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My Career as a Girls Phys Ed Teacher...

Earlier this evening I wrote a post about one of the semi-final matches in the US Open Women's Tennis Championship taking place this weekend in Flushing, New York.

One commentor asked me a question about whether or not I played tennis. I answered that earlier in my life... I just loved playing tennis, but right now... my ankles are too weak, and getting around the court would be a problem. Then I started going into a story about my teaching career... which lasted nine years... and immediately preceded my becoming a Realtor. Here's the story.

It seemed like hundreds of years ago... but there I was... just beginning teaching. I was still IN college... but was asked by a local Catholic School if I would teach in their parish seventh grade... using a "provisional" teaching certificate. I had not even considered teaching as a career... but was really "taken" by the idea... and after much thought... I accepted.

The degree I was pursuing in college... was Psychology. I was minoring in Philosophy, and also had a second minor in French. I was having fun... and learning lots of things in fields I really enjoyed. Then... all of a sudden... there I was... teaching seventh and eighth grade.

I knew I had always possessed a talent... a gift for teaching. It just came naturally to me. And... in taking the required "teaching methods" courses to qualify for the provisional certificate... I had my start.

After our first curriculum meetings with the rest of the staff... our strengths as far as knowledge were discussed... and then the subjects for the "junior high" division... seventh and eighth grades... were handed out. I was always absolutely excellent at math... and after testing out of it in college... I was chosen to teach it to the seventh and eighth graders. Four classes of math, two of history, one homeroom... and then... came the following discussion... or challenge... whichever you prefer to call it.

It seemed there was enough money in the school budget for the boys to have a certified phys ed teacher... but for the girls... no. And... way back then... it wasn't even thought necessary that the girls even NEEDED to have phys ed. After all... they... were girls !

So... as the principal looked around the room... she came to the last two teachers... myself, and an eighty-three year old nun with really bad arthritis. One look at poor Sister Mary Holywater... and the decision was obvious. I... was chosen... as the new girls phys ed teacher for all of the eighth grade girls. I loved it. It was great.

I must admit... I had to spend a lot of my own money on equipment... although many of the girls had their own things they could bring. But... we did it. Ran track, did calisthentics, played soccer... and played softball... and played it with enough enthusiasm that we actually challenged the boys to a game... and BEAT them.

And that... is how teaching phys ed... became part of my teaching resume. I had forgotten all about that... until the question earlier today about whether or not I played tennis. What a nice memory to have run past my mind's eye again. :)

Posted by Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone on 09/13/2009 01:32 AM

Comments (31)

Education - Girls Phys Ed in the ActiveRain Channel

girls phys ed teacher

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31 Comments on My Career as a Girls Phys Ed Teacher...

SEP

Funny how something can be such a big part of your life and as life goes on it is pushed to the back... then something triggers it and a fond memeory comes back... good times.. good life...

Debra: Oh... it was so so very long ago. We are talking 1965 here. Gee... how old were YOU in 1965 ? I am guessing that 1965 had to be like twenty years before you were born... if not more. Some days I really feel old. Other days... I just KNOW it... LOL.

Karen Anne,

How glad I am that I asked a simple question. This is a great post, so well written, and enjoyable. I wish you only the days when you know your age, but do not feel it.

I wish the same to myself (LOL)

Hi, Karen Anne. I taught in a Catholic high school for a couple of years and I know what you mean...I ended up taking over an Earth Science class for a sick nun for "the rest of the year" although I had absolutely no qualification to do so! I probably did a better job because I had to work so much harder at it and it provided a life lesson....it's amazing what you can do that you didn't know you could do when you've been thrown into the deep end!

You never cease to amaze me, my friend. Did you ever teach piano? Those were the lessons I liked the most! :)

Karen - How did I know you are a very intelligent educating individual and Psychology, I was always interested in that myself.

You have found yourself a feature at one of my favorite groups (Early morning - Late night)at Activerain.

VB ;o)

Karen, This is a wonderful story and a great memory to share. Don't you love their train of thought back then that girls didn't need phys ed? It sounds like you and your students had a wonderful time.

Karen Anne: Sounds like being the Phys Ed teacher was a rewarding part of your teaching career. My husband finds that volunteering at a boxing gym is a source of great joy. He also dips into his own pocket for equipment that the gym, or some of the kids, may be lacking. It's worth every penny to see the smile on his face when he comes home.

Jon: Your kind words are appreciated. I am glad your question stimulated this post. Take care...

Leslie: Your last sentence tells it all. "It's amazing what you can do that you didn't know you could do... when you've been thrown into the deep end." Oh yes... that has happened many times. It's kind of like saying... "we don't have problems... we have 'opportunities.' And boy, do we have 'opportunities' !"

