Interviewing for a physical education (PE) teaching position can feel like an overwhelming task. You not only have to showcase your subject matter expertise, but also your skills when it comes to engaging students, managing a classroom, and supporting diverse learners.
Luckily, going in armed with knowledge of the most common PE teacher interview questions along with strong sample responses will set you up for success. This comprehensive guide explores the types of questions you’re likely to encounter and provides tips to help you make a winning impression.
Key Areas PE Teacher Interviews Focus On
While every interview will be unique, most will touch on the following general topics:
- Your teaching philosophy and approach to PE
- How you’d structure PE lessons and unit plans
- Assessing student progress and physical fitness
- Classroom management strategies
- Inclusion of students with special needs
- Use of technology
- Collaboration with other teachers and staff
- Keeping students motivated and engaged
Thinking through examples and anecdotes that highlight your skills in each of these areas will serve you well. We’ll now dive into specific questions and advice for crafting impressed responses.
Common Physical Education Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Let’s explore examples of popular PE teacher interview questions along with suggestions for formulating well-rounded answers
Why are you passionate about physical education?
This open-ended question allows you to share what draws you to PE teaching and the value you see in this subject area. Focus on your sincere enthusiasm for keeping kids active, teaching life skills through sports, and supporting their developmental needs.
Sample Answer: Ever since I was an athlete in school, I’ve felt strongly about the benefits of physical activity for students’ health and wellbeing. PE provides such a vital outlet for them to build confidence, learn teamwork and sportsmanship, and embrace physical fitness as a lifelong priority. I love devising creative games and activities to keep students engaged. My passion stems from wanting to instill the same joy in movement that PE gave me growing up.
How would you structure a typical PE lesson?
Interviewers want insight into your lesson planning process. Share how you balance activity with meaningful instruction and reflection.
Sample Answer: I structure lessons around a 5-part format: warm-up, introduction of skills, practice, culminating activity, and closure. The warm-up gets students energized and prevents injury. Next I introduce new content like proper technique for a sport skill or game rules. The bulk of the lesson involves practice and small-sided games to hone skills. I bring everything together in a final group activity that reinforces the objectives. Then I close with a quick recap and check for understanding. This structured approach keeps students focused while allowing time for vigorous activity.
How do you assess student learning and progress in PE?
Demonstrate your grasp of assessment strategies beyond physical fitness testing. Share diverse methods you’ve used successfully.
Sample Answer: While fitness tests are one useful data point, I incorporate a diverse range of assessments. I use rubrics for skills that outline expectations. Self and peer assessments encourage metacognition. Game strategy projects and exit tickets provide performance-based data. I gather observational notes during class. Video review and feedback further informs assessment when feasible. These varied techniques provide a comprehensive picture of each student’s development across motor skills, cognitive learning, and personal growth.
How would you promote inclusion in your PE program?
Emphasize your commitment to adapting instruction and activities to meet all students’ needs. Share specific accommodation strategies.
Sample Answer: Inclusion would be a cornerstone of my program. I’m a firm believer every student can benefit from PE when given the proper modifications and support. I would collaborate closely with our special education staff to make appropriate accommodations, whether it’s adapting equipment, rules or team configurations. My lessons would incorporate principles of universal design to ensure accessibility. Social inclusion would be fostered by teaching students to support diverse abilities. With intentional planning and culture building, I can make PE rewarding for students of all abilities.
How do you handle discipline problems that may arise during PE?
Be ready to share your classroom management philosophy. Discuss strategies for establishing clear expectations, rewarding positive behavior, de-escalating issues, and enforcing consequences.
Sample Answer I take a proactive approach to behavior issues by setting consistent standards from day one. Students help establish expected norms and take ownership through compromise and accountability. I reinforce good behavior with frequent praise. For minor issues I pull students aside for quick redirection. For ongoing problems, I reach out to parents and implement consequences like loss of privileges. Ultimately fostering a positive and engaging environment prevents many problems. But when they do arise, I aim for disciplinary actions that educate rather than just punish.
What strategies do you use to keep students motivated in PE?
Share creative ideas that work for you in stimulating student enthusiasm and participation. Tie these to your knowledge of child development.
Sample Answer: I leverage strategies aligned to students’ developmental levels to foster intrinsic motivation. For younger students, incentive charts, silly warm-ups and imaginative settings like pretended planets make PE fun. For tweens, choice of activities and leadership roles tap into their need for autonomy. Teenagers respond well to peer collaboration and friendly competition. Across ages, using enthusiastic encouragement and focused feedback promotes growth mindsets. My priority is crafting experiences where students are self-driven to put forth maximum effort.
How do you collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate PE?
Emphasize your team player attitude and share crossover techniques used.
Sample Answer: I recognize the vital role of collaborating with classroom teachers. For example, when they are covering science units on energy or biology, I make ties to concepts of exercise physiology and biomechanics in PE. We also share data on student performance, leveraging each other’s’ insights. Joint initiatives like interactive lesson plans on wellness concepts further bridge connections. I maintain ongoing communication to reinforce PE as a complement to academic studies rather than a disconnect. My goal is conveying the value of my subject while also boosting other disciplines.
How do you use technology as part of PE instruction?
While not essential, comfort with technology is becoming more desirable. Discuss possibilities for tech integration in your program.
Sample Answer: I embrace technology to enrich – not replace – the PE experience. For example, I use video analysis tools to provide instant replay feedback that helps refine skills and technique. Activity trackers allow self-monitoring of health data. Apps support goal-setting and motivation. Music playlists liven the gym atmosphere. For assessment, programs like Google Classroom streamline collecting student work samples digitally. Technology complements the active learning process when applied thoughtfully.
Questions for Aspiring Adaptive PE Teachers
Those seeking a role in adaptive or inclusive PE may get more targeted questions, such as:
How would you modify activities to accommodate students with special needs?
