Shekhar is a full-time Physical Education teacher with 21 years of experience, teaching in a secondary school. In addition to teaching, he is also a football coach and coach educator. Currently, he assists Sporting Clube de Goa in coaching their Under19 football team and he also conducts coaching diploma courses for the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Shekhar Kerkar's experience 

My PE lessons are inclusive, ensuring maximum participation and engagement. By incorporating competitive elements, I make sessions both enjoyable and dynamic. I maintain a balance between theoretical and practical components, emphasising not just physical activity but also values and life skills through sports. 

What I like most about teaching PE and coaching football is the opportunity to inspire and motivate others through my passion for sports. With a strong background as a player, transitioning into teaching and coaching has been incredibly rewarding. Working with students and elite players keeps me energized and fulfilled.

As a teacher and coach, I embrace being a role model for my students. I value the strong, healthy relationships and team bonds that we build together. Spending time on the field rather than confined to four walls creates opportunities to learn, share, and grow as a team.

The football field teaches invaluable life lessons—teamwork, resilience, empathy—that help individuals become better human beings. This transformative impact is why I deeply love my profession.

The training programme enhanced my ability to plan and prepare activities effectively. My observation skills improved significantly during the sessions, and I developed stronger time-management abilities. Additionally, my communication and presentation skills saw considerable growth, which has boosted my confidence.

I gained valuable knowledge on structuring and delivering sessions in an engaging and effective manner. The training also provided insights into teaching both PE and PSHE effectively, equipping me with the tools to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences. 

The Premier Skills training programme has been transformative for my teaching and coaching journey. From 2014 to 2017, I gained invaluable insights into teaching, coaching, and coach education. The SMILES and STEPS frameworks revolutionized the way I plan and execute my sessions, making them more structured and engaging.

The LEARNS acronym deepened my understanding of how adults learn differently, helping me adapt my approach when working with diverse groups. Additionally, the five-step teaching/coaching process enhanced my ability to break down session delivery effectively, ensuring that the desired outcomes are consistently achieved. 

I have seen a lot of changes in my students and the teachers I have trained, but one highlight is how student coaches who completed the Premier Skills community coaching courses have progressed to earning AFC Coaching Diplomas in our country. They are now effectively applying the knowledge and skills gained from the programme in their daily coaching sessions.

Learners have shown significant growth in self-confidence. Trainees who attended PLPS are now much more assured in their delivery of PE and PSHE lessons, creating a positive impact in their schools and communities.