I am afraid that with the new Pope... who right now is "studying" all of the nun's orders in the United States... to make sure they are "teaching correctly"... that these brave women will soon find themselves under the very heavy thumb of a pope who really does not appear to be as much of a "christian" as he should be.

I wonder what would happen... if the progressive side of the Catholic church... would refuse to acknowledge the authority of THIS current pope... and dare to elect one more in keeping with the original teachings of Christ. That would be some fun to watch !

Carol: You asked if I taught piano. Noper. But I DID teach guitar... back in my junior high school teaching days. During that nine-year period of teaching in the catholic schools... I also taught an average of 21 students how to play the guitar. Also, during that time, I "let" the kids talk me into leading a high school guitar folk liturgy group. We played at both the school masses, and also at an occasional weekend regular Sunday mass. What a time in my life. And wow... do I have some great stories to tell. Honestly... some of them would just knock your socks off. Some of those so-called catholic christians running things... weren't very christian at all !

Robert: Thanks for highlighting this post in your group. Obviously, my degree in Psychology has helped me in all aspects of my life. But... some people think that a degree in Psychology can put me at an unfair advantage. Not a chance. If a person does not already have the intuitive abilities that a degree in Psychology expands upon... no amount of Psych degrees can make that ability appear. Trust me. I have seen people try... and it just doesn't work.

Carole: There were many trains of thought as to what the "girls" didn't need. The boys were featured, were pampered, and were catered to. The girls, for the most part, were ignored... unless it had to do with the length of their skirts. Duh !

It was so great when Title IX came along in 1973... providing for, and demanding, that girls phys ed and sports teams be given EQUAL attention in schools and colleges. The men, the male educators, and the male administrators all cried foul... but that awesome law made it happen. I think it was 1973 when that law came into existence... and that was a Nixon year. I am going to have to research it, and see just who was responsible for pushing that through the legislature. Whoever it was... the law has meant an awful lot to girls and women ever since.

And yes... my girls and I were a team. And a team in more places than in those associated with sports. It was just amazing how many of them... after they graduated from the eighth grade and went off to high school... it was amazing how many of them came back to visit me. Just thinking about it makes me smile so hard my cheeks hurt... LOL.

And... as often happens... many times when my brain gets going on automatic pilot making a response to a commentor such as yourself... the comment leads me to an idea for another post... as this one just did.

Chris Ann: Even though teaching girls phys ed... was an accidental move I did not plan, and even though it was only one class I taught three days a week... out of the eight classes I taught every day... it did add so much to my life way back then. In many ways... I wish I had been able to stay in that field. And, at times, I STILL feel guilty about leaving them. But... that's the way my head works... both towards my betterment, and my detriment.

Hooray for your husband... and all the great work it sounds like he is doing with the kids. It sounds like it is great "therapy" for both the kids... and for your hubby. Take care...

Karen Anne, this post brought back memories for me, too. I was hired to teach at a Catholic college in Montana and part of the responsibilities included coacing the coed swim teach. I moved to Montana and two weeks later was told by the Athletic Director that becuase of Title IX, the team had to be all female. There weren't enough girls. So we put up notices for tryouts for a girl's volleyball team (6 players needed). We only got 5 girls who wanted to play. We tried basketball (for which I had little coaching knowledge) and got 7 girls, so I coached a girls basketball team at a Catholic college. Badly coached, I might add. But they were great kids. This was back in to 70s.

Lorrie: Ah yes... the 70's. My teaching days were from 1965 to 1974. What an incredible nine years of teaching. Actually, it was teaching school, and giving 21 kids a week guitar lessons, plus working in a record store... plus finding time to go to "real estate school" so I could get my license... and go back to only working ONE job, instead of four. Wow... to have that kind of energy again.

Title IX was such a great thing. I have some memory of it happening, but need to research it more to see just who was most responsible for pushing it through the legislature when Nixon was president way back then... in 1973. What a time in history.

Hey... I would have loved to see your basketball team when you were coaching. Hmmm... should we just call you "coach" from now on ? I don't think it really mattered back then how "good" of a coach you were. I am sure the girls... the young women... were just so happy to be actually competing in a team sport... that they thought you walked on water for coaching them. How great for all of you. Thanks for your comment, Coach !

Lorrie, Chris Ann and Carol and Carole, and all: I just briefly googled Title IX... and asked the great Google who pushed through the legislation in 1973... and wouldn't you know it. It was some guy named Senator Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy. Yeah... I've heard of him. He was such a great leader... and has had such a major effect on this country. Just one more reason why he will be truly, sorely missed.

Wow Karen Anne, I knew you were multi talented with a diverse background but very cool being a Phys Ed teacher. I liked how you adapted on the fly. You could probably play a mean game of tennis if those wheels of yours would get you around. I used to play four hours straight in the hot summer Texas sun and I think I still could do it, but everyone my own age has pooped out. Need to play some twenty year olds I guess.

