What I Hear:
As an itinerant Adapted PE teacher, I travel to 20 schools interacting with 30+ PE teachers. In the conversations that follow I consistently hear frustration about a variety of items ranging from a lack of equipment to scheduling that is not aligned with student needs. While unacceptable these issues are all solvable. However, I find PE teachers are not having conversations with school leadership – the very ones who can direct time, energy, and resources to address the issue. Therefore, I have being working on a “playbook” for productive conversations with administration to aide PE teachers in their advocacy.
Pre-Game
Before contacting school administration get ready.
- Curate a solutions-oriented mindset.
Example: Find a place to park your complaints, they won’t be of help.
- Define the need for students.
Example: “To foster an environment in which all students can learn each adult in the gymnasium needs to fully engage in the tasks provided.”
Lock-In
Schedule a meeting when admiration can fully focus on your ask, so no lunch or hallway meetings:
- Send a request for a meeting.
Example: “I’d like to schedule a meeting about PE programming during the week of the 25th for 15 minutes. I am available Mon.-Thur. after school until 4:00pm.”
- Follow-up with a confirmation note.
Example: “I am looking forward to our discussion about PE programming on Wednesday the 27th from 3:30-3:45pm.
- Do your homework: have data, best practices, or articles that support the ask.
Example: Organize data that shows students with aids are not progressing at rates comparable to their peers.
Game Day
It’s time to sit down with administration, remember – they want the school to have a thriving PE program, they just might not always show it.
- Start with a highlight of the year.
Example: “I wanted to show you these pictures of Ms. A. working with Branden. He has shown significant growth as having an aid who engages in all activities with him has been a game changer!”
- Share your homework and have a clear ask.
Example: “Class data shows that students with aides are not progressing at rates comparable to their peers therefore I’d like support in having clear expectations for what aids are expected to do in PE and a structure for what to do when those expectations are not met.”
- Describe how the ask will support the need.
Example: “When aids are fully engaged with students in PE, I can provide more differentiation and support with assessments so that all students can learn and see their growth.”
Don’t Stop in the Red Zone
You are on the cusp of having a productive conversation don’t fumble now!
- Offer to help work through concerns raised.
Example: “If it is of help, I can draft a one-pager describing expectations in PE for aids.”
- Ask for a next step to move towards implementation.
Example: “If I share a one-pager describing expectations with you within two weeks can we then have a follow up meeting to discuss implementation the week of the 8th?”
Could this Be the Best Time?
The spirits of school leaders are currently high amongst end of year celebrations. Soon they will turn attention to drafting budgets, making schedules, and evaluating staff training needs. Thus, this moment may be the time when administrators are most receptive to, and able to act on asks generated from a productive conversation.
You might be surprised how a well-timed chat with thoughtful points and a solutions-based approach can plant seeds that will eventually bear fruit for your PE programming. Good Luck.
This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including Brad Hunter, the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com
Pair this blog post with the following:
Advocate like a Physical Education Teacher by Lisa Paulson
But It’s Just a Roll of Blue Painter’s Tape by Brad Hunter
5 Ways You Can Bring Health Literacy Month to Life by Adam Mullis
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