Thirdspace Movement Concepts in Physical Education Teacher Education

Abstract

In this age of racial inequality, dehumanization, social unrest, and calls for social justice, society needs an educational space in schools that emphasizes awareness of self and diverse others and acceptance practices. Expanding the higher education PETE curriculum to include movements and activities that place students as subjects of their own first-person subjective experiences will lead to the cultivation of mindfulness, motivation, and meaning within social, historical, and cultural contexts, and promote positive connections with self and others. The authors introduce a Thirdspace with practical strategies related to PETE programmatic reform that draws upon Eastern and Western movement forms that can lead to self-awareness, humanization, inner peace, and respect for others.