Becoming a Physical Education Teacher in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide
Florida, with its extensive school system comprising over 4,000 public schools and nearly 3 million students, places a significant emphasis on physical education. Each school district in Florida is responsible for developing a physical education program that stresses active lifestyles and physical fitness. If you aspire to shape young minds and bodies as a physical education (PE) teacher in the Sunshine State, here's a detailed roadmap outlining the necessary steps and requirements.
Understanding Florida's Physical Education Standards
More than a decade ago, the Florida Department of Education initiated revisions to its Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Physical Education, which outlines the content standards of a comprehensive physical education program. The Florida Department of Education defines physical education as physical activities of at least a moderate intensity level and for a duration long enough to provide significant health benefits. Each of Florida’s school district boards must also ensure that students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive at least 150 minutes of physical education each week. Students in grades 6 through 8 are required to have at least one class period per day of physical education for at least one semester each year.
Step 1: Complete a State-Approved Initial Teacher Preparation Program
The cornerstone of becoming a certified PE teacher in Florida is the successful completion of a state-approved initial teacher preparation program. This typically involves:
- Earning a Bachelor's Degree: This degree must be from an accredited institution and should ideally be in physical education or a closely related field.
- Ten-Week Field Experience: A minimum of ten weeks of practical experience in a K-12 classroom setting is mandatory. This hands-on experience allows aspiring teachers to apply their knowledge and hone their skills under the guidance of experienced educators.
Currently, there are 36 colleges and universities within Florida that have State-approved initial teacher preparation programs. To qualify for certification, you must also possess a 2.5 GPA in all courses related to the physical education field of study.
Some of the courses typically found within a Florida approved physical education preparation program include:
Read also: What makes a quality PE curriculum?
- Administration of Physical Education
- Theory and Practice in Coaching
- Adaptive Physical Education/Physical Education for Exceptional Students
- Kinesiology
- Motor Development
- Applied Exercise Physiology
- Care and Prevention of Human Injuries
Step 2: Pass the Required State Certification Examinations
Aspiring PE teachers in Florida must demonstrate their competency by passing two crucial examinations before applying for certification:
- Florida General Knowledge Test (GK): This test assesses fundamental skills in core academic areas.
- Subject Area Knowledge Examination in Physical Education: This examination evaluates your understanding of physical education principles, practices, and curriculum.
Florida General Knowledge Test (GK)
The Florida General Knowledge test (GK) is a test of basic skills. It includes the following subtests:
- Essay subtest
- English Language Skills subtest - 40 multiple-choice questions
- Reading subtest - 40 multiple-choice questions
- Mathematics subtest - 45 multiple-choice questions
Each test has its own time limit:
- Essay subtest: 50 minutes
- ELS subtest: 40 minutes
- Reading subtest: 40 minutes
- Mathematics subtest: 1 hour and 40 minutes
You may take the GK tests by appointment, year-round. You must receive a scaled score of at least 200 per subset to pass the GK test. You can view test preparation materials for the GK tests here.
Subject Area Knowledge Examination: Physical Education
The Subject Area Knowledge Examination in physical education assesses your knowledge of:
Read also: Understanding PE Content
- Appropriate safety considerations, terminology, strategies, and rules
- Cognitive, social, and emotional development through physical education and physical activity
- Appropriate physical education movement skills and concepts
- Appropriate physical education strategies
- Human growth and development and motor learning as they relate to physical education
- Laws, liabilities, and legislation that pertain to physical education
- Lifetime health, wellness, and physical fitness
- Professional ethics, advocacy, and development
- Strategies that promote an effective learning environment
- The appropriate use of technology as related to physical education
- The history and philosophy of the physical education profession
- The standards-based physical education curriculum development
- Various types of assessment strategies that can be used to determine student levels and needs in physical education
The Subject Area Knowledge Examination is a computer-based test that includes about 120 multiple-choice questions. You will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete this physical education examination, and you must receive a scaled score of at least 200 to pass. The cost to take the exam is $200, which must be paid for online through Pearson.
Step 3: Apply for a Florida Educator’s Certificate
Once you've conquered the certification examinations, you're ready to apply for your Florida Educator's Certificate. This involves:
- Completing the CG-10 Application Form: This form gathers essential information about your qualifications and background.
- Submitting the Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $75 is required, payable online.
- Sending Official Transcripts: Original transcripts from your degree-granting institution must be mailed directly to the Florida Department of Education.
Send in your official transcripts (not copies) to:
Florida Department of EducationBureau of Educator CertificationTurlington Building, Rm 201325 West Gaines StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399
Once your application for certification has been approved, the Florida Department of Education will send you an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility. Your certificate is then issued after you get your fingerprints taken.
Read also: The Importance of Seeding
Step 4: Keep Your Florida PE Teaching Certificate Current
Your initial Florida PE teaching certificate is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you must complete six semester hours of college credit (with a grade of C or better) during each renewal period. Fortunately, numerous professional development opportunities are available to help you meet this requirement.
Professional development opportunities through Educator Preparation Institutes include:
- Workshops and conferences
- Regional training sessions
- iCPALMS Champions
- Custom webinars
- Online tutorials
You can also find a number of professional development and networking opportunities through PE Central or the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport.
To complete your certification renewal, you must request a district application from your district office and submit the completed application to your employing school district.
