O caminho de regresso: A Construção da identidade de um Professor de Educação Física

Abstract

This School Placement Report describes the journey undertaken during the Professional School Placement of the Master's Degree in Teaching Physical Education in Basic and Secondary Education, providing an opportunity to reflect on the experiences, challenges, and learning that shaped this stage of my academic and professional development. Inspired by the concept of Deslocado, which serves as a metaphor for my journey, this report represented not only a return to my roots but also a rediscovery of the profession I chose and the progressive construction of my identity as a future Physical Education teacher. Rather than simply describing the activities carried out, this report highlighted a process of personal and professional transformation, during which my initial expectations gave way to increasing confidence, autonomy, and a deeper awareness of the complexity of the teaching profession. Throughout the internship, I consolidated pedagogical and didactic knowledge through the planning, delivery, and assessment of different instructional units, as well as through participation in activities promoted by the Physical Education Department and the School Sports Programme. These experiences contributed to the development of a wide range of competencies essential to the teaching profession. This journey was also marked by overcoming challenges related to meeting students' individual needs, classroom management, student assessment, and the implementation of inclusive teaching strategies. In parallel, I conducted a research study on students' attitudes towards the inclusion of peers with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Physical Education classes. The study explored a topic that emerged from my teaching practice and reinforced the importance of promoting genuinely inclusive educational environments. In summary, this report represented the culmination of a learning journey that extended beyond the technical dimension of the profession, reflecting the progressive construction of my identity as a Physical Education teacher. Just as the concept of Deslocado symbolises a journey of searching and returning, this internship represented a process of personal and professional growth, leading me from initial uncertainty to the confidence required to embrace my identity as a future Physical Education teacher.