International Student Teaching Spring 2009

My name is Nick Davis and I will be heading to Ireland in about three weeks. This May I will receive my Physical Education K-12 degree from Appalachian. I am currently teaching P.E. classes out at Cove Creek here in Watauga county.

During my school years I enjoyed going to P.E. I have fond memories of my P.E. teachers and my time spent in thei classes. To put it bluntly, I had fun in those classes. I have always thought as P.E. teachers being in the business of fun. These are the only classes where students are expected to move around, play, and have fun. I figured out long ago that if I was going to do something, it would have to be something I enjoy. I have enjoyed everyday of my student teaching. I love seeing my students being active and playing.

I had told my parents about the International program and they encouraged me to apply. If it worked out, good, if not, oh well at least I tried. It is going to be a once in a lifetime experience and I am glad that I tried. After getting accepted I started thinking about how wonderful an opportunity this was going to be. I am very interested in how P.E. classes are run overseas. I also want to see how motivated students are. In this country there seems to be a growing problem of low motivation or student apathy. It will be interesting to compare and contrast our educational system and culture with theirs. I hope to learn a variety of different games or activities while I am there. I want to see what they are doing right in terms of physical education so that I can add this knowledge or skill to my repertoire. I believe that this trip will make me a culturally aware, well rounded, effective teacher and person.