Ready… 5, 6, 7, 8 Go! That is how I start so many of my fitness activities as I sync them up with the music. As a secondary physical education teacher at Highland High School in Highland Indiana, I haven’t met a sport or activity that I didn’t like. But… fitness is my mo-jo, my passion, my zeal, my mission, … and I would even go so far as to say, my calling. When I was 14 years old, I was struck by a car and hospitalized for a month. I learned at an early age what a genuine blessing it was to have a healthy body and the true joy of movement. Needless to say, I became a physical education teacher to help others appreciate their own unique fitness levels and to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of others.
One of the main reasons I also enjoy fitness instruction is because I enjoy helping students realize what they are capable of when they feel better about their bodies. As physical education teachers, we have the gift of being able to reach so many students through P.E. classes, giving us the opportunity to create an enjoyable experience for our students, while improving their health, wellness, and self-confidence. We also have the opportunity to educate our students about their health and fitness, and to provide creative, yet science-based information that they can use to take ownership of their well-being.
Here are the different fitness activities that I participate in myself: Pilates reformer, bungee, yoga, slider boards, aerial yoga, yoga Pilates, rebounder, and step. My husband would go so far as to say our house is a multi-dimensional health club! Because of the variety of the activities I do, I have the ability to design and deliver meaningful fitness experiences, while helping my students move better and function more efficiently. Not just during the workouts, but also while enjoying the many activities of daily life.
Also, because I am knowledgeable and active in many facets of exercise, it enables me to offer a more versatile and well-rounded fitness curriculum. I can teach a variety of different formats ranging from yoga to slider boards, with fitness stations that keep students learning, and trying new fitness activities and equipment.
I try and continually learn and grow as a physical education teacher in a field that is constantly evolving, which in turn, creates unique opportunities for me to expand my knowledge and skills and to enhance the impact I can make on my students. Join me on this journey and incorporate more fitness into your life as well as your PE program so your students benefit as well!
