Physical Education
Teachers
Teachers![]()
Teachers
| Name | Classes Taught | Phone Ex. | Webpage | |
|
Ms.Bell
|
Physical Education
|
4633
|
Check out Coach Bell's webpage |
|
| Ms. Gilson | Physical Education | 4633 | Check out Coach Gilson's webpage | |
|
Mr. Kuehl
|
Physical Education | 4637 | Check out Coach Kuehl's webpage | |
| Ms. Lane | ISPE | |||
|
Mr. Olson
PE Dept. Chair
|
Physical Education
|
4632
|
Check out Coach Olson's webpage
|
|
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) CURRICULUM
8th Grade
At Pacific Trails Middle School, our Mindful Monday Social Emotional Learning program—integrated into our Physical Education curriculum—is more than just a lesson; it's a weekly investment in developing stronger, more compassionate, and emotionally aware students. Each Monday, students engage with meaningful topics like managing stress and anxiety, building healthy relationships, understanding the power of words, developing resilience, and taking ownership of their choices. We also explore real-life skills, such as the importance of quality sleep and personal safety through our self-defense unit, where students learn that awareness is one of the most powerful tools to help protect themselves—especially as they prepare for the greater independence that comes with high school. These lessons help students grow not only as individuals but as members of a community—equipping them to face everyday challenges with confidence, empathy, and purpose.
The impact of this program is clear. According to our 2024–25 8th grade student survey, 76% reported feeling more resilient when facing tough situations. An impressive 90% saw value in our sleep education unit, and 85% said the lessons on facing adversity, anxiety, and stress helped them during their 8th grade year. The self-defense unit stood out as well, with 91% of students reporting that they found it highly valuable. Most powerfully, 73% of students said they have used strategies from the curriculum to become a better version of themselves. These results show the lasting impact of Mindful Monday—a program rooted in preparing students not just for school, but for life.
At Pacific Trails Middle School, our 8th Grade Physical Education program is grounded in both the California Physical Education Standards and the National SHAPE America Standards. We design every unit to be engaging, developmentally appropriate, and rooted in real-world movement skills—offered in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Students rotate through units in the gym, field, MPR, and blacktop that include resistance training, Over the Line, track and field, rugby, tumbling, tchoukball, square dance, ultimate frisbee, outdoor adventure education, and volleyball. A cornerstone of our program is beginning each block day with a challenging Workout of the Day (WOD) that allows for modifications and progress tracking—building student accountability and ownership in their personal fitness journey.
Another major highlight is our Fitness Lab, which gives students the opportunity to select specific fitness skills they want to focus on and track over time. Popular choices include vertical jump, sled push, med-ball bomb, 40-yard dash, agility drills, and various track distances. Students log their performance and track progress throughout the year—helping them see tangible improvements and set meaningful goals. Starting next year, we’re excited to introduce a speed gun so students can measure how fast they’re running, adding another layer of fun and motivation. Whether it’s through team games, personal fitness, or leadership opportunities, everything we do is centered around helping students grow into the strongest, most confident versions of themselves as they prepare for high school and beyond.
** Check out our PTMS PE classes on Instagram! ** 
PLC Work (teachers only)
