Abstract:

This qualitative narrative study examines and documents the four-year evolution and progress of an innovative and unique program of PETE, at two Canadian university sites. Each group of PSTs was obtaining a Bachelor of Education over a two-year period at universities in Ontario, Canada and Nova Scotia, Canada. With partnership and mentorship through our national association, (Physical Health Education Canada), the Physical Health Education Canada Student Chapters evolved, with PSTs taking on executive roles in groups of 5-8 student leaders. Overall, the experience provided additional real-world training for PSTs, as they designed and led PE-related professional development opportunities offered to hundreds of generalist and specialist PSTs.

From the inception, these student chapters provided unique opportunities for pre-service teachers (PSTs) in physical education teacher education that went above and beyond their degree requirements. In sum, these were additional learning opportunities that placed PSTs in positions of leadership, where they developed essential 21C skills such as problem solving, creativity, negotiation, professionalism, communication, budgeting and advocacy. In addition, these chapters each had mission statements uniquely designed to meet their local university community needs, and that allowed them to organize, implement and evaluate effective physical education professional development opportunities for their peers.

Through dialogue and story-telling methodologies, (Connelly and Clandinin, 2000), the authors categorize the main constructs of practical and professional learning as expressed by the PSTs through their experiences as student leaders. Confidence and Competence are two of the consistent constructs that emerged through the data, including some of the executives deciding to pursue graduate studies following the completion of their B.Ed. degrees. The authors conclude that after four years there is ample evidence to support the idea that the student chapters provide a new avenue for producing high quality physical educators.

Keywords:

Physical education, Teacher education, Student Leadership.