Maintaining professional competence and well-being at work among aging physical education teachers
Keywords:
physical education teachers, professional skills, professional growth, well-being at work, agingAbstract
This article examines resources that aging physical education (PE) teachers can use to maintain their professional skills and well-being at work throughout their careers. Theme interviews, which were conducted with six University of Jyväskylä graduate PE teachers over 55 years of age, identified that PE teachers develop their professional skills mainly by attending various short skill training courses. The transfer of the skills and knowledge learned in recreational sports activities to practical teaching was also seen as a significant way to develop PE teachers’ professional skills, while acquiring new expertise helped PE teachers modify their work and reform their work methods. This empowered and significantly increased PE teachers’ ability to cope with their workload and improved their well-being at work. Professional reflection with colleagues and other physical education experts was also assessed as a means of professional development. Interviewees were concerned about not being able to participate regularly in courses that promote their professional competence. Therefore, the recommendation for PE teachers’ professional development is to further utilise education and learning opportunities to best support their well-being at work throughout their careers.
