The goal of physical education is to increase a student's knowledge, skills, and desire to live a healthy and physically active life.  We strive to provide a safe environment where all students feel comfortable and successful as they participate in activities that promote fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

What is Physical Education?

A quality physical education program provides purposeful physical activity to all children to teach them the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle. The program is taught by a certified and trained Physical Education teacher who uses a variety of learning opportunities, appropriate and sequential instruction, with meaningful and challenging content for all children. A Physical education teacher assesses student knowledge, motor and social skills, and provides instruction in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Students must be scheduled for 45 mins of physical education for a minimum of 4 days per week, taught by a certified PE teacher. Per TEA guidelines, students must receive a total of 135 minutes of structured, TEKS-based physical activity each week. The AISD Elementary PE model allows for a minimum of 180 minutes per week with the possibility of more depending on the campus schedule.

We strive to provide a safe environment where all students feel comfortable and successful as they participate in activities that promote fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Our curriculum includes units such as throwing and catching, rhythm, dribbling, gymnastics/parkour, striking, and volleying. 

Laura Williams, M.Ed.
Physical Education

laura.williams@austinisd.org | 512-414-2013

Our physical education teacher, Coach Williams, brings energy, kindness, and a big heart to every PE class.  With a warm smiles and open approach, her classes are full of fun, positivity, and team spirit.  Coach Williams creates an inclusive and encouraging environment where all students feel supported, valued, and motivated to participate, grow, and have fun through movement.

Coach Williams was born and raised in Pennsylvania and found her way to Texas through her service in the United States Army.  She graduated from American Military University with an Associate's Degree in General Studies and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.  Coach Williams also earned her Master's Degree in Education and Teaching from Texas A&M.  Coach enjoys spending all of her free time with her two sons.   She also loves going to the beach, playing and watching sports, and spending time exploring new areas.

Rebecca Matson
Physical Education Teacher Assistant

rebecca.matson@austinisd.org | 512-414-2013

Coach Matson is in her 28th year of teaching and her third year at Barton Hills on the Physical Education Team.  Prior to coming to Barton Hills, Coach Matson was a Career and Technical Education teacher, teaching middle school Culinary Arts, and retired from AISD after 26 years of teaching.  She found her way to BHE as a substitute, and we were so happy when she decided to join the team full time!

Coach Matson is a proud Texas Tech Red Raider!  She graduated with a Bachelors of Family and Consumer Science.  She loves to bake and teach others how to bake. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and adult twin sons, gardening, sewing and taking her dog Rusty for walks through the park.