National Teacher Appreciation Week

Physical Education Teachers Keep Kids in the Running

"Teacher Judy Fowler gives her students a "high five."

Since the month of May celebrates not only National Teachers Appreciation Week but is also national fitness month, it seemed appropriate to talk to some of GCS P.E. teachers.  Judy Fowler at Colfax Elementary has taken the sport of running and made it fun for kids.  Fowler is known for her running club called GOFAR, or “Go out for a run.” The fact that the number of kids in the program has tripled in the three years it has been around testifies to its effectiveness.  

The program teaches students to train for a 5K run, and Fowler stresses that the goal is to teach kids to finish the race and to get through the 10-week program.  “This program allows them to experience success,” said Fowler. “We don’t emphasize who wins; it’s more about finishing the race.”   The children get medals for running and are proud of their accomplishments.  What started as a once-a-year event is now twice a year.  Last fall the event was attended by 28 kids and jumped up to 90 kids in the spring.  

 “By the end of the program you have changed their mindset about exercise,” said Fowler.  “It is about guiding youngsters to be physically active for a lifetime.”

Kim Berg and Troy Berg at Alamance Elementary are using innovation to keep kids motivated to exercise.  They began a running club called the “Pacer Club,” a component of Fit America and Walk and Jog Across America running program and other sports and activities.  The school’s signature program is its Jazzy Jumper Jump Rope Team.  The Jazzy Jumpers are a state demo team for the American Heart Association, and the popular group performs at events throughout the county.

Kim reports that a boy with cerebral palsy wanted to join the group.   He learned to time his wheel chair to the turning ropes and even performed for the Women’s ACC Basketball Tournament. “The Jazzy Jumper team is an opportunity for students to excel and achieve,” said Berg.  “Ninety percent of kids say that P.E. is one of their favorite classes.”

All P.E. teachers agree that these programs and additional ones allow students to have choices and to start thinking about maintaining fitness as a lifestyle.

For more information and statistics about children and fitness, go to www.NChealthyweight.com.