About Me

Hey y'all, my name is Jessica, otherwise known as the Sassy PE Teacher! I love teaching health and physical education and writing has always been a secondary passion of mine. Combining the two into this blog has been a goal of mine for sometime and I'm thrilled to be sharing ideas, lessons, and freebies with you all.

I grew up in the suburbs outside of Richmond, VA before attending Radford University for my undergraduate degree. I majored in Exercise, Sport, and Health Education {ESHE} and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education (2012). I continued my studies at the University of Virginia and earned a Masters in Education with a focus in Kinesiology and Pedagogy (2013).

I received my first teaching position in September 2013 at a Title 1 charter school in rural North Carolina and taught sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students for the first two years of my career. When I first arrived to my school they had little to no equipment. I was able to fund raise over $4,000 to purchase equipment for my students. In my first year, I created a curriculum design for sixth through ninth grade health and physical education. I was also the head coach for JV girls basketball and co-head coach for JV boys and girls soccer.

With a heavy heart, I chose to leave my first school in North Carolina to return home to Virginia. At the time of my departure I had no job offers despite having applications in with 10+ districts and independent schools. I finally received a call for an interview at the middle school I attended as a child and could not have been more thrilled. I was offered the position the next day and have loved being apart of this team ever since.

I currently teach coed sixth and seventh grade health and physical education, adapted physical education for our autism and ID program, as well as Fit for Life for eighth grade girls. In my free time, I am the head coach for the boys and girls cross country teams and the head coach for the girls soccer team.

I have a passion for soccer as a player and coach. I've played since I was four years old and am still active in adult indoor soccer leagues today. Coaching is truly a passion of mine and I've found that coaching middle school athletes is incredibly rewarding. The impact a coach has on kids this age can directly effect the rest of their lives in sport and I'm proud to encourage and support them to reach their goals.

Outside of teaching, I have a wonderful fiance and two perfect cats. I've always wanted pets, but growing up we did not have any. I love having two perfect little fur balls to come home to everyday. I also enjoy running in my spare time and have completed two half marathons in the past year with the intent to complete two more half marathons in 2017, as well as a full. I love running in local races to show my students and athletes the importance of fitness and community involvement.