In many parts of the country, the summer break is nearly over. If you’re an educator, hopefully you’ve taken time to refuel yourself for the 2025–2026 school year! Teaching physical education is uniquely rewarding — and uniquely exhausting.

Unlike classroom teachers who may get pockets of planning time throughout the day, our time with students is almost entirely active. It requires energy, enthusiasm and endurance. This can feel daunting and, at times, draining.

As I enter my 12th year of teaching elementary physical education, I’d like to share the tips I’ve used to start the year strong.  With intention and a little planning, this can be the year you keep the fire burning instead of burning out.

1. Reconnect With Your Purpose

Use the time before students flood the school to reconnect with the purpose behind your teaching. Reflect on these questions:

• What drives you?
• What moments in your career have made you feel most proud?
• How has a student — or group of students — left a lasting impact on you?

If you can ground yourself with your why, then it will fuel everything else. Then you can redesign your space, establish routines and set expectations with intention. You won’t feel so overwhelmed.

Like most of you, my purpose is to encourage all students to love movement — in all its forms. I intentionally build in activities that are inclusive. I believe there’s power in helping kids discover joy in their bodies, confidence in their skills, and excitement in physical activity.

Keep a “smile file” close by for all those little notes students give you. Use them to recenter your purpose over the course of the year.

2. Redesign and Organize

A well-organized gym isn’t just about tidy equipment; it sets the tone for structure and intentional teaching. Here are a few small changes that can make a big impact:

• Display a “What/Why/How” Board
  Create a simple visual space that answers:
  • What are we doing today? (What skill are you working on?)
  • Why are we doing it? (How can it benefit students for other sports? Where can the skill be applied elsewhere?)
  • How will we do it? (I know … I can … I understand …)
• Use “I Can” Statements
  Post standards-based “I Can” statements at a level students understand. This gives kids purpose and makes assessment easier. “I Can” statements should be specific. For example: “I can jump rope 5 times in a row.”

• Set Up a Self-Assessment Corner
  Use visuals like red-yellow-green cones, posters or simple checkboxes where students can reflect after a lesson. Think of this as a quick exit ticket where you can document and reflect on how that class responded to your lesson.
• Designate a Calm-Down or Reset Zone
  Even in a gym, kids need space to breathe. Use a corner with a yoga mat, sensory tools or visuals for calming strategies. This teaches regulation and gives students ownership over their emotions.
• Get Creative With Equipment Storage
  Use milk crates for different sized balls, pinnies or beanbags. Rolling garbage cans or laundry bins can be used for balls and noodles or hockey sticks and baseball bats. Label everything so kids can help with setup and cleanup.

3. Build Structure Before You Build Momentum

We might find ourselves starting the year by diving right into fun activities. Strong procedures build strong classes. Take the time to clearly teach and practice routines. Consider asking yourself:

• How should students enter the gym?
  • Do they walk to a line or spot?
  • Do you begin class with two minutes of locomotor movement?
  • Do you have a walk-in song?
• How do students collect equipment?
  • Do you have an equipment monitor?
  • Do you call students over or give them equipment?
• Are water breaks structured or on student choice?
  • Is there a limit at the drinking fountain?
  • Do you have a water bottle station?
• How do you finish your lesson and how do students leave the gym?
  • Do they return to their designated spot?
  • Do you celebrate a student of the day?
  • Do you have reflection questions?
  • Do students complete an exit ticket?

Here are a few things I use in my gym to keep things organized and structured:

• Students have assigned spots. I use a grid pattern, which allows me to group students quickly and efficiently by row number or column color.  
• Celebrate all students over the year. I celebrate even small wins that a student might have had that day. They receive a school reward ticket, followed by a sticker of their choice and a shot of the impossible shot. I make sure that all students are recognized before someone is selected a second time.
• Use music and transition call and responses:
  • Music on = play; music stops = stop and eyes on teacher
  • “Hands on top” — “Everybody Stop”
  • “Hands on your knees” — “Everybody Freeze”
  • Freeze like a human rock (Crouch down low), Star (arms and feet wide), the letter P, etc.

4. Pace Yourself

You don’t need to have it all figured out in Week 1. If you’re returning to the same school, your students will likely know your expectations. Use that to your advantage. Revisit expectations slowly and intentionally. Pick one area to focus on each week or biweekly, such as transitions, teamwork or voice levels.

Try making the first couple of weeks feel like a celebration instead of diving into content immediately. Maybe you try to include movement breaks, team building, or “get to know you” challenges. You’ll know you’ve set the tone for the year when students leave each day saying, “I can’t wait to come back.”

Remember: We burn out when we try to do everything. Let the rest unfold naturally.

5. Celebrate Small Wins — Yours and Theirs

The year is long, and sometimes we only pause to celebrate the big wins. But small wins matter too. The best classrooms are the ones where kids feel seen, valued and inspired. Did a student finally skip with rhythm? Did your class transition smoother than the last time? Did you leave school feeling good? Celebrate those.

I keep a sticker folder in my gym and highlight a student each class, each week. Document this so you don’t miss a student. It’s a time where they can feel valued for the effort and success they had that day. You can tie this in with your school-wide reward system.

Remember, your energy sets the tone. When students see you celebrate progress — not perfection — they’ll start to do the same for themselves.

Keep the Fire Going

Starting the year strong doesn’t mean starting it fast. It means being intentional, patient and kind to yourself as much as your students. Reconnect with your why. Build strong routines. Infuse your space with joy. And remember: Your presence, your passion and your impact matter more than perfection. This is your year to teach with fire and not fizzle out.

Trust the spark inside you — burn bright!

Additional Resources

• National Physical Education Standards Resources
• National Physical Education Standards, Fourth Edition
• The Essentials of Teaching Physical Education

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