Physical Education and Health
Physical Education Mission Statement
Physical Education provides an individualized, developmentally appropriate, and personally challenging instructional program that advances the student’s knowledge, confidence, skills, and motivation to engage in a lifelong, healthy and physically active lifestyle. The goal of physical education is for each student to set and achieve personally challenging fitness goals and apply higher-order thinking skills to the scientific principles of human movement.
Typical 9th Grade Course Sequence
Physical Education is recommended to be taken during 9th grade
We highly encourage students to take Physical Education during all 4 years of high school
Physical Education Courses
Dance for Physical Education Credit
This is a concentrated Physical Education class designed for students wanting an introduction into jazz, lyrical, modern, ballet, and hip-hop styles of dance. Students will learn to perform and choreograph routines that improve cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and overall fitness.
Strength and Conditioning
This is an introductory course emphasizing basic weight training methods and cardiovascular programs. Students will receive instruction in proper safety protocols, maintenance of equipment, and development of overall physical conditioning.
Workouts are 3 days per week.
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
This course is an extension of the beginner’s strength and conditioning course. It includes rigorous instruction in strength training principles, kinesiology, biometrics, and physiology of exercise. Students will plan and develop their own physical conditioning programs.
Workouts are 4 days per week.
Prerequisite: Beginners Strength and Conditioning, Total Fitness, or PE teacher/coach recommendation.
Basketball for Beginners
This introductory course instructs students in basic fundamentals, rules of play, examining game strategy and tactics, and overall physical conditioning.
Advanced Basketball
This course includes instruction in intermediate/advanced skills, offensive and defensive strategies, and continued development of fitness. Students perform in drills, game situations and tournaments.
Prerequisite: Beginners Basketball, member of an organized team, or instructor’s permission.
Total Fitness
This course instructs students in activities such as step-aerobics, and strength training. Workouts will include strength, cardio, core and stability training that utilizes full body movements and coordination.
Street Hockey/Floor Hockey
This course emphasizes instruction in basic individual and team street hockey/floor hockey fundamentals, offensive and defensive strategies, rules of play, and overall physical conditioning. Students perform in drills, games situations, and tournaments.
Football and Soccer
This course emphasizes instruction in basic individual and team football and soccer fundamentals, offensive and defensive strategies/tactics, rules of play and overall physical conditioning. Students perform in drills, game situations and tournaments.
Volleyball
This course instructs students in basic individual volleyball fundamental skills, offensive and defensive strategies and tactics, and current rules of play. Students perform in drills, game situations and tournaments.
General Physical Education 1 and 2
This course emphasizes a development of an overall wellness program utilizing a variety of sport-based programs to teach fitness/skill themes and concepts.
Health Education Philosophy
The secondary Health Education program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to help them make healthful decisions—both now and in the future. Through the implementation of an effective, comprehensive health education instructional program, students will develop the life skills needed to enhance their potential for achieving academic success and attaining healthier, happier, and more productive lives. Developing knowledge of accurate health information is essential, but practicing health-related skills in real-life situations and developing healthful behaviors are the ultimate goals of the program.
One-half credit of Health Education is required for graduation. This course is typically offered during the 10th grade year.
Courses currently being offered in Health Education are:
- Comprehensive Health Education
- Comprehensive Health Education, Honors
- Family Life and Human Development (elective for Juniors and Seniors—does not count towards ½ credit graduation requirement)
Health Course Descriptions
Comprehensive Health Education [7835]
Students learn factual health information and develop lifetime skills in mental health; tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs; personal and consumer health; nutrition and fitness; safety and injury prevention; family life and human sexuality; and disease prevention and control. Although this course is required for graduation, parental permission must be specifically provided for students under the age of 18 to participate in family life and human sexuality and HIV/STI prevention.
Comprehensive Health Education, Honors [7841]
This course is a rigorous approach and extension of Comprehensive Health Education. Current trends and issues in this field are taught using science, the media and technology. This course is NOT an elective and may not be taken for credit if a student has successfully completed Comprehensive Health Education. This course meets the state ½ credit Health Education graduation requirement.
Family Life and Human Development [7833]
Students develop a greater understanding of how family relationships and human sexuality have an impact on individual health and society. Topics include interpersonal relationships; economics of family life; responsibilities of marriage and parenting; pregnancy prevention; pregnancy and childbirth; and sexually transmitted infections. Due to the nature of his course, parental permission is required for students under18. This course does not meet the Health Education graduation requirement.
Physical Education and Health Staff Office Hours
Resource Teacher: Teresa Shatzer Teresa_Shatzer@mcpsmd.org
301-388-9967
All Health and Phys. Ed. teachers will be available before and after school hours, as well as during LAP, for student assistance. We will also be available by appointment.
Staff Bios
Michelle Chestnut
Michelle began teaching at Paint Branch in 2001. She is a graduate of the Paint Branch High School Class of 1990 and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1994. In her free time, Ms. Chestnut enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, hanging out with friends and family, traveling, boating, and photography.
Tommy Rey
He began teaching at Paint Branch in 2004. He attended Paint Branch Elementary School. His High School Mascot was a Panther and his college colors were maroon and gold. His wife, Valerie is a Paint Branch Alumni, class of 1995. He played baseball for Salisbury University, class of 1999. He coaches Varsity Baseball and enjoys watching football and long walks on the beach.
Tim Gilchrist
Tim began teaching in 2003. He is a 2003 graduate from James Madison University where he studied Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education and Health Education. Along with teaching Tim coaches boy’s junior varsity basketball and varsity baseball. When Tim is not teaching or coaching he enjoys playing golf, hanging out with friends and spending time with his wife Johnna.
Amber Clair Perkins
Amber started working at Paint Branch High School in August of 2004, and joined the PE Department in 2009. Miss Perkins teaches Dance and General PE as well as Theatre. Miss Perkins is the director of Paint Branch Perspectives, Paint Branch High School’s drama club and the sponsor of the book club. She graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and is active in community theater.
Cecilia Buhl
Cecilia began teaching at Paint Branch in 2009. She is a 2008 graduate of SUNY Cortland in upstate New York where she swam competitively and studied Health Education. In addition to teaching Health Ed and Volleyball, Cecilia coaches the JV Volleyball Team and Swim Team at Paint Branch. She moved to Maryland two years ago from Binghamton, New York and currently lives in Baltimore. Cecilia loves going to concerts, working out and living in the city.
Teresa Shatzer
Teresa started teaching Health Education at Paint Branch in 1997. She graduated from Paint Branch H.S. in 1992 and from the University of Maryland in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education. She is happily married and has two amazing sons. For relaxation she enjoys cooking and trying out new restaurants. Her favorite place to be is at the beach!
Heather Podosek
Heather was named the Athletic Director in 2010 and has been teaching at Paint Branch since 2001. She completed her Bachelor degree in 1983 from George Mason University where she played basketball. In 1994, Heather graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a master’s degree in Kinesiology. An avid boater, she enjoys her time on her boat with family and friends.