This article was published in Teaching and Teacher Education, Volume 26, Issue 7,
Author(s): Donetta J. Cothran, Pamela Hodges Kulinna and Alex C. Garn, " Classroom Teachers and Physical Activity Integration", Pages 1381-1388, Copyright Elsevier (October 2010).
The current project examined teachers’ involvement in a curricular project to integrate physical activity into the school day.
23 teachers participated in this project. These teachers represented all grade levels and worked in schools that served Native American students in the United States.
Interviews occurred twice during the year-long project. Data were analyzed via constant comparison.
Findings reveal that teachers’ willingness to engage was influenced positively by caring about students and their own personal wellness history. Their engagement was impeded by institutional factors of scheduling and assessment pressures.
The results provide insights into how teachers might be persuaded to and prepared for the implementation of similar programs in new locations.