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Print2010 National Teacher of the Year
Elementary School
- Central District -
 |
Name: Lana Peterson-Pressler |
Describe one or two of the newest and/or most innovative activities that you do with your students in physical education.
Students in Rousseau Elementary PE enjoy a traverse and a top rope vertical climbing wall, Rollerblade in-line Skate in School program, Juggling for Success and The First Tee National School Program for elementary golf, to name a few of my students' favorites, and mine too! Skill development and unique challenges in many areas of exercise and activity are priorities for our PE time together.
In keeping with our school mission statement and expectations, physical education class is a place where students practice being safe, respectful and responsible and where the objectives always include thinking interdependently, learning academically and physically, and leading with character.
Additionally, as a progressive district in the area of quality physical education, we have recently worked extensively on formal and informal skill assessments, and student response and skill progress have been exciting. With one or two district level assessment(s) at each grade level 1-5, we have improved instruction and achievement in NASPE Standard 1 significantly, and continue working to create meaningful opportunities for children to demonstrate what they know, are able to do, and believe about themselves and others.
What is your philosophy for physical education - what do you believe in?
Physical educators are fortunate to teach children curriculum standards and objectives that are specifically and immediately relevant in creating productive, enjoyable lives: learn how to do many things, work to understand many things, be healthy, active and fit, be respectful and enjoy life! And as a teacher it is my greatest privilege and most urgent responsibility to help others value these aspects of physical education in school, leading to involvement in their school, community, participation in lifelong learning and activity, and a reduction in sedentary, uninvolved lives.
What does being a NASPE physical education Teacher of the Year mean to you?
Serving as a NASPE Teacher of the Year brings opportunities and responsibilities even beyond my initial expectations. I always love learning and teaching together with others in and around the education profession, and it has long been a personal and professional goal to serve the profession that has inspired so much in my life! I am so grateful to have this opportunity to continue to make meaningful connections with fellow educators and join the exceptional "Team of TOY's" in seeking and accepting a variety of responsibilities to advocate for children's health and fitness through physical education in schools!
What do you do to help other physical education teachers plan and implement exemplary programs?
My goal in working with children is to impress upon them the importance of trying something new, expand their interests, accept new challenges and stick with them, learn from mistakes, reflect on success, dare to try harder, do better and have fun! To build exemplary programs, I know teachers do the same! I try to support and encourage teachers as they engage in National Board for Professional Teaching Standards National Teacher Certification, NASPE STARS, membership in teaching organizations, attendance at conferences and conventions, involvement in advocacy and policy, as they practice what they teach, and discover again why they know teaching as a valiant, vibrant and fun profession! To love what you do and do what you love is the best way to ensure exemplary programs