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The Kentucky Department of Education oversees the more than 40,000 public school teachers throughout Kentucky’s public schools, including its physical education teachers, who are called upon to provide a course of sequential and planned instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity.
All physical education programs in Kentucky’s public schools must be designed to allow children to develop basic movement skills, physical fitness, and lifelong sports skills, all of which help to enhance their mental, social, and emotional health.
Follow these step to learn how to become a PE teacher in Kentucky:
Kentucky’s Core Academic Standards for Physical Education, which are aligned to National Physical Education Standards, are organized into five “Big Ideas,” all of which are focused on the importance of discipline in health and physical education:
- Personal wellness
- Nutrition
- Safety
- Psycho-motor skills
- Lifetime physical wellness
Step 1. Choose a Path of Educator Preparation
Kentucky’s Division of Educator Preparation outlines a number of paths you may take to prepare to be a physical education teacher in Kentucky, all of which are based on, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college:
Traditional Path to Certification
Complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program:
One of the most streamlined approaches to achieving certification as a physical education teacher in Kentucky is through the completion of an approved educator preparation program. These programs, which may offer a bachelor’s or graduate degree, provides all necessary components needed for certification in Kentucky, including the completion of a student teaching component. There are currently five approved educator preparation programs in Kentucky related to physical education.
To qualify for certification through an approved educator preparation program, you must possess a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or a GPA of 3.0 on your last 60 hours of coursework.
Alternative Paths to Certification
There are no less than eight options for qualifying to teach in Kentucky through an alternative path to certification:
The Exceptional Work Experience Certification program, which is designed for teaching physical education in grades P-12, is a rigorous process designed for individuals with at least 10 years of exceptional work experience and a bachelor’s degree related to physical education. You must possess a minimum 2.5 GPA from your bachelor’s degree program, and you must have majored in physical education or have passed the Praxis II in physical education.
The Local District Training Certification program, which is designed for teaching physical education in grades P-12, is for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 2.75. To qualify for this certification, you must have also passed the required written assessment in physical education and have completed a 30-hour course of study in physical education or have completed at least five years of exceptional field experience in a field related to physical education. You must also have an offer of employment from a school district that has an approved physical educator training program.
The College Faculty Certification, which is designed for teaching physical education in grades 8-12, is for candidates who have a minimum of a master’s degree in a physical education-related major and have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at an accredited institution of higher education in a field related to physical education.
The Adjunct Instructor Certification, which is designed for teaching physical education in grades P-12, is for candidates who have expertise in physical education, an offer of employment, and one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 for elementary certification
- A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 for middle or secondary certification and a GPA in all courses related to physical education
Note: This certification will never to lead to full, state certification. These PE teacher candidates are hired only on an annual contract basis.
The Veterans of the Armed Forces certification program is designed for PE teacher candidates who were discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions after six years of active duty military service. To qualify for this certification, you must also possess a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to physical education, with a minimum GPA of 2.5., or an advanced degree with no minimum GPA requirements. Upon obtaining employment, you will be issued a one-year provisional certification and be eligible for the professional certificate after the successful completion of KTIP (see step 3) and one year of teaching.
The University-Based Alternative Route to Certification program, which is designed for teaching physical education in grades P-12, is for candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Upon obtaining employment, you will be issued a one-year provisional certification and be eligible for the professional certification after the successful completion of KTIP (see step 3) and one year of teaching.
You must successfully complete all program requirements within three years and pass all required assessments before entering the KTIP.
The Institute Alternative Route to Certification program is designed for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a professional or graduate degree. The degree must be related to physical education to qualify for this certification program. In addition, you must also complete all content knowledge examinations in physical education and have received an a job offer from a local school district for a physical education position. You can view approved alternative routes to certification programs here.
The TFA certification program is a pilot program in Kentucky that is focused on closing the achievement gaps among students in low-income areas. This program provides qualified individuals with a one-year temporary provisional certificate, which is renewable for a period of three years. Individuals who qualify for the TFA possess a bachelor’s degree and have an offer of employment from a local school district in physical education. Participation and training requirements must be met, and all content assessments in physical education must be passed.
Step 2. Complete all Required Examinations
If you have completed an approved educator preparation program or approved alternative certification program (not all approved alternative certification programs require the completion of examinations), you must take and pass the following PRAXIS examinations:
- Physical Education: Content and Design: Minimum score of 169; AND
- Principles of Learning and Teaching, Grades K-6: Minimum score of 160
OR
- Principles of Learning and Teaching, Grades 5-9, Minimum score of 160
OR
- Principles of Learning, Grades 7-12, Minimum score of 160
PRAXIS exams may be taken as a paper or computer examination, and you can register online for all examinations. You can also view upcoming test dates and nearby testing centers online.
Step 3. Apply for Your Kentucky PE Teaching Certification
Once you have satisfied all requirements for certification, you can apply for your initial certification by completing the TC-1 application form and sending it, along with your official transcripts, verification of your classroom teaching experience, your PRAXIS exam results, verification of your teacher preparation program, and a $50 money order or certified check (made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer) to:
Division of Certification
Education Professional Standards Board
100 Airport Road, 3rd floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Step 4. Complete a Kentucky PE Teacher Internship Program
The Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP) is designed to help new teachers have a positive and successful first year in the classroom. Your progress throughout the KTIP will be managed through the Intern Management System, an electronic system used to track the progress of all teachers in KTIP.
As you progress through the KTIP, you will demonstrate your performance of Kentucky’s Teacher Standards through the successful completion of three components:
- Classroom teaching
- Professional responsibilities
- Instructional unit
You can learn more about the KTIP by reading the KTIP Handbook or by viewing the program’s related training materials and resource information. The KTIP must be completed during the first year of your employment.
Step 5. Renew Your Kentucky PE Teaching Certification
Your initial Kentucky PE teaching certification is valid for a period of 5 years, during which time you must apply for and receive employment as a teacher in a Kentucky school. You must also successfully complete your KTIP.
Note: If you haven’t completed your KTIP during this time, you may renew your initial certification by either repeating the assessment program or completing a minimum of six graduate hours toward the completion of a graduate program.
To apply for your FIRST five-year renewal in Kentucky, you must complete the renewal application (TC-2 application), provide proof of the completion of at least 15 graduate hours, and provide proof of at least three years of teaching experience.
To apply for your SECOND five-year renewal, you must complete a master’s degree or an approved fifth-year program (32 graduate hours) and verify the completion of at least three years of teaching experience during the last five years.
To apply for SUBSEQUENT five-year renewals, you must provide proof of the completion of at least three years of teaching experience during the last five years or the completion of at least six semester hours of additional graduate credit.
Phys Ed Teacher Salary in Kentucky
Salary statistics published on the Kentucky Labor Market Information website, also known as KYLMI, indicate that the average Kentucky PE teacher salary is $57,128. Recently graduated PE teachers are likely to begin at the entry-level salary, which is $29,700 on average. On the other hand, PE teachers with many years of teaching experience are noted to average around $86,552 per year, which is 65.7% above entry-level and 34% above the statewide average.
So, there is a good amount of financial potential there. It’s also important to consider salary by location as income tends to be affected by region, as seen below:
Bluegrass Region
(Lexington, Georgetown, Winchester, Nicholasville, Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Midway)
Entry-Level: $34,161
Average: $61,769
Experienced: $88,481
Cumberland Valley
(Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley Counties)
Entry-Level: $41,316
Average: $49,654
Experienced: $60,656