Karen - You confirm my belief that teachers need to have the gift! There are several areas of life that require a calling. Teaching is one of 'em!

Gary: I think it is just a little bit of an overstatement for me to call myself a phys ed teacher. There are so many wonderful teachers who are fully qualified with the background needed to be a "certified" physical education teacher. Way back then... I simply did the best I could... dealing with the circumstances that were presented to me. With all that in mind... I think I did fairly well. But... thanks so much for the kind words.

Tennis-wise... I was very average. I just enjoyed playing. I have never been very good at any particular sport. When I did play... it was just for the fun and the exercise. But again... thanks for the kind words. My forte was inside the classroom with the kids.

Myrl: Yes... I must agree with you. I was a great teacher... even if I do say so myself. And... when I had to leave teaching... I really felt badly. Actually... I still feel some guilt for leaving. I did what I could... but at the end... working so many jobs at the same time... it was almost self-defense... when I left. And yes, I very much feel one must have a calling to be a teacher. And again... once a teacher, always a teacher. Take care...

SEP

Karen Anne, you will receive another star in your crown for teaching those girls when everyone else thought they didn't need anything because they were.....girls. I taught for 12 years and I always wanted to correct the injustices. My art classes, for instance, got no recognition at all. I asked the school to let us form a Fine Art's Club. I was the leader and we got our page in the annual from then on. Why had it never been done before? Well, because it was just.....art.

Barbara: Yes... they were just... "the girls." And it was just... "art." Yes... I, too, was one of those "crusader" types... just like it sounds like you were. If it was wrong... how can we make it right ? If the program didn't exist... let's invent one ! Way back then... there was always something to do... someone to help... who... if we didn't do it, nobody would. It sounds like you were an excellent teacher yourself, my dear.

What would this world be like... if all the wonderful teachers who, for some reason or other, who had left the profession... what would have happened if they (we) could have stayed ? Thanks so much for sharing your story... and thanks so much for all the kids you helped back then.

SEP

Sister Mary Holywater??? Love it. Guitar playing phys ed teacher. Hey you didn't act also did you by any chance?

I can see you in the Sound of Music lol.

Jenny: Noper... no Sound of Music for me. It was all folk music. Peter, Paul and Mary type stuff. But yes, I taught guitar to 21 kids a week, and started, at the kids urging, a junior-high guitar Mass Liturgy group... and we played at both school Masses, and at some weekend Parish Masses. No acting... never did that. Was accused of "hamming it up" a lot... but never acted. Nobody's perfect, my dear.

And it's all true... except maybe for knowing a Sister Mary HolyWater. That part, I must admit, I did make up. But... doncha agree it sounds like a great name for a nun ?

By the way... I remember those nuns very fondly. They were the Akron (Ohio) Dominican nuns... and were absolutely terrific.

SEP

Karen! What a great life experience. It sounds like you influenced many girls and they were lucky to have a caring, and enthusiastic individual to lead them in PE. Loved the post!

SEP

Karen Anne,

My husband Garry, just received an email from the mother of one of his students from several years ago telling him how he had made such a huge difference in the life of her son and that she would always love my Garry for that. I'm sure many of your students would say the same about you.

Garry is frustrated right now with the first of the year moving of students that happens every year in our public school system because of changing enrollment. I keep reminding him of the difference an awesome teacher can make in the life of a student.

Glad you shared,

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Olga: First, thanks so much for the kind words. I really appreciate them. I did my best... way back then... and taught and shared my heart out. I stayed as long as I could in the profession... nine years... and worked two other jobs while teaching... but in the end... my family had to come first. I still, to this day, feel badly about leaving. Thanks again... :)

Fran: That is just so wonderful for your hubby Garry that the mother of one of his students shared her feelings about what an incredible difference Garry made on her son's life. Words like that are ones what we as teachers carry in our hearts forever.

Sure... changes in students... uprooting their lives... can be very frustrating and disheartening for both kids and teachers... as well as the parents, too. I am so very sure that all the support you give to him is a major help to him as he continues to have such a positive effect on "his kids."

And Fran... I'm glad I shared this part of myself, too. Thanks so much for your encouraging words.

SEP

What a great story. Reminded me of my tenure of coaching the girls church league basketball team, by default. I knew NOTHING about BB, but the girls need an adult "coach" in order to play. They were great girls, we had an awesome season. They taught me how to coach them, or I should say they coached themselves and taught me how to look and act like a coach during the games. Good times!

SEP

I always wanted to be a teacher, but teaching in Texas was not going to allow me to rise above the poor family that I was raised in, so teaching it wasn't. That is one of the things I like about ActiveRain, though, the opportunity to do some teaching in all my various areas of interest.

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