Physical education teacher, Michael Jennings chats with us about giving our students more movement tools in their movement toolbox, teaching the whole child, and the importance of truly loving what you do.

Michael shares why he believes physical literacy is so important beyond just a grade, how he has worked to be more than “just a P.E. teacher,” and why he is not the gym teacher you had in school.

Episode Highlights

1:09 – Shoutout to Adam Welcome (@mradamwelcome) for the word to describe Jeff.
1:30 – Previewing the episode with Michael.
5:34 – Talking about incorporating movement in the classroom.
9:16 – Michael updates us on the squirrel that knocked out his power.
11:17 – Michael introduces himself. He doesn’t like to say he’s a P.E. teacher. He says he’s a Physical Educator.
12:56 – Diving more into “physical literacy” – It’s a n individual’s ability to be confident, competent, and motivated to participate in a wide variety of physical activities.
16:04 – Michael’s failure: Making his first introductory Grid and loading it with far too much, and underestimating how long it would take his students to move through it.
20:09 – Michael talks about his experience with The Grid Method.
20:52 – Michael’s success: Seeing one of students fall, and then celebrate that they fell correctly and safely because Michael had focused on the fundamentals of movement.
24:28 – Jeff reminisces about his time working with the World Freerunning Parkour Federation.
26:16 – What’s got Michael excited about education right now: How important physical education is in today’s world, and people recognizing that importance.
31:37 – Michae’s advice to teachers:
1. Don’t fear failure..ever. Expect it and learn from it.
2. No student will ever love what they’re doing unless you love what you’re doing.
3. Take time for yourself.
36:42 – 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
41:32 – How to connect with Michael.

Michael’s Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Not sure if this is an “EdTech tool” but my iPad is a necessity!
Book: “Smart Moves: Why Learning is Not All in Your Head” by Carla Hannaford
Who to Follow: All PE teachers should follow Jeremy Frisch on Instagram (@achieve_performance) and Twitter (@JeremyFrisch)
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Not a website or YouTube channel guy…much more into reaching out, emailing, Tweeting, calling people to “talk shop. ”
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Set time aside for yourself to be active.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received: “If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”

Links to Connect With Michael

Twitter: @THEschmike
Email: jenningsm@unit5.org

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