Physical Education Teacher Pursues Excellence In Education
Terry Piper is an elementary physical education teacher at Palma Ceia Elementary School and Site Director for Bay Area Physical Education-Health Project, Hayward, CA. As a physical education teacher, Piper designs and delivers standard- based instruction to students grades 1st through 6th, so they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to become healthy active individuals now and throughout their lives. As a site director for the California Physical Education-Health Project, Piper is responsible for developing professional development opportunities for Bay Area teachers to better prepare them in their practice as physical educators and health educators. Both roles are important and impact California students, who are entitled to receive high quality instruction that leads to positive healthy behaviors.
Piper is currently completing a master's degree in educational administration at Grand Canyon University, to be completed December 2015. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from San Jose State University.
What are the scope and responsibilities of your current role?
"My current role as an educator is to be as informed as I can be about best practices in order to impact the lives of my students in a positive enriching way, so that their knowledge and skills improve. Each day, I teach 5 to 6 fifty-minute elementary school physical education classes. Each year, in my role as site director, I work with teachers for 40 hours over 8 days to increase their content and pedagogical knowledge, which allows them to positively impact the education of their students."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"Each day, I enjoy delivering lessons after hours of preparation. It is exciting and fulfilling to see a lesson come to life in students, whether it is the elementary students or the adult learners. When learning occurs, it is rewarding."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"My formal education has prepared me for both of my current roles. Further, my learning has been ongoing, job embedded and focused on the pursuit of excellence in education."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"Yes, absolutely! Always seek out both new learning and support. I've found building a professional network to be invaluable."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of cities, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
