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Print2008 National Teacher of the Year
Middle School
- Eastern District -
|
Name: Debbie Buenger |
What are one or two of the newest and/or innovative activities that you do with your students in Physical Education?
Our Physical Education Department is always looking for fresh ideas. The past few years we have implemented a more-Fitness oriented program focusing on lifetime sports. Our fencing unit incorporates the Traits of Character Education such as respect, honesty and self-discipline. This year we have provided students with thirteen pieces of Concept 2 fitness equipment including four treadmills, three elliptical treadmills, three bikes and three rowers! Our goal with each student is to take the Carroll County Challenge and clock one hundred miles each on the equipment, improving cardiovascular endurance and strength. During our volleyball unit students are asked to design a volleyball recall poster and "entice me to come to their volleyball camp". This assessment encompasses the terminology of volleyball and technology.
What is your particular expertise in regard to teaching Physical Education? What is the focus of your teaching?
I enjoy introducing new Fitness games and activities that students will respond to in positive ways. Throughout their middle school years I hope that every student will discover an activity that they will continue to involve themselves in that activity. This focus allows me to help students develop and improve their skills as they develop their athletic abilities and put them on a healthy pathway for years to come. I love teaching all sports but my favorite activities are gymnastics, dance, golf and volleyball since I played all of these sports all of my life!
What is your philosophy for Physical Education? What do you believe in?
My Physical Education philosophy includes helping students become successful in a non-threatening, positive environment, where they will be safe and can learn essential skills and concepts that will relate to every day life. I believe that every student has potential to improve their physical skills, develop their minds with understanding and competence and become socially interactive with peers and teachers.
What does being a Physical Education Teacher of the Year mean to you?
Being named the 2008 National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year is a prestigious honor. This award is the highlight of my career. To be a part of the NASPE family is truly a unique experience as they are supportive in their professional roles and advocate for high quality Physical Education programs across the country. I enjoy presenting and sharing ideas and hope that as Teacher of the Year to learn new and innovative ways to continue to inspire my students and to give back to the profession through advocacy for Physical Education.
What do you do to help other Physical Education teachers plan and implement exemplary programs?
My career has been a very unique one over the past thirty years. I have enjoyed mentoring first year teachers, student teachers, and practicum interns in my classroom for many years. In my teaching career I have mentored over one hundred student teachers, written curriculum for the local college Physical Education Department, in-serviced current Physical Education teachers with presentations on various topics at the state and District levels, and held committee positions in our professional State and District organizations. I held a position as a student teacher supervisor for undergraduate seniors where I helped them implement units of study and made myself available to all teachers in my profession for questions or teaching suggestions.
Any quotes from students about you as a Physical Education teacher, or the classes taught by you?
I have been in education for thirty years and one student went home and told her mom she had a new P.E. teacher this year. The mom recognized my name as she was a former student from a long time ago. "Oh no Mommy, Mrs. Buenger couldn't have been your teacher, she's only looks about 27 years old! Little did that 6th grader know at the time, I was 49!
"Get Mrs. Buenger to try it, she'll do anything!"
"The nice thing about P.E. is that you get to try it again, and again, and again!"
List three of your favorite conference session titles that you have presented, with a brief description of each.
"Fitness In Five Days": Active participation session integrating Health and Science into Physical Education:
Day One is learning and implementing the Health and Skill Related Components of Fitness
Day Two are brain activities
Day Three are heart activities
Day Four are types of movements and nutrition activities
Day Five is time management and relaxation techniques
"Dance Fever": Powerpoint presentation and round table discussion:
Students create their own dance routines in small cooperative groups while incorporating and discovering the Traits of Character Education such as leadership, decision-making, responsibility, dependability and selfconfidence. This unit of dance allows students to develop their movement skills while exploring relationships within their movement groups. This unit takes a lot of twists and turns with social interactions among middle school students and a whole lot of fun! Most students cannot wait to take ownership of this unit!
"Instant Activities for Middle School Minds and Bodies": Take these Fitness activities right back to your classroom for instant fun!
Active participation session includes individual Fitness relays, partner activities, small group competitions, team-building and problem-solving activities with tarps, and noodle activities. Suitable for grades 3-8! Play them out while you build them up!
Any major teaching awards that you have received:
- NASPE National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2008
- AAHPERD Eastern District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2007
- Maryland AAHPERD Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2006
- Cambridge Who's Who Among American Teachers 2007
- Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Teacher
- WBAL Class Act Award