How to Become a Physical Education Teacher in Texas

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If you feel you have what it takes to become a PE teacher in Texas, complete the following steps:

	Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and Complete an Educator Preparation Program
	Take the Necessary Texas Examinations
	Apply for a Probationary Certificate (if applicable)
	Apply for a Standard Teaching Certificate
	Renew your Standard Certificate

The Texas State Board of Education is an elected 15-member board that, along with the Commissioner of Education, oversees the public educations system in Texas, which includes physical education standards.

Specifically, the State Board of Education oversees the implementation of Coordinated School Health Programs for kindergarten through grade 8. These programs include a standard course of physical education, which includes:

• Scheduled recess or opportunities for structured play
• Specific time devoted to physical activity
• Student enrollment in physical education courses beyond the graduation requirements
• Fitness program results

Becoming certified to teach physical education in Texas involves meeting specific standards, which involve:

• Engaging in collaboration with parents, colleagues, and agencies to support students’ growth and well-being
• Demonstrating competency in a variety of movement skills, which help students develop these skills
• Providing equitable and appropriate instruction for all students in a diverse society
• Understanding and utilizing formal and informal assessments to promote students’ emotional, social, and cognitive development in physical education contexts
• Understanding principles and benefits of a healthy, physically active lifestyle and motivating students to participate in activities that promote this lifestyle
• Utilizing effective and developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and communication techniques to prepare physically educated individuals
• Utilizing knowledge of how students learn and develop as to provide opportunities that support their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
• Utilizing knowledge of individual and group motivation and behavior as to create and manage a safe and productive learning environment while promoting students’ self-management, self-motivation, and social skills through participation in physical activities
• Understanding the legal issues and responsibilities of physical education teachers in relation to supervision, planning and instruction, safety, first aid, and risk management

Step 1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and Complete an Educator Preparation Program

All candidates for physical education teacher jobs in Texas must earn a bachelor’s degree from a school that has received accreditation from a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

An important component of a Texas educator’s job is the completion of an Approved Educator Preparation Program.

An educator preparation program may be part of a University-Based program, which is offered by:

• Colleges and universities as part of an undergraduate degree program.

• A post-baccalaureate program, which is designed for individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree program.

• Alternative Certification Programs (ACP), which are offered by education service centers, school districts, and colleges and universities and designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees. ACPs in Texas offer intensive classroom training, usually over the course of a year. Many participants of ACP programs are able, through supervision and mentoring, to teach as a paid intern (see Step 3).