However, I am more excited for a new program that I am trying to start. Through a fundraiser, I am hoping to raise enough money to purchase Snow Shoes so that our students can enjoy an outdoor winter activity. Throughout Physical Education, students are provided with an array of outdoor activities, however, as soon as the weather turns cold the program moves indoors. Living in an environment that has four seasons, I feel that it is important for the students to understand that winter time does not mean a time to stop physical activity.
I am extremely passionate about health and wellness, especially for my students. I often get teased at school as being the "food warden" because of the constant patrolling of the cafeteria and emails that I send out to the staff. But I am proud to say that I have helped establish an after school yoga program for staff, which even has a staff member who retired last year. I think that it is important to simply make people aware. Aware of their personal choices, of physical activity opportunities, and aware that each has the opportunity to make a change.
I am currently enrolled in the Sports Administration and Coaching program and I am also seeking a supervisors certification. I love being in the classroom and hope to teach for some time, but my desire is to fulfill a supervisors position so that I can reach more students.
On a personal level, I graduated from MSU with a B.S. in Physical Education and Health, started teaching in Kinnelon in 2004 and have been in the same school from the start. I coach soccer in our middle school and lacrosse in our high school. I enjoy participating in many different activities and recently tried cross country skiing. Definitely a tough workout. I also spend a lot of time cycling, both on the road and a discipline called cyclocross. I cant really describe it but here is what it looks like:
Wow, cyclocross looks really hardcore, I am impressed. I think it's funny and great that you can be food warden and bug people about it. I could use someone like you in my office! I definitely agree with the winter activities, I find it unfortunate that schools keep kids inside when it is "too cold".
ReplyDeleteI agree with Natalie- that looks like a crazy sport you are into. (and I thought I was nuts doing triathlons.) I'd imagine your washing machine gets a workout when you are done.
ReplyDeleteI think good PE teachers ar taken for granted; too many people think all they do is read a paper and watch kids play kickball. With a focus now on fitness, they are more important than ever!
I agree that PE teachers are important too! The activity that students get under your instruction might be the only activity they get all day. I remember my mom yelling at us to come inside from playing, I feel now that a lot of parents are yelling at their kids to turn off the x-box. The cyclo-cross looks great. In response to your post on my blog, I guess I should say that the idea of running I hate, but after running I feel great, so that's why I do it. I feel accomplished when I've run a little longer or a little further! And when I say running, I probably should say its more of a "slow jog." How is it teaching PE to the little ones? What is your favorite activity/lesson to do with them? Any specific events in the Olympics that you like?
ReplyDeleteA K-2 school? My district does K-3, then 4-6, and 7-12. I haven't heard of K-2, very interesting! How is it teaching the young kids>
ReplyDeleteThe students must love the fact that they get to participate in these Olympics! What a great idea!
Today would have been a good day to go outside and test out those snow shoes. I couldn't believe how hard it was coming down this morning, just as I was leaving to drive to school! No snow day!
A fellow coach, here. Always dreamed of teaching rhythmic gymnastics and never thought that I would get a chance to do it. Have been coaching twelve 4 - 5 year old girls for the past few months and love every minute of every practice. Your video inspired me to attach one about rhythmic gymnastics to my own blog. Will see if I can figure out how to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou mention trying cross country skiing. Love the sport. Back in Russia, we had it as a part of PE during winter months. We all had to bring our own skis. Imagine a ten year old girl getting on a city bus during the morning rush hour with the skis and the backpack. I am sorry I don’t have a video of that experience...
I love teaching the little one. They are so full of energy that it often gets misconstrued as bad behavior. I often have to tell myself that it is my goal to have them moving as much as possible. My district goes k-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
ReplyDeleteThe events for the Olympics are as follows
Bobsled - we have connecting scooters that the kids will ride through a course
Speed Skating - using paper plates under their feet
Curling - once again using a scooter to score in a target
Hockey - dribbling skills
Downhill skiing and Ski Jumping on the Wii
Cool ideas! I passed them along to our PE teachers and they are now going to do something similar. (Copying is the highest form of flattery)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your Olympics idea! It is nice for the students to be able to connect to something going on outside of school.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer for an organization that tries to teach children about nutrition, fitness, and healthy lifestyles. We are starting an exhibit at the Dover Children's Museum in April. I appreciate that the P.E teacher enforces healthy living outside of the gym--I wish more teachers would look at the whole child when it comes to education.
Sean I am proud to say that work in the same district as me. I love your ideas keep them coming! I hope you come up and teach at the middle school next year. Please! It would be nice to have another person up there to bounce ideas back and forth and put them into action.
ReplyDeleteI have also copied your fundraising idea for the field shirts. Hopefully, it will get approved by the administration and facilitators. Who's approval did you have to get?
Another note. awesome video! I never knew you did that kind of biking, very intense.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow PE teacher it's great to see others who are passionate about our profession...it drives me crazy when I hear people say that we aren't real teachers.
The Olympics activity sounds like a great idea. I'm sure the kids will love it. We did something similar in our PE classes a couple of years ago to tie in with the summer games. We created events, teams, etc. and even handed out medals based on teamwork, creativity in designing a new event, and overall performance. It seemed to be a big hit.
The cycling looks extremely intense...good luck!
You've brought a lot of "you" into your position, Sean, and your students probably think very highly of you for that! Your Olympics event and your yoga program are just two examples of sharing your interests with the others, which is no doubt a highly motivating factor for them. It's amazing how sharing one's interests in particular activities can create excitement among others who otherwise wouldn't be involved. I, too, teach in the same district where I grew up, so it lends itself to some benefits and obviously some drawbacks. You sound like you are doing some important work in Kinnelon, and you should be commended for sticking your neck out and try something new (instead of doing whatever the person you replaced was doing)!
ReplyDeleteWow... so refreshing to hear a PE teacher who initiates such great activities! I guess that's the downside of our chosen profession... a few "bad ones" have spoiled it for those of us that are actually "good ones". Our school recently started a Staff on Spirit group and we've organized a biggest loser competition and are trying to do yoga after school as well. It really makes work a fun place to go to when you have activities to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteHi Sean--The group I work with is the Junior League of Morristown. The JL is a national organization, and they ask that each chapter have at least one service project relating to fighting childhood obesity. They call it "Kids in the Kitchen," and the website is www.kidsinthekitchen.org. They have some good resources and online games for kids, as well as the events of the different Junior Leagues. We do other service projects in Morris County, but I am actually the chair of Kids in the Kitchen for my league, so that is the one I work with the most!
ReplyDelete