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Print2008 District Teacher of the Year
High School
- Central District -
 |
Name: Candee Stuchlik-Thode |
What are one or two of the newest and/or most innovative activities that you do with your students in physical education?
Within our PE Foundations units, we have recently updated our archery equipment, to use Compound Bows. We also now have the capability to have our archery unit rain or shine with the addition of new targets and nets that help with safety.
Also, to become more involved with the community, we are teaming up with an elementary school nearby to have a Read and Run Day with the kindergarten students. This half day is dedicated to tutoring the kindergartners with their academics, and then participating with them in PE activities, to stress the importance of both. Two other areas we are hoping to expand on in the next couple years are: the addition of a full climbing wall, and the purchasing of more Indo boards to work not only with balance, but fitness within our Weights and Training and Conditioning classes.
What is your particular expertise in regard to teaching physical education – what is the focus of your teaching?
I have really found a love for teaching about fitness through training and conditioning. My focus is to try and give my students a "taste" of many different activities, so that each one can find what "works" for them to stay active. The NASPE standards work in with this perfectly.
What is your philosophy for physical education – what do you believe in?
I have always taught PE with the mindset I want all my kids to feel safe, to feel valued, and to find some sense of accomplishment in what they do. I feel that physical activity is for everyone. More than ever developing "athletes" I want to help my students become the quality individuals that they were created to be.
When my students enter each fall, each comes with a mindset developed from previous experiences related to physical activity and health education. Some have excelled, while others have never felt particularly comfortable in a PE setting. My goal each and every year is to try and connect with each one of my kids. I know this is not always possible, but it never prevents me from trying. My goal is to try and get students enthusiastic about being active and learning about long term healthy lifestyles, while understanding that each person's road will be a different one to travel. I want my kids to know variety will always be the key.
What does being a physical education Teacher of the Year mean to you?
It blows me away, when I see how many great professionals are out there. I am very humbled to receive this recognition. I hope to continue to meet professionals who are just as passionate about teaching and learning as I am.
What do you do to help other physical education teachers plan and implement exemplary programs?
I am very blessed and lucky to be within USD 259. We have many exemplary teachers, and it is great to have such an abundance of resources at my disposal. We all help each other to take our programs to the next level.
Any quotes from students about you as a physical education teacher, or the classes taught by you?
"You are my favorite teacher this year because of your calm personality and well known knowledge of every sport." -Freshman Student
"I love to be active and have fun and when I come to you I have so much fun because we play lots of cool games and that's what I like to do…" -Freshman Student
List your "favorite" conference session titles that you have presented, with a brief description of each.
1) Physical Dimensions- Three high school teachers from our district wrote the health segment updates for our current Freshmen Foundations curriculum. We presented some of the new activities from that curriculum for other teachers using our curriculum throughout the state.
2) Teens HOPE- In our district, one of our counselors developed this program-HOPE stands for: Helping Others through Peer Education. We work with students throughout the district to help bring awareness to the growing rise in HIV cases, and how we can help educate students of all ages to keep themselves safe. I have used this program for my entire teaching career, and our high school has one of the largest student bodies involved. We shared with other districts how they can start this program within their own school.