Who wants to be a Physical Education Teacher? A Case Study of a Non-traditional Undergraduate Student in a Physical Education Teacher Education Program

Forty percent of undergraduate students are non-traditional students. The purpose of this study was to identify what attracted the participant to physical education, identify what situational/social factors facilitated the career choice, and the beliefs of the participant about what it meant to be a physical educator. The study consisted of one male non-traditional student. Artifacts, observation, and interview methods were employed to gain an understanding of why the participant wanted to become a physical educator and what were the beliefs of the participant about physical education teaching or teachers. Findings indicated the participant was attracted to physical education by his love for physical activity, sport, and the chance to work with youth. His socialization into physical education was influenced by situational and social factors, such as positive experiences with a teacher/coach, positive support of family and friends, and his strong beliefs/values for physical education/teaching.