Nick Ambrogio

East Longmeadow High School

Mr. Magee
PHED 239 Module 4
Summative Reflection Paper
Dr. Mangano
12/15/14

During this module I feel as though I have made some improvement as a teacher. This is
the second time that I am taking this module and this time around I was able to experience
teaching 80 minute lessons at East Longmeadow High School rather than the 40 minutes I was
teaching at Agawam High School the previous year. I feel as though it was almost beneficial that
I took this module over because I believe I needed to receive more practice under the module
setting before I was ready to move on. I truly learned a lot about not only a lot about how to be a
good teacher but also a lot about myself. I also had a great cooperative teacher Mr. Magee who
continuously gave me critical feedback and helped me improve.
During my first lesson I definitely struggled. One of my biggest issues was the I used the
word ummm as a pause mechanism mostly to try to either remember what I wanted to say and
partially because its a habit I have had for such a long time. This remained constant throughout
all four lessons even though I did make some small improvements throughout the module. Ever
since Mr. Magee mentioned it to me after my first lesson, I really have tried to make a conscious
effort to try to eliminate it and focus on just pausing if the words dont immediately come to my
mouth. I think what really hit me was when he told me that I really couldnt be an effect teacher
if I continued this habit, especially to the extent of which I was at. I also found it interesting that
it was never really brought to my attention by any other cooperative teacher I had in the past.
Throughout this module, it was easily the biggest concern of mine while teaching. When
reflecting on the video of myself teaching, it was so bad that it really was tough to watch and it
got to the point where I was cringing. This is something I will continue to focus on improving
with every conversation I have.
Another struggle that I had during my lessons was that I didnt give much feedback. I did
improve a little throughout the lessons but I still should be giving a lot more. I think part of the

problem is that I am nervous that I will say something unintelligent or that I will look dumb in
front of the students. After my last teaching experience, while Meghan was given me feedback
on how I did, she told me that one of the strategies she uses is she trying to given a piece of
feedback at each corner of the gym or at a certain point. I think if I start to make specific goals
such as that, I will be able to see some improvements with my feedback and will begin to feel
more comfortable speaking out loud
What is interesting is that one of my biggest strength as a teacher is actually my voice. I
do have a loud voice and it definitely has helped me have a strong presence. At the beginning of
this module I really wasnt using it to my ability. Once in a while it would come out and Mr.
Magee would tell me that I needed to use more of it. Once I was able to realize myself that I
sound more confident and am more effective with giving direction if my voice was loud, I made
it a goal of mine and I definitely saw an improvement in my last two lessons. I could feel that the
students took me more seriously and that they were able to understand my directions more
because I would be clearer when I was loud. My voice projection was easily one of the biggest
ways I have improved this semester.
Another aspect of teaching I feel as though I improved on was that I was asking the
students better critical thinking questions during the beginning and ends of the lesson. During my
first lesson, I wasnt really clear with my questions and I dont think the students understood
them. By the end of the module, I was asking question that related directly to the focus and made
the students think about why something was important for them to do in certain situations.
Another way I feel I have grown as a teacher is that I have become better at learning from
my cooperative teachers feedback. For example my after my first lesson, Mr. Magee told me I

should try to stay away from line drills and I didnt have a single line drill in any of my
succeeding lessons. Another example with after Mr. Magee mentioned the importance of voice
projection, my next lessons, I was significantly louder. Some other examples were when I didnt
wait for students to stop talking before I talk or I was inconstant with my transitions during game
play, for the next lesson I made sure I counted down from 10 at the ending of each game before I
asked the students to rotate and I made sure all students were quiet and no equipment was being
played with before I spoke. Talking exactly what Mr. Magee told me and using it in my next
lessons made a difference and I could see how each lesson got smoother and smoother.
One aspect that is important to have as a high school physical education teacher is a
strong presence. High school students need to know who in charge because unlike younger
students mostly need someone to tell them what to do, they have no problem with making their
own rules and doing whatever they like. You need to be firm with your expectation, but this can
also be down without acting like a drill sergeant.
Another aspect that is different with teaching high school students is that you really need
to be more enthusiastic with them than any other age group in order to make the students want to
participate. Younger students are already so excited just to be in gym class and are always ready
to be physically active. Many high school students have different priorities and will often not be
interested in the in participating if the teacher cant relate to the students. As a teacher, you really
need to step back and think would I have fun if I was one of the students?
Another thing that is important to do as a physical education teacher in high school is to
make sure you state the purpose of the lesson and make it relate to their lives. Most high school
students wont want to do anything if they dont understand the point of it. By letting the

students know why what you are teaching is important, it gets them immediately more motivated
and more willing to be engaged.
Another aspect that is important is to make the lesson appropriate and challenging for
everyone in the class. By the high school level, the students are at a very wide range of physical
abilities and to expect the same from each student is very unrealistic. Making sure that you have
several extensions for each activity is important as well as making your activities.
I have learned a lot throughout this last module and even though at times I have
struggled, I am pleased with the improvements I have made. Understanding what it takes to be a
good high school physical education teacher has really helped me enjoy the challenge of teaching
this age group. I will take what knowledge I have gained from this module and use it in my
future teaching experiences.