My story….My journey to help teachers and advocate for Physical Education

Let me share my story….and the journey to help teachers as well as be an advocate for quality physical education for all ages pre-school and up.

Over 25 years ago I started teaching physical education and my first job was to teach 180 students: (not a misprint). It was for 4^th 5^th and 6th graders providing a prep period of classroom teachers.  I did have a co-teacher, so they were two of us for 180 but I think we all agree that’s not about quality physical education.  The district’s priority was to a contract obligation to create a prep period for teachers.  I also discovered at this time that the district was only providing this grade level PE for upper elementary, and nothing was being provided for the K-3^rd no PE program…no prep for these classroom teachers…as well as no PD on PE for the classroom teachers…nothing.   (Interesting, since in CA Physical Education has mandated minutes for grades 1st-12th grade.  I wish I could say that no longer happens, but it still does.

It is nothing new, for many years, physical educators have needed to advocate for our profession and the many benefits a quality physical education program can help students not just physically but also is an excellent vehicle for Social Emotional Learning.  YES…YES…there are districts, schools, administrators, educators, and parents that do value PE and students are given a physical education experience that is positive.  However, it is not consistent, NO not every student has had a quality physical education program, and far too often it is a horrible experience for many that does impact a student for a lifetime.   There is much more to this topic, but I want to move on to who and why I do what I do…and now more than ever I see a need and I am here to help and be a voice for the most valuable subject, Physical Education. 

I am a physical educator that loves to share ideas and help, especially help classroom teachers that are required to teach PE.  I respect educators with different philosophies and feelings about physical education, however for me…. I truly feel the most important years that children should have a quality physical education experience is when they are little (pre-school & elementary). Teaching the little ones how to move their bodies…I call it the ABCs of motor skills; to help them understand that they can move their bodies find something that they enjoy doing.&. However, as I described above, not all schools have PE teachers or if they do only offer PE to the upper grades.

Over 25 years ago I saw a need to help…and this need has driven my career path to provide PD on PE for all teachers; classroom and PE.  I am here to do is offer my help my Tips my Tricks my Strategies… my easy way to implement activity throughout the day.  I call it “DO-ABLE PE” and “PA Throughout the DAY” easy activities not just for that 20- or 30-minute blocks for physical education enhancing your academic lessons bringing them to life.

I share my expertise and experience since I have taught all ages…. the littles all the way up to college in multiple schools and districts as well as general education and special education.  I’ve taught in Compton, CA and in Redondo Beach, CA.  I’ve been north, south, east, and west and I’ve done professional development all over the country. 

What makes me different? …well…. first I teach with music 100%; I even have my own Brain Break CD “Get’em Up, Moving, and Learning”. I teach physical education however music can be used for all academics.  It is motivating, it utilizes both sides of the brain, it is engaging, and it’s an excellent time management tool.  I share how you match activities to the music I share that there is an extension of learning by adding the music it enhances your lessons.

Interested in learning more about what I do? Check my services