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How to Write a Resume for a Physical Education Teacher

Your physical education teacher resume format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout hacks to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections. 

physical education teacher resume
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  • Professional header and contact info:

    • Include your name, contact information, and a professional email address.

  • Compelling summary statement:

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three sports-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.

  • Highlight your skills:

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to physical education work, like sports knowledge and curriculum development.

  • Emphasize your work history:

    • List your work experience in reverse chronological order, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.

  • Supporting education section:

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.

  • Additional sections:

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write a PE Teacher Resume Summary

The resume summary is your first professional pitch — convince hiring managers to read on by highlighting three essential qualifications and achievements as a physical education teacher. It serves as a concise introduction to your resume and can significantly impact the hiring manager’s decision. Follow these guidelines to craft a compelling physical education teacher resume summary:

Keep it concise and impactful:

The resume summary should be a brief paragraph of three to four sentences. Focus on highlighting the most relevant qualifications and accomplishments that align with the physical education teacher role you’re targeting. 

Showcase your expertise:

Emphasize the experience and skills that make you a strong candidate for the PE teacher position. Mention your years of sports teaching experience, proficiency in assessment and grading, athletic ability, patience, and other relevant skills that set you apart.

Tailor it to the job description:

Customize your resume summary to match the requirements of the physical education teacher role you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to demonstrate that you possess the desired qualifications and understand the position’s needs.

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Good PE teacher resume summary example

“Passionate and dedicated physical education teacher with over seven years of experience promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyles among students. Expert in designing engaging and inclusive curricula tailored to diverse student needs, fostering a positive and motivating environment. Proven track record of improving student performance in physical activities and promoting lifelong fitness habits. Skilled in coaching various sports, managing extracurricular activities, and integrating modern educational technologies to enhance learning experiences.”

This resume summary example emphasizes the candidate’s master of sports and physical fitness and teaching experience to effectively demonstrate their ability to fulfill the role needs. 

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Poor PE teacher resume summary example

“Experienced PE teacher with several years of teaching in various schools. Knowledgeable about different sports, fitness activities and healthy habits. Worked with students of all ages and abilities. Looking for a new opportunity to teach physical education.”

This example must be more specific and include relevant skills demonstrating the candidate’s qualifications. 

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PRO TIP:

The resume summary works best if you have over three years of experience. Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, freelancer or career changer. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of relevant experience. 

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How to Add Your Physical Education Work History

The work history section of your physical education resume provides an opportunity to highlight your relevant professional experiences and accomplishments. Follow these guidelines to showcase your work history effectively:

Start with your most recent role:

List your work history, starting with your current or most recent position as a PE teacher. Include the school’s name, job title and dates.

Focus on achievements:

Instead of listing job responsibilities, emphasize your accomplishments and contributions in each role. Highlight any improvements you made to the classroom, successful initiatives you led, or positive outcomes you achieved. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Tailor it to the role:

Highlight experiences directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. Emphasize behavior management, wellness, adaptability and other physical education teaching skills that showcase your suitability for the role.

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Good PE teacher work experience example

Physical Education Teacher | Abbott Middle School Philadelphia, PA | August 2018 – Present

    • Increased student participation in extracurricular sports programs by 30% through targeted recruitment and engaging activities.
    • Successfully improved the school’s physical fitness assessment scores by 20% over two years through a structured training and wellness program.
    • Implemented innovative teaching strategies and utilized technology, such as fitness apps and video analysis, to enhance student learning and engagement.
    • Developed and implemented a comprehensive physical education curriculum for grades 6-8, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

This work experience example uses concrete evidence of the teacher’s impact on student engagement and physical fitness outcomes to prove their ability to go above and beyond their role. 

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Poor PE teacher work experience example

Physical Education Teacher | Abbott Middle School Philadelphia, PA | August 2018 – Present

    • Led daily PE classes, engaging students in various sports, fitness activities, and wellness education.
    • Conducted assessments and provided feedback on student performance.
    • Organized and supervised school sports events, including track and field meets, basketball tournaments, and annual field days.

This example does an excellent job mentioning some of the candidate’s responsibilities. Still, it needs to detail their achievements in the role and include specific skills the employer seeks. 