Just a few of the professional development seminars/courses for Florida physical education teachers that are available through the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport include:
- SPARK NEW’s for Middle and High School Physical Educators
- Cooperative Learning Activities Using Kagan and other Strategies
- Integration of the Common Core State Standards into Physical Education and Health Education
- Integration of the Common Core State Standards into Elementary Physical Education and Health
- Integrating Music, Moving, and Academics for Elementary Programs
Step 5: Understanding PE Teacher Salaries in Florida
Salaries for PE teachers in Florida can vary based on factors such as experience, education level, and the specific school district. While entry-level salaries may be modest, experienced PE teachers at the top of the salary range earned more than $75,520 that year working in middle schools and $79,490 or better at the high school level.
Florida Middle School PE Teacher Salary by City
| Area Name | Employment | Annual Mean Wage | Annual 10th Percentile Wage | Annual 25th Percentile Wage | Annual Median Wage | Annual 75th Percentile Wage | Annual 90th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,150 | $56,330 | $50,720 | $50,720 | $58,360 | $58,360 | $61,540 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 490 | $58,960 | $48,300 | $50,530 | $62,440 | $65,520 | $65,520 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 840 | $57,170 | $46,830 | $46,830 | $58,930 | $70,870 | $70,870 |
| Gainesville, FL | 410 | $55,430 | $47,150 | $48,070 | $52,460 | $60,760 | $64,650 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,700 | $64,810 | $46,680 | $48,450 | $68,990 | $74,080 | $79,130 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 1,610 | $52,320 | $48,470 | $50,070 | $50,070 | $50,070 | $60,860 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 8,970 | $57,790 | $48,670 | $50,770 | $51,680 | $62,260 | $75,520 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 630 | $81,390 | $59,140 | $71,650 | $82,320 | $82,320 | $103,430 |
| North Florida nonmetropolitan area | 340 | $54,080 | $45,690 | $45,920 | $48,380 | $60,210 | $61,940 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 1,000 | $60,610 | $47,470 | $47,510 | $59,040 | $66,380 | $75,520 |
| Ocala, FL | 650 | $53,080 | $46,170 | $46,170 | $46,170 | $57,250 | $70,300 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 5,570 | $53,120 | $47,060 | $50,630 | $50,630 | $51,810 | $62,170 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 700 | $55,180 | $47,810 | $47,810 | $56,200 | $60,450 | $61,600 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 400 | $55,810 | $49,770 | $49,770 | $49,770 | $62,240 | $68,380 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 790 | $50,760 | $48,210 | $48,210 | $48,470 | $48,470 | $58,530 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 900 | $61,840 | $48,020 | $49,170 | $56,540 | $62,880 | $99,740 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | 220 | $52,090 | $47,120 | $47,120 | $47,120 | $60,480 | $60,480 |
| South Florida nonmetropolitan area | 350 | $60,320 | $49,550 | $49,550 | $57,810 | $66,130 | $76,030 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 3,530 | $64,190 | $47,620 | $49,470 | $66,150 | $72,240 | $79,160 |
Florida High School PE Teacher Salary by City
| Area Name | Employment | Annual Mean Wage | Annual 10th Percentile Wage | Annual 25th Percentile Wage | Annual Median Wage | Annual 75th Percentile Wage | Annual 90th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,170 | $57,150 | $50,770 | $50,770 | $58,270 | $58,270 | $60,740 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 570 | $67,030 | $48,780 | $49,820 | $62,440 | $77,430 | $100,660 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 2,190 | $64,070 | $46,540 | $47,930 | $58,510 | $71,660 | $95,470 |
| Gainesville, FL | 760 | $68,730 | $48,690 | $50,070 | $62,620 | $77,850 | $96,310 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 3,840 | $69,370 | $46,470 | $59,590 | $73,080 | $75,290 | $93,150 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 1,980 | $66,310 | $48,310 | $48,970 | $62,840 | $79,620 | $101,920 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 11,650 | $60,020 | $48,580 | $51,080 | $58,720 | $63,790 | $78,580 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 660 | $83,930 | $62,930 | $71,690 | $82,560 | $104,430 | $104,430 |
| North Florida nonmetropolitan area | 720 | $60,770 | $45,360 | $46,700 | $58,980 | $63,000 | $82,080 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 1,460 | $70,260 | $47,860 | $61,240 | $66,160 | $77,030 | $98,410 |
| Ocala, FL | 650 | $61,670 | $44,280 | $44,280 | $58,110 | $70,960 | $91,650 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 6,020 | $56,320 | $46,440 | $51,170 | $51,670 | $61,950 | $63,820 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 1,370 | $55,610 | $49,640 | $50,550 | $57,100 | $57,670 | $60,430 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | 450 | $55,230 | $49,840 | $49,840 | $49,840 | $63,750 | $64,410 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 1,170 | $53,580 | $48,560 | $48,880 | $48,880 | $59,010 | $59,560 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 920 | $53,260 | $49,260 | $49,260 | $51,440 | $51,440 | $60,170 |
| Sebring, FL | 280 | $54,380 | $47,040 | $47,040 | $47,040 | $59,230 | $74,980 |
| South Florida nonmetropolitan area | 410 | $62,990 | $49,410 | $49,930 | $62,120 | $76,650 | $79,940 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 800 | $57,410 | $43,100 | $47,560 | $55,110 | $59,940 | $73,790 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 8,390 | $63,440 | $49,150 | $49,150 | $61,030 | $72,090 | $79,490 |
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics Salary data for Middle School Teachers and High School Teachers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
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