Welcome to another episode of the PE Insights podcast, in which Nathan Walker dives into discussions on physical education. In this episode, we explore the journey and insights of Andy Vasily, an inspirational coach, leader and physical educator.
Journey into International Education
The podcast begins by tracing the Andy’s journey from Ontario, Canada, to diverse teaching roles across Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, and Saudi Arabia. Starting from a conventional setting, he transitioned into the international school circuit, finding fulfilment and expanding his pedagogical horizons in Hiroshima, Japan.
Influence of Personal History
Andy’s personal narrative reveals a challenging upbringing marked by family dysfunction and personal struggles with depression and anxiety. Physical activity played a crucial role in redirecting his life, fostering a deep appreciation for movement that now shapes his educational philosophy.
Embracing Meaningful Physical Education (PE)
Throughout his career, Andy has championed meaningful PE experiences that prioritise personal relevance, social interaction, challenge, and motor competence. His innovative approaches, such as the cycling unit, exemplify his commitment to engaging students through self-assessment and exploration of diverse terrains.
Instructional Coaching and Consultation in Saudi Arabia
Settling into a pedagogical coaching role in Saudi Arabia, Andy delved into instructional coaching and consulting. His focus on enhancing PE and student engagement through movement underscores his belief in fostering joyful and beneficial physical activities.
Reflective Practices and Student Agency
Central to his teaching philosophy are reflective practices and democratic approaches that empower student agency and autonomy. He emphasises the importance of teachers understanding their intrinsic motivations and barriers, and identifying barriers to learning.
Collaborative Research and Professional Growth
Collaborative efforts with researchers have enriched Andy’s practice, ensuring that his methods are both effective and grounded in research. His coaching philosophy prioritises teacher well-being and professional fulfilment to optimise conditions for student learning.
Grappling with Standards and Outcomes
Andy emphasises the importance of balancing standards and outcomes with the limited time available for teaching. He suggests that while standards and outcomes are crucial guideposts, the focus should be on creating conditions where all learners can find their entry point, especially the lowest level students. Engaging students in various subjects, whether it be music, art, reading, or physical activity, is essential.
Differentiation and Entry Points
To illustrate effective teaching, Andy describes a setup in his gym where eight different entry points for learning were created for a racquet sports unit. These ranged from the most advanced forms to simplified versions, ensuring that all students could participate according to their skill levels. He highlights the importance of not forcing students to play at levels where they might fail, and instead offering appropriate challenges that allow them to engage meaningfully.
Autonomy and Social Interaction
Andy shares his approach to balancing autonomy and structured learning. He acknowledges that some students prioritise social interaction over skill development and allows them to choose their level of participation. This flexibility helps maintain their engagement and respects their autonomy, even if it means they might not progress as quickly in skill development.
Importance of Exit Tickets
Andy advocates for the consistent use of exit tickets to assess student engagement and learning. These reflections provide valuable feedback that can inform future lessons. He emphasises that acting on this feedback is crucial for building a culture of honesty and continuous improvement in the classroom.
Open-mindedness and Critical Dialogue
Expressing frustration with the lack of open-mindedness on social media, Andy urges educators to be open to critical dialogue about their practices. He believes that respectful, curious conversations about pedagogy are essential for growth and learning and should be modelled even in brief social media interactions.
Conclusion: Commitment to Student-Centred Education
The podcast highlights Andy’s dedication to creating student-centred PE experiences and supporting teachers’ professional growth across diverse cultural and educational landscapes. Summarising his key messages, Andy highlights the importance of understanding one’s teaching identity, consistently differentiating to meet diverse student needs, and using reflective practices to enhance learning experiences. He encourages educators to be aware of their own relationship with success and failure and to continuously seek ways to create meaningful, engaging experiences for all students.
About the Guest
Today’s episode is a conversation with the inspirational Andy Vasily. Andy is a coach, leader and physical educator. You can read more about his fantastic work at www.andyvasily.com. You can connect with Andy directly via X at @andyvasily
Listen and Connect
To listen to the full episode please follow these links to Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you would like to be a guest on the PE Insights Podcast please reach out by contacting us here or reach out to Nathan Walker via X at @NWalkerPE
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