PE Teacher Certification in Louisiana

<p>Aspiring PE teachers in Louisiana can earn a bachelor's degree through a physical education or kinesiology program, which will include the student teaching experience required for certification. A few Praxis exams are also required before you can begin teaching PE courses in a Louisiana school. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Bachelor's degree in physical education or kinesiology; teacher education program</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Requirements </td><td>Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators; Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching; Praxis Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Validity Period</td><td> Three years for initial teaching certificate</td></tr> <tr><td>Advancement Requirements </td><td>Successful performance evaluations during the first three years in a full-time teaching position</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Louisiana Salary (2018)*</td><td>$50,540 for all kindergarten teachers<br /> $48,740 for all elementary school teachers<br /> $49,960 for all middle school teachers<br /> $51,810 for all high school teachers</td></tr> <tr><td>Nationwide Job Growth (2016-2026)*</td><td>8% for kindergarten, middle school, and high school teachers<br /> 7% for all elementary school teachers</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---PETeacherJobDescription">PE Teacher Job Description</h3> <p>PE teachers help keep students active and healthy with physical activities that could include team-based games and individual exercises designed to maintain standards of health and fitness throughout the school year. </p> <p>They might also motivate their students to push through obstacles and adapt new games and activities to keep students interested in physical education. PE teachers see many different grade levels, depending on how many are contained within the same building and, like other teachers, are responsible for maintaining order and discipline in their classrooms. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>If you plan to become a PE teacher in Louisiana, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Available programs include a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in health and PE. Both degree options combine practical classroom studies with a student teaching experience, giving you insight into how a teacher's daily routine plays out during the school year. You'll examine topics that include exercise physiology, biomechanics, conceptual physics, and educational psychology. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>Like other Louisiana educators, you'll have to meet Praxis exam requirements before you can teach on your own. Unless you have high enough scores on the ACT or SAT, you'll need to start by passing the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam, which includes three subtests in reading, mathematics, and writing. You have the option of taking all three tests at once or separating them into multiple appointments. </p> <p>As a PE teacher, you'll also need a passing score on the Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge exam. Finally, you'll need to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching exam(s) that cover the grades you'll be instructing. This exam can cover grades K-6, 5-9, or 7-12. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificationRequirementsRenewal">Certification Requirements/Renewal</h3> <p>You'll become a certified Louisiana PE teacher after finishing your bachelor's degree program and passing all of your necessary Praxis exams. This entry-level certification lasts for three years. If you receive successful performance evaluations during each of these three years, you can advance to a Level 2 certificate.</p>