Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), University of Texas at Austin

'Nuf said....

We think our physical education teachers (future and current) will appreciate this as well as anybody who believes plenty of time spent in unstructured, active play is critical to a child's mental and emotional development.

(You knew we were going to say this, but ...) We just happen to have one of the top national "importance-of-play" experts here in the College of Ed - Dr. JOE FROST - and he does cool stuff like consult nationwide on the design of developmentally appropriate playgrounds and play settings. We also have a professor - Dr. DARLA CASTELLI - who's a pioneer in the study of the relationship between obesity and cognitive health (FYI - her studies show obesity's a BAD thing for a child's brain) and the importance of keeping kids active. So there you go.

Has your school or community joined up with It's Time Texas?

Mayor Coleman Pflugerville 2013

The President released a signed Proclamation declaring September National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/30/presidential-proclamation-national-childhood-obesity-awareness-month-201
What will you be doing in your local community to help curb this national epidemic? Share your ideas here! Become a champion of physical activity in your school via Let's Move Active Schools! www.letsmoveschools.org

CDC shows child obesity rates slightly down. Good news, but still a long way to go!

CDC VitalSigns - Progress on Childhood Obesity: Many States Show Declines Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and suffer lifelong physical and mental health problems.

Horns Up! After 30 years of teaching tennis at UT Austin, Bob Haugen is retiring and has accepted the head tennis professional at the Arlington Tennis Center in Arlington, Texas. Bob will direct the adult and junior tennis program. "Tennis On" Bob! Congratulations!

Texas Ex Lauren Mikulencak, PE teacher at Pillow Elementary School in Austin Independent School District, is the recipient of TAHPERD Elementary Teacher of the Year Award! Congratulations Lauren!

Texas Ex Becca Lambdin-Abraham, PE teacher at Wooldridge Elementary School in the Austin Independent School District, is the recipient of TAHPERD Emerging Professional Award. Way to go Becca!

Congrats to our very special Dr. LARRY ABRAHAM on winning the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Ruth B. Glassow Biomechanics Honor. Dr. Abraham's research focuses on analysis of sport technique, changes in movement coordination related to motor skill development or neurological impairment, and basic neuromechanical determinants of human physical performance. Wonderful news!

Schools (should) share a lot of the responsibility when it comes to keeping kids healthy and active, says a new Institute of Medicine report written by our Dr. BILL KOHL and Dr. DARLA CASTELLI.

The College of Education - Schools Should Play Primary Role in Boosting Students' Physical Health A new report issued today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and developed by two University of Texas at Austin professors, says schools should play a key role in ensuring all students have the opportunity to engage in at least 60 minutes of vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity each day...

The CoE's Dr. DARLA CASTELLI is on the UT homepage right now in a story called "Moving for a Better Mind" - it includes a great video. The story's about how people (in this instance, kid people) NEED to move to experience healthy brain functioning. Check it out! - www.utexas.edu/know/2013/05/24/moving-for-a-better-mind/

Moving for a Better Mind « Know Darla Castelli is proving the link between fitness and brain function. Now she hopes to change attitudes about the importance of physical education. Watch a...

What Starts Here Changes the World!

2012-2013 PETE Graduates! Congratulations!