Browsing by Author "Egan, Cate A."

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A Grassroots Initiative to Engage Classroom Teachers in Increasing Physical Activity
(Human Kinetics, 2024-03) Orendorff, Karie L.; Merica, Christopher B.; Egan, Cate A.
Purpose: Classroom-based physical activity (PA) provides students the opportunity to achieve PA recommendations. However, limited research has examined grassroots efforts for classroom-based PA. The purpose of this study was to share the story of a grassroots initiative to increase PA during school, titled the 150 Project. Methods: Narrative inquiry was used to draw on participants shared experiences to bring the story into existence. Individual interviews were conducted (n = 4, project developers; n = 9, elementary classroom teachers). Interview data were coded to reveal connections and relationships between the participants’ stories to form a narrative. Results: The narrative is told by explaining (a) challenge (achieve PA recommendations), (b) action steps (project design), (c) outcomes (student, teacher, and school), and (d) moral of the story (need valid data and increased advocacy for during-school PA). Discussion/Conclusion: The 150 Project successfully trained classroom teachers to increase PA and advocate for PE, but the project is unsustainable without additional support systems.
Association of Physical Educators’ Socialization Experiences and Confidence with Respect to Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Implementation
(MDPI AG, 2022-09) Merica, Christopher Barton; Egan, Cate A.; Webster, Collin A.; Mindrila, Diana; Karp, Grace Goc; Paul, David R.; Orendorff, Karie Lee
Comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAPs) are recommended to support physical education (PE) and increase the amount of physical activity (PA) youth receive each day. However, adoption of CSPAPs in the United States is low. PE teachers are well positioned to lead the implementation of CSPAPs, but research is needed to better understand (a) PE teachers’ confidence to assume the multiple roles involved with CSPAP implementation and (b) the factors that are associated with such confidence. This study examined PE teachers’ role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE) as a measure of PE teachers’ CSPAP-related confidence and its association with seminal life experiences as framed within teacher socialization theory. A survey was emailed to a stratified-random sample of 2976 PE teachers and distributed on social media, garnering a total of 259 responses. Exploratory structural equation modeling supported a three-factor solution for teacher socialization variables (acculturation, professional socialization and organizational socialization), in line with the theoretical framework, and a single factor solution for RBSE. Professional socialization and organizational socialization were significant predictors of RBSE, and qualitative data from open-ended survey questions supported these relationships. The results highlight the importance of preservice teacher education and current employment contexts in PE teachers’ CSPAP-related confidence.
Community Partnership Strategies to Facilitate Service-Learning Opportunities in PETE K–12 Schools
(Taylor & Francis, 2024-03) Egan, Cate A.; Orendorff, Karie L.; Merica, Christopher B.
University and local K-12 school partnerships are essential for physical education teacher education (PETE) programs, as they provide valuable avenues for practicum and student teaching experiences. In addition, practicums within K-12 schools provide valuable opportunities for PETE students to develop physical activity leadership skills. Thus, it is essential to create sustainable and mutually beneficial university and school partnerships. One way to do so is through service-learning, which focuses on equal partnerships between K-12 schools, the university, and other parties involved (e.g., university students, community members). However, it can be challenging to develop meaningful field and service-learning experiences for pre-service teachers (PST) due to a myriad of reasons (e.g., location, resources). This article discusses strategies for community, K-12 school, and university partnerships using a service-learning approach. Recommendations for developing sustainable partnerships are also provided.