Resources for College/University Professors
Whether you are in the classroom teaching Physical Education Teacher Education and Health Education Teacher Education (PETE/HETE), or conducting research that elevates our profession and leads to classroom solutions, your work in is vital to the next generation of health and physical educators.
You prepare future professionals to become effective champions for health and physical education by giving them the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.
As SHAPE America task forces work to revise the PETE and HETE standards over the next two years, your participation is important! Stay informed about opportunities to provide feedback during the revision process.
Guidance Documents
Resources for Recruitment in Higher Education
From the Research Council
Additional Resources
Be a good role model
- Advocate for your profession and communicate its importance to your students
- Recommend membership in SHAPE America to your students
- Elevate the profession through research — SHAPE America research grants are available to help
Stay current with professional trends and best practices
- Learn more about the new SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and National Health Education Standards
- Drill down to the Essential Components of Physical Education (new edition coming fall 2025!)
- Share the Appropriate Practices in School-Based Health Education as well as Physical Education (new editions coming soon!)
Commit to lifelong learning
- Register for national professional development opportunities
- Take advantage of SHAPE America’s webinars
- Plan to attend the annual SHAPE America National Convention & Expo
Increasing Enrollment in Health & PE Teacher Education Programs
For Federal Policy Makers
- Develop legislation that places value on HPE and emphasizes the importance of placing qualified Health and Physical Educators (HPE) teachers in schools.
For State Policy Makers
- Support placing qualified HPE teachers in schools.
- Strengthen support for teacher education programs in their state.
For State Associations
- Promote the profession with high school students, counselors, HPE teachers, parents, and legislators.
- Encourage members to promote teaching HPE to students as potential careers.
- Lobby for highly qualified certified teachers to fill teaching positions.
For SHAPE America and NAKHE
- Provide up-to-date information on the teaching demand for HPE teachers.
- Lobby against alternative pathways to teaching.
- Lobby for incentives for individuals to enter teaching through university PETE/HETE programs.
For PETE/HETE Programs
- Educate university admission officers to ensure they have up-to-date information on the demand for HPE teachers in their state.
- Engage in active recruitment efforts with high school students and undecided students in the university to increase enrollment in PETE/HETE programs.
For K–12 Teachers
- Develop and implement a high-quality HPE program.
- Start conversations with students who seem to enjoy HPE and who may work well with youth.
- Develop a future teachers club and recruit students who are interested in learning more about HPE teaching careers.
- Serve as a cooperating teacher for local college and university H/PETE program field experiences.
- Encourage guidance counselors to promote HPE as a potential career and share information from local colleges and universities.
