The following is the typed script of the interview I completed with Melinda Becker, the La Grande Middle School PE and Health Teacher on 1/22/10.

She holds all of these positions: Middle School PE/ Health Teacher, Head La Grande High School Volleyball Coach, Eastern Oregon VBC Administrator/Coach, and Assistant 8thGrade Girls Basketball Coach. But we mainly discussed and centered on her Middle School PE/Health Teacher position.

1.)    What is your job description and duties?

I mainly develop lessons and implement the activities for seven different classes.  For each sport or activity I try and give the children a lesson on the history, rules and equipment needed, and then we actually play the game or activity.  I also teach an advisory class which is basically a 7th and 8th grade homeroom.  Other parts of my job include locker room and gym supervision, working in cohesion with the other physical education teacher, and assessing and administering PT tests which include written portions along with the typical skill pieces.  By having written portions to a physical education class, I believe it allows all types of learners to have the opportunity to be successful in PE. 

2.)    What are the major satisfactions and rewards of your job?

Without a doubt the best part of being a PE/Health teacher is having the opportunity to work with kids.  I truly enjoy making a difference in a child’s life! I also like to see the differences in how the kids begin in PT testing and where they end up.  It feels great to see so many kids improve, and even break school records.  Also, getting kids who don’t enjoy physical education to enjoy it is another satisfying and rewarding experience. 

3.)    What are the major problems and difficulties in your job?

One of the more difficult pieces of my job is there are many children who to do not like or enjoy PE, and so convincing them that it is important and getting them to the point where they want to participate can be difficult.  Another part of being a PE/ Health teacher which can be difficult is having great classroom management when it comes to big classes.  Having enough equipment and space often comes into play with those bigger classes.  We are blessed to have two gyms and so that makes it easier for me and the other teacher to simply split the classes up. 

4.)    Describe the hiring process you went through for this job.

I actually applied three times before I received this position. Once my resume was accepted, I was interviewed by the other PE teacher, the vice principle of the middle school, a custodian, and a 6th grade teacher.  The interview consisted of a series of questions which took a couple of hours.  Finally once references and a background check were complete I received the position.

5.)    What is your administrative style?

I like to be extremely organized as far as my classes go.  I also make sure the children know expectations up front, and do my best to keep my expectations the same all throughout.  I keep clear rules so that there is no confusion between me and any of my students.  Being a PE/ Health teacher is definitely different from being a classroom teacher.  Transitioning from a preschool teacher to a middle school teacher was a big transition.  I found I had to lighten up, and change certain administrative ideas I had previously used.  In PE it’s important to make it a fun yet structured environment because the students are required to be there.   

6.)    What approach do you take when dealing with parents?

From the beginning of the year I let the parents know I have an open door policy.  I do my best to stay proactive and help the students as much as possible while still keeping with my standards.  If necessary I seek advice from the principle or other teachers if I have questions regarding specific situations.  Often if a child is having issues I call the parents to try and help them bring their grade up or let them know what is going on.  In my advisory class I work with my students to be successful and give them an opportunity to receive good grades.  Overall, my main idea with dealing with parents is having an open door policy so that if any issues arise the parents know they are always welcome to come discuss it with me.  I have also found being extremely proactive has diminished almost all of the potentially negative situations I have come across.   

Overall this was a great experience for me.  I learned some interesting and helpful things about managing a physical education class.