Katie Cusson. Photo courtesy of Katie Cusson
As a student teacher, Katie Cusson enjoys spending her days teaching kids the ins and outs of physical education. Last semester, Cusson, a health and physical education student in George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development, interned at Gravely Elementary School in Haymarket, Va., working with students in grades K-5.
While teaching physical education classes to all students in grades K-5, Cusson included tchoukball – an indoor team sport – in some of her classes and units for the older students and movement skills such as locomotor and nonlocomotor skills for the younger students. She also learned about fitness testing and how to administer the pre-tests for students that help them to set goals and meet the state standards for physical education in fitness.
“Some of the most enjoyable moments while teaching at Gravely included watching students complete a skill correctly for the first time after many tries,” says Cusson. “Teaching the students new things and seeing the excitement from them as they came into physical education class every day to participate, learn and have fun is what makes the job of a physical education teacher especially rewarding.”
Cusson remembers one of the best days during her internship was during a lesson that incorporated a dance the students learned using technology while incorporating a parachute activity to teach nonlocomotor skills. “The students were so excited, and while they learned a lot, they also had fun too!” she says.
With a background in therapeutic recreation, Cusson has always had career goals to teach health and physical education in a public school setting in grades K-12. Her experience at Gravely solidified her desire to work with elementary students. “I learned so much from the teachers with whom I worked, especially that to be a quality educator you have to keep trying new things, and if they don’t work, then change it and try again.”
“I was lucky to intern at such a great school with a lot of support not only from the physical education department, but from teachers and administration as well,” says Cusson. “This experience has given me the knowledge to teach students the importance of health and physical movement every day and into the future. As someone who loves fitness and sports, I have found that physical education is the perfect place for me.”