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Print2010 District Teacher of the Year
Elementary School
- Midwest District -
 |
Name: Charlene Galluzzo |
Describe one or two of the newest and/or most innovative activities that you do with your students in physical education?
Healthy Buddies is a wellness program designed to increase student, staff, and parent activity levels and improve nutritional choices through a team approach. Each participant signed a contract, tracked behaviors for baseline data and then received a personalized wellness program to follow. The goal was to improve at least one deficiency identified from a behavioral survey. A pre-post survey of activity and nutritional practices was used to determine behavioral changes with all participants. Children teamed up with a parent to engage in physical activity outside the school day. In addition, special activities were conducted after school hours for students and staff participation. This Team effort has produced positive results in our school and community.
What is your particular expertise in regard to teaching physical education – what is the focus of your teaching?
The focus of my teaching is a skills-based approach with a fitness focus while incorporating brain gym activities that promote skills that nurture and develop brain functioning.
What is your philosophy for physical education – what do you believe in?
Getting one step better every day is my personal and classroom mantra. I believe there is a direct link between moving and learning. It is paramount that concepts are taught while skills are developed and practiced, so that my students have the tools to be fit, healthy, well-adjusted and efficient movers in the 21st Century.
What does being a NASPE physical education Teacher of the Year mean to you?
As a physical education Teacher of the Year, I am aware of the awesome responsibility I have to advocate for quality physical education for all students while promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices. In addition, I will lobby for respect for our profession as essential educators, as we lay the foundation for learning in the academic setting. I am committed to convincing every physical education teacher that they do every day make a difference in the life of a child.
What do you do to help other physical education teachers plan and implement exemplary programs?
I am committed to sharing my knowledge, expertise and classroom experience with my colleagues through mentor programs, presentations and workshops. In addition, I have served on the last two content standards writing teams and have helped fellow teachers with grant writing and advocacy projects.
Any quotes from students about you as a physical education teacher, or the classes taught by you?
"I love gym! It's my favorite class!"
What are three of your "favorite" conference session titles that you have presented?
The Eyes Have It: Looking for a way to help youngsters acquire perceptual motor skills through innovative techniques that will improve attention and focus? Visual training is the answer. Experience the success and frustration of learning through loading and the benefits of coupling acquisition of a skill in a dynamic state.
Rodeo-Roundup: Howdy, partners, time to lasso those K-1 Wellness CSO's and take your students on a journey to the "Wild West". We'll master ropin', twirlin' and barrel racin'! Gallop along and get on board the wagon train to help your youngins meet the standards, master skills and have a barrel of fun!
Battling the Obesity Crisis: This is a power point presentation on the cause and effect relationship of inactivity on our children and the contributing factors to the obesity epidemic. Participants are asked to engage in activity breaks during the session to re-energize and get their hearts pumping.
Additional major teaching awards Charlene has received:
- WVAHPERD Honor Award – 2008
- WVAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year – 2004
- West Virginia Teacher of the Year Finalist – 2002
- Tyler County Teacher of the Year – 2002
- Sistersville Elementary Teacher of the Year – 2002
- Tyler County High School Teacher of the Year - 2000