About Mrs. Patsavas

My name is Mrs. Tia Patsavas. I have had the pleasure of teaching the children of Palos West school physical education since 1994. I am a proud graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Applied Life Studies, and a Master’s degree from St. Xavier University in Teaching and Leadership. I am a graduate of School District 118 and Carl Sandburg High School and have resided in the Palos area my entire life.

Philosophy of Teaching Physical Education

Since young children have a natural enthusiasm for movement, it is my goal as physical education teacher to have this natural enthusiasm become an educated enthusiasm for movement that will last a lifetime. I accomplish this goal by providing engaging, meaningful and enjoyable movement experiences that teach children to become physically educated persons as described by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education.

My teaching experiences at the pre-school level and elementary school level have enabled me to become knowledgeable on child development. My developmentally age appropriate lessons enrich learning in all domains and include a variety of teaching strategies and adaptations to meet the needs of the diverse learner. I provide my students with opportunities to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to choose their own method to accomplish the learning outcome. As a teacher of a performance class, I am sensitive to my students' concerns, and create a risk-free environment where strengths are celebrated and challenges addressed. Healthy competition is presented in the form of a "challenge" where students are invited to challenge themselves by setting goals. Effort is highly valued in my class as is communication and cooperation. I respect and understand the differences in children and never lose sight that first, I teach children and second, I teach physical education. I develop a relationship with my students based on respect, compassion and cooperation. I feel a personal and professional responsibility to all of my students.

As a teacher, I strongly believe that I am responsible for assisting my students in discovering "how to learn". As a result, my focus is on the learning portion of the teaching-learning relationship in an effort to maximize student learning success and meet high expectations. I reflect on my lessons with this thought in mind -- did my students learn it rather than did I teach it? I continually assess the effects of my teaching in order to improve instruction and increase student learning so that each child can reach his or her personal maximum potential. I pride myself on my creativity and my ability to create lessons that have children learn while having fun. I am current with professional literature and attend workshops to remain knowledgeable and up to date with the latest research. I share my knowledge with colleagues to make cross-curricular connections, and with students and parents to keep them informed. I am passionate about teaching and believe fervently in the value of life-long education, especially physical education. I encourage my students through instruction and by example to be physically active every day for the rest of their lives so that they can live "healthily" and happily ever after.