals. P.E. teachers
are required to take not only educational courses, but courses that
are in the scientific and medical fields.

Physical Educators (men and women) are not just “dumb jocks” as
some people say, even our educational peers in the classroom and some
administrators are at times ignorant to the educational requirements to be a
professional physical educator and the responsibility to educate and empower
children and teens. Physical Educators are required to be certified teachers
and many have certifications in other areas of education especially in leadership.
In this time of educational budget cuts PE is sometimes on the budgetary chopping
block, but local and national school district administrators and legislative
members should understand that not only are the physical needs addressed
in the physical education classes, but the self esteem, self confidence and
personal motivation of children and teens.

We may never know how many students attribute their success in school and
being able to graduate because their PE teacher motivated them to press
forward in the classroom. Through personal observation and involvement
with students that are overweight from either medical conditions
(thyroid, diabetes, etc), the taking of medications and genetic factors play
some part in the development of obesity in children and teens. Obese children
are teased, bullied and made to feel inferior physical educators turn these feeling
around to motivate students to work to improve their physical conditions for a life time.
PE teachers are an important role in schools by encouraging students, motivating
them to be concerned and aware of their physical nature, benefits of healthy eating
habits, health hazards to improper eating, the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The importance of a good diet and exercise not just through sports, but life long
physical exercise and even addressing sex in health education classes. PE teachers
encouraged, motivated and even made students exercise for their benefit. PE teachers
are often the first person that children and teens talk to about sex, drugs, and alcohol
before they talk to their parents. There is a trust and connection between students
and their PE teacher. Students feel they will not be judged, teased or put down,
because of emotional changes and the physical changes of puberty. Sometime
parents reaction and denial of their child’s maturity and growth can dissuade open
dialogue and cause their child or teen to fear talking to them. Many PE teachers
fill that gap and guide students in the right direction to guidance professionals and
open dialogue between parents, children and teens.

American’s spend billions of dollars on personal exercise equipment, personal trainers,
motivational exercise programs, spa memberships, etc, but there are professionals
already available for our children and teens in schools. These billions need to be put
in the Physical Education programs that are struggling now to address obesity in children
and have been for years before this current and urgent governmental focus.

The obvious is simple use the resources that are available, the trained professionals
that should be supported more, respected more, funded more that already have a
direct impact on children and teens. Why create more programs that only rely on
temporary budgets or nonexistent funds when support needs to go to professional
educators that are currently in place and making a difference in our schools.

William Jackson, M.Edu.
Physical Education Professional
DCPS Jacksonville, Florida