This week for the #FeaturedPETeacher section on the PE Central Facebook page, the spotlight is on Michelle Mangels!

About Michelle:

I am the Physical Education and Health teacher at Byram Intermediate School in New Jersey. I currently teach grades 5th -7th and I love it. I teach 200 students. We are on an A/B schedule, so I teach 100 students on an A day and a different 100 students on a B day. I have been teaching at the same school for 12 years.

Current Lesson Plan/Unit: 

I am currently teaching flag football to all my students. I really love it, especially because all of the kids love playing. The students in my class that are involved in football get to be helpers and teach other students the skills that they are already proficient in. I love seeing my students become the teachers. When I break the kids into small teams to compete with each other, it is very student-centered. The students are in charge of keeping track of the downs, plays, and touchdowns. I enjoy watching the students grow during the unit.

PE Focus for 2018:

My focus this year is bringing literacy into the physical education classroom. After students finish their warmup, we discuss a novel they are reading. Other times, I have them post their favorite type of book, or turn and talk to someone on the line about a book. I am really focusing on the students’ understanding that it is important to exercise their mind and body. I have also created a small library for my students, so they can check books out from the gym!

Favorite Lesson Plan/Unit:

My favorite lesson to teach is badminton. I enjoy teaching badminton because it is a lifelong sport and students can use the skills forever. Another reason I enjoy badminton is because I wrote a grant in order for my school to receive it.

What is your favorite part about being a PE teacher?

My favorite part about being a PE teacher is that I have the students for several years so I get to see them grow and change year. I am able to really get to know my students!

Is there a program, event, or anything else you’d like to highlight related to your PE program?

This year I started using Plickers in my class. My students and I are loving how easy and fast it is to do formative assessment. Everyone knows their plicker number and can just go grab it, answer the question quickly, and I can see their level of understanding. I would recommend Plickers to any PE teacher that is currently not using them!