Physical Education

Why choose physical education at North Central College?

Among the strongest in the area, our physical education major is a rigorous program that produces teachers ready to lead premier physical education programs in K-12 schools. Immersed in the sciences and methods to promote lifelong fitness, our graduates are ready to help young people develop the skills, habits and attitudes that will promote their health and wellness. In addition to a K-12 certification program, field experiences are woven throughout the program as well as in-class demonstration of teaching techniques.

You can also:

Gain valuable teaching experience in some of the Midwest’s premier (and highest-paying) school districts.
Earn a health teaching endorsement as part of the corresponding health minor.
Join PECS, the student organization for physical education majors and health education minors.
Join the Student Leaders Association of Teacher Educators, which develops and implements special service projects and programs.

Bradley Crackel earns Outstanding Major in Physical Education Award

Bradley Crackel received the Outstanding Major in Physical Education Award during the 2013 Honors Convocation at North Central College.

Andrea Kovalsky and Kristen Brandenburg facilitate lessons with educators

Students present team-building sessions to local educators

North Central College students studying physical and health education present to K-12 educators at DuPage Regional Office of Education County Institute Day.

North Central College earns White House recognition for community service

North Central College has earned a spot on the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

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Internships

Girls' swim coach intern, Naperville North High School
Track & field coach intern, West Chicago High School
Intern, Ultimate Strength and Fitness, Bloomingdale, IL
Sports and programming intern, YMCA, Schaumburg, IL
Intern, Dixon Park District, Dixon, IL

Careers

Physical education graduates often find teaching positions in districts within a 30-mile radius of North Central, like:

Aurora and East Aurora School District 131
Chicago Public Schools
Naperville School District 203
Naperville Indian Prairie School District 204
Plainfield School District 202

Graduate Schools

Recent physical education graduates have been accepted at:

University of Iowa
Syracuse University
McGill University
University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign

Kathleen "Katie" Stratton

Physical Education major

Before transferring from large universities, Katie focused on swimming alone and had no idea what she wanted to do. “But North Central balances academics and athletics so perfectly and helps you focus on what you will do for life,” she says.

Katie has discovered she wants to teach physical education. “I’ve always been active and had a passion for keeping kids healthy and fit.” She added minors in secondary education and wellness with a health endorsement.

A member of North Central’s swim team, she partnered with her coach to start a noncompetitive program that teaches swim techniques and conditioning. She also volunteers her time to coach swim teams at a Naperville high school and is head coach at...

Michael Giaquinto

Physical Education major

At North Central, Michael immersed himself in as many opportunities as possible, from competing in football and track and field to serving in the classroom. He worked in adaptive physical education (PE) classes with middle- and high-school special-needs students and loved it. He watched them compete at Special Olympics and hopes his future employment includes similar work.

He especially enjoyed teaching in different school environments. “At one high school, I gave lessons in two of my passions - weight training and exercise science. I’ll be doing my student teaching in PE at a middle school and volunteering as a football coach at a high school. What fun experiences!”

Michael plans to teach...

Chris Ranallo

Physical Education major

Chris had discovered a passion for working with children and a love for teaching before his arrival at North Central. He found the physical education department was the ideal environment to nurture his passion and develop his skills in preparation for a teaching career. “At a small school like North Central, you have the opportunity to really get to know the faculty and staff. They create a warm and welcoming environment and want to create those personal relationships with students.”

In addition to his academic work and internships with the boys’ and girls’ swimming programs at nearby Naperville North High School, Chris was also the College’s student body president as a senior. “There are so many...

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