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How to Write a PE Teacher Education Section

Physical education teachers are required to have a formal degree in education. Employers prefer candidates with training in health and physical fitness. Follow these guidelines to present your educational qualifications effectively:

1Start with your highest level of education:

Begin the education section with your most advanced degree. Include the degree type, primary or focus area, institution name and dates of attendance or graduation.

How to list your degree:

Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Education, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA | September 2013 – May 2017

2Highlight specialized certifications and training:

Emphasize any certifications or specialized training that enhance your qualifications as a physical education teacher. 

How to list your certifications:

National Board Certified: Physical Education | National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
November 2018

3Showcase relevant coursework and research projects:

Mention any coursework or research projects that demonstrate your expertise in health, teaching or relevant areas of study. This can provide insights into your knowledge and skills in the field.

How to list relevant coursework:

Curriculum Development | University of Pennsylvania

4Include notable institutions or educational affiliations:

If you have attended prestigious educational institutions or are affiliated with reputable teaching associations, highlight them to strengthen your resume’s credibility and showcase your commitment to excellence.

How to list your membership:

Active member, National Education Association (NEA)

5Mention professional development activities:

Highlight workshops, conferences or training programs you have attended that are relevant to teaching. Include the program name, organization and dates to demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in the field.

How to list professional development courses:

Teaching SEL in Physical Education | SHAPE America
March 2023

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15 Skills For Your Physical Education Teacher Resume

We covered how to incorporate soft, hard and technical skills throughout your resume. Your skills section is the last place to add physical education skills you’d like employers to know about. Here’s a starting list of teaching-friendly skills to feature on your resume: 

soft skills

Soft skills

soft skills

Hard skills

  • Sports coaching and instruction
  • Fitness assessment and testing
  • Curriculum design
  • Knowledge of health and nutrition
  • First aid and CPR certification
soft skills

Technical skills

  • Fitness and sports equipment
  • Technology integration 
  • Video analysis software
  • Assessment tools
  • Online learning platforms
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PRO TIP:

Including a well-rounded mix of resume skills specific to PE teaching responsibilities, you can effectively showcase your capabilities and suitability for the role. Remember to tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the specific position you are applying for.

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20 Physical Education Action Verbs

With the ease of online job boards and professional social media sites like LinkedIn, hiring managers can see dozens to hundreds of applications for a single opening. Unique action verbs and power words can help your resume stand out against the monotony of repetitive resumes. 

  • Assess
  • Coach
  • Demonstrate
  • Educate
  • Evaluate
  • Facilitate
  • Guide
  • Implement
  • Instruct
  • Introduce
  • Lead
  • Motivate
  • Organize
  • Promote
  • Provide
  • Reinforce
  • Supervise
  • Teach
  • Train
  • Track

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your physical education teacher resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:

  • Certifications:

    Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials.

  • Professional development:

    Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or educational programs to replace or supplement your education section. 

  • Awards and achievements:

    If you have received recognition or awards for your performance or productivity, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.

  • Volunteer experience:

    Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as organization, discipline and budgeting.

  • Language proficiency:

    Schools host diverse students so that multilingual fluency can support your daily responsibilities. 

  • Memberships:

    Let hiring managers know about your membership to teaching-specific organizations or unions. 

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide, or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

Physical Education Teacher Resume FAQ

What are the duties of a physical education teacher?

A Physical Education (PE) teacher is responsible for designing and implementing engaging physical education curricula promoting fitness, health, and student teamwork. Duties include:

  • Conducting daily classes.
  • Instructing students in various sports and physical activities.
  • Providing instruction on the importance of fitness and healthy lifestyles.

They assess student performance through fitness tests and activities, adapt lessons to accommodate diverse abilities, and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. Additionally, PE teachers organize and supervise extracurricular sports programs and events, collaborate with other educators to integrate health education and maintain equipment and facilities. 

Should I tailor my resume to each job application?

We strongly recommend tailoring your resume to each job application. Read the job description, identify key skills and requirements, and customize your resume accordingly. Highlight experiences and achievements directly related to the position’s specific needs.

Should I include references on a PE teacher resume?

Including references on your resume is optional. Create a separate document with references and provide it when specifically requested.