Become a Teacher

Modifying physical activities to meet the unique needs of children and adults with disabilities is a passion for adapted physical educators (APE). At ECU courses such as EXSS 3906, 5303 and 5903 provide future physical educators, special educators, recreation therapists, and other allied health professionals skills to design and implement adapted activity programs. On-campus APE practica afford students the opportunity to refine techniques for teaching physical fitness, fundamental motor skills as well as individual and group games to children with disabilities. Many students augment their experience with coaching Special Olympians, teaching adapted swimming and volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding center. If you aspire to teach children with disabilities and like physical activities come join us!

jim decker

Jim Decker, PhD
Associate Professor, Physical Education
Minges 175
252-328-0001
DeckerJ@ecu.edu

Welcome to East Carolina University's Gateway for Teacher Education! ECU has a long tradition of excellence in education and our teachers are the keystone of that tradition. ECU's reputation as a national leader in education is well known, as is the fact that North Carolina has more National Board Certified teachers than any other state. But we need more teachers—over 10,000 a year for the next 10 years! And we want to help our current teachers grow professionally, too. Become a Teacher at ECU was designed specifically to help meet these needs.

Use the links below to find what you need.

I am a high school student interested in a career in teaching.

I am an undeclared undergraduate student interested in education.

I am a community college student interested in transferring into an education program.

I am a college graduate or a mid-career professional with a four-year degree interested in a career in teaching.