Share examples of adaptations you would make for various types of disabilities. Emphasize your student-first mindset.
Sample Answer: Adjusting activities starts with understanding individuals’ unique needs. For visually impaired students, I would use beeping balls, guided assistance, and tactile modeling. Those with hearing impairment benefit from visual demonstrations and vibrational cues. Students with cognitive limitations may need adjusted rules, additional guidance and frequent reinforcement. Providing student-specific adaptations ensures all can experience the rewards of physical movement and fitness to the best of their abilities.
How do you collaborate with occupational therapists and physical therapists?
Your response should detail seeking their expertise and integrating prescribed therapies into adapted PE instruction.
Sample Answer: I work hand-in-hand with OTs and PTs to translate therapy goals into PE lesson plans. I consult their recommendations for adaptive equipment and activity modifications. Their insights ensure I avoid exercises that may cause injury or undue difficulty. I provide frequent progress updates and feedback to support continuity across our work. This interdisciplinary team approach results in the best possible care and outcomes for students.
Questions About Your Fitness to be a PE Teacher
You may also be asked questions gauging your own fitness expertise, such as:
This job requires high energy levels. How will you fulfill this requirement?
Demonstrate you practice what you preach about activity and exercise. Share specific habits and vision for staying fit as a PE teacher.
Sample Answer: Maintaining my own personal fitness is a professional obligation I take seriously as a PE teacher. I incorporate regular cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training into my lifestyle. As an avid runner and swimmer, I have tremendous stamina. I also strive to eat healthy and minimize stress. Being immersed in active instruction all day further contributes to my energy levels and fitness. I view myself as a role model, exemplifying the active behaviors I teach.
What sports or fitness activities do you enjoy participating in during your free time?
This shows your genuine interest in physical activity beyond just teaching it. Share 1-2 genuine hobbies or sports you’re passionate about.
Sample Answer: I stay active outside of work by competing in local volleyball and ultimate frisbee leagues, hiking, cycling and running 5Ks. These activities not only keep me fit, but give me new ideas for PE programming. I also love taking fitness classes at the YMCA. Overall, practicing what I teach is something I take pride in as an educator.
Sample Interview Questions for Health and Physical Education Teachers
If you want to work as a physical education teacher for grades K–12, you might be asked the following general questions. These were primarily designed for the teacher applying for their first job fresh out of college. We recommend designing and bringing a professional portfolio so you can show samples of your work. Also, it may be helpful to review our interviewing tips as a part of your interview preparation. We have also included questions in health education and adapted PE that you might have to answer.
You as a Teacher:
Tell us a little about yourself. (Your background, why you went into teaching, youre teaching experience, etc.)
Why are you interested in this position?
Do you prefer teaching at the elementary or secondary level?
Right now, what do you do best as a PE teacher? What do you need to work on the most?
What task do you find most difficult as a teacher? Please share with us why?
Collaboration/Being a Team Player:
In addition to the PE position, we will have a ___________ coaching position open. Would you be interested in this?.
Our parents are very active and involved in the education of their children. How will you work towards quality communication and dialogue with the parents?.
How do you plan to resolve any conflicts that may arise with parents?
Our school is focusing on integration throughout the curriculum. How do you see physical education fitting into this?
To help me understand how you and the classroom teachers could work together, could you give me some examples?
Do you have any ideas on how me might promote our PE program in the community?
Student Learning/Assessment:
Many of our teachers and parents dont think learning occurs in PE. Convince us that this happens and how you can demonstrate that learning will occur in your PE class?.
How do you plan to assess your students progress and your teaching in physical education?
There is a big push in our school district to significantly raise our physical fitness test scores. How would you go about doing this?.
Inclusion:
What do you think about letting people with disabilities into your classes? Are you okay with it? Have you done this before?
Technology:
Have you used technology in your physical education class before? If so, could you describe it more? How do you feel about it?
As a PE teacher, do you think having access to the Internet would help you in any way? Give specific examples of how you would use the Internet to improve your own skills and with your students.
It’s required by our state that we use technology in our lessons. How can this be done in PE?
How do you deal with behavior problems? What are your strategies for running the classroom? What do you do to keep behavior problems to a minimum?
What do you expect to be doing 1 and 5 years from now?
Could you tell me more about some of the new reform documents that are being used to guide physical education? These include the Surgeon General’s Report, Healthy People 2000, the National Standards for Physical Education, the NASPE PE Outcomes Project, and others. ).
Which professional organizations do you belong to? Which professional journals do you read? When was the last professional conference you went to?
As a result, our school district is shifting from the more traditional way of teaching PE to the New PE method, which focuses on building skills more. We would like to put together a promotional package that would explain this new PE approach. What are some of the things you would put in that package?.
We just received this email. How would you respond?
Physical Education Teacher Interview Questions & Answers
FAQ
How do you ace a PE teacher interview?
Why should we hire you as a PE teacher?
What questions do physical education teachers ask?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various physical education teacher interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What made you choose to pursue a career in physical education?
What is a physical education teacher interview question?
This question allows the interviewer to gauge the Physical Education Teacher’s understanding of the importance of physical education and their ability to communicate that importance to students. It is important for students to learn the importance of physical activity and how it can impact their overall health and well-being.
How do you answer a physical education interview question?
This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy on physical education and how you plan to teach students. It’s important to show that you value the importance of physical education in a student’s life, especially if you’re applying for a position at a school with limited resources.
How to prepare for a physical education interview?
7 Physical Education Interview Strategies You Need to Know! 1. Dress for success. It may sound like common sense, but your appearance matters, and too often young professionals over look this simple step. Look your best and save your sneakers, polo, or hoodie for after you get hired. 2. Make it personal.
