2008 District Teacher of the Year
Elementary School

- Southern District -

Name: M. Cerie Godfrey School Name: Ethel W. Kight Magnet School Street Address: 80 North Kight Drive City/State/Zip: LaGrange, Georgia 30240

What are one or two of the newest and/ or most innovative activities that you do with your students in physical education?

       I love to create new activities all the time. My special events activities are a culmination of a unit I have taught. Western Day at Ethel W. Kight is a day where all student and teachers dress up like cowboys and cowgirls. Each grade level comes into the gym for a barnyard square dance time. I have already taught each grade level age-appropriate dances for them to show their parents and teachers. I have over 100 students square dancing each hour of the day. I also, choreograph all of my Lummi Stick, paper plate and streamer stick routines. All of these routines incorporate coordination, rhythm and fitness components and follow NASPE standards.

What is your particular expertise in regard to teaching physical education-what is the focus of your teaching?

       My teaching focus is skill oriented. Every child has every piece of equipment at all times. During the elementary years each child need ample practice time to learn all of the motor skills to be successful when playing an activity or on a team later in middle school. My effectiveness as a teacher is because I provide activities that have high expectations that match their developmental needs that reflect NASPE standards.

What is your philosophy for physical education- what do you believe in?

       Each child learns through experiences. I believe you learn by doing. If a student is actively involved in the activity he/ she will have success and want to do more each class period. The more you practice the better the student will be at that skill and feel successful in their accomplishments.

What does being a physical education teacher of the year mean to you?

         After having a career of 28 years of being an elementary physical education teacher, it is very gratifying. My mother and dad taught me to always do your best in everything you do, and I do that with my teaching. I love my job and I love my students. This award is a great example of what happens when you are the field of your dreams for your career.

What do you do to help other physical education teachers?

       I am always ready to help another peer with anything she/he needs to better their program. I am actively involved in GAHPERD where I meet and talk to other professionals about physical education. I have presented at many conferences where other teachers have told me that they always take my ideals back and use them in their gym.

Any quotes from students?

"Ms. Godfrey cares about us and keeps us healthy and fit."

"Ms. Godfrey is the nicest teacher and person I know."

"Ms. Godfrey is creative. She comes up with the greatest activities and games."

"Ms. Godfrey is an awesome and cool P.E. teacher."

List three of your favorite conference session titles that you have presented, with a brief description of each.

Lummi Sticks beyond the Classroom - I choreographed routines with the Lummi Sticks that could be used in the classroom for rhythms and to go out and share at a P.T.O. meeting or marching in a parade.

Parachute + Folk Dance = Fun - I combined two different activities and made it one. I taught the students the folk dances and then we moved to do the dances around the parachute by holding on to the parachute while doing the folk dance.

Fitness Fun for Little Ones - I used fitness items to make it adaptable for smaller students.

Any additional major teaching awards you have received:

• Teacher of the Year, Stringfellow Elementary, Moultrie, GA, 1986
• Teacher of the Year, Hollis Hand Elementary, LaGrange, GA, 1994
• Teacher of the Year, Ethel W. Kight Elementary, LaGrange, GA, 1997