The Coconino sun., 1925-09-11
THE CoCoNINO SUN

teachers for the rural schools. the
board Of education authorized the or
ganization of three specialized, de
partments, as follows:
1. Department of physical educa-
tion, health and coaching, with three
and four-year courses.
2. Department of public school
music, with three and four-year
courses.
g. Department of rural education,
with two, three and four-year courses.
From the above it is obvious that
the college is now entering upon
new era and entering an enlarged
field of usefulness, with a construc-
tive program for the betterment of
the schools, not only of Arizona, but
Of the entire southwest as we'll.
Department Cf Physical Education,
Health, and Coaching
One of the most important questions
the high school graduate has to an
swer is, "What is my life work to
be 2" And the correct answer will de-
termine in large measure the success
and happiness of the Individual. There
is no more tragic situation than that
of man tied down for life to job he
hates Such condition makes a drudge
of the worker and drudgery of his
work On the other hand, there is
nothing finer than to see man work
ing at task, occupation or profess
sion that his heart is in. AS a rule it
brings success and happiness to the
individual. Everyone should select as
his profession or occupation that work
which harmonizes with his greatest
interest and ability. There is no finer
field Of work for young men and
women interested in athletics and all
/ recreational activities, than that of
teaching physical education and coach
| ing athletics in the grades and high
schools Of the nation-the men teach
ing the boys and the women teaching
the girls.
+ No longer is the question "Shall
physical education be taught?" but
How shall it be taught ?" To this
( there is but one reply: I'VE must have
trained teachers"
Athletes who could play football
baseball and basketball in college were
early to be had and some of these
athletes were formerly placed in
charge of the physical education and
coaching. They often did fairly good
work as coaches, but seldom knew
anything about physical education and
other recreational work. AS result
of their special ability we have had
fine athletic teams in most of the
high schools of standing, but little
else. The few have been trained in a
special kirfd Of work-a training that
they needed much less than the great
majority of students who were merely
permitted to stand on side lines and
witness the games.
This statement does not underesti-
mate the value of athletics, but is in
tended to emphasize the fact that ath-
Ietics and physical education are not
synonymous terms. Athletics are but
one branch of physical education-a
branch that has its value as we'll as
its limitations.
This confusion of terms for some
time led people to underrate the value
of physical education, but gradually
they came to realize that physical
education is broader in meaning. 1t
means rather the making of healthy
men and women who are strong NOR
I ally, physically and mentally, of all
the boys and girls-the training of
the many in physical education, re-
creation and health as well as the
few in athletics. It means a clean
mind in clean body. Physical edu-
cation and health programs provide
for the training Of all the boys and
girls in the laws of right living.
/ With this altruistic purpose of ply
sical education clearly in mind, it is
obvious then that we must have
trained teachers to do the work. This
need has been recognized in 33 states.
/ Laws requiring the teaching of physi-
cal education, including athletics and
other recreational activities, and
health, have been passed by the legis
latures of these states. The astonish-
ing growth of organized play, and the
establishment of Fairgrounds through
out the country, is proof that trained
men and women are needed to do the
work. As result Of this growth, the
| demand for trained teachers of ply
sical education, coaches and play
| ground supervisors exceeds the sup
/ ply. Young men and women interest
ed in athletics and other recreational
activities, who must soon choose a life
profession, will find physical educa-
ton and related work not only inter-
esting, but profitable as we'll. It is
difficult to find calling more worthy
of ones life effort and interest. 1t is
a noble profession.
The physical director, because of his
close association and contact with pu-
pill and student, must be a person of
good moral character, high ideals, and
forecful personality. He must exert
corrective and wholesome influence
upon the habits and morals of the stu
dents. He must possess initiative,
tact, and executive ability. He must
be able to teach, lead, and advise in
all questions pertaining to hygiene,
health and physical education.
1t is advisable for the physical di-
rector to develop ability in athletics,
skill in gymnastics, grace in dancing,
and be able to present these various
activities in logical, pedagogical and
systematic way. A thorough ground
ing in principles and methods of
teaching is imperative. The physical
director should cultivate a spirit of
helpfulness and co-operation which are
4 so essential to a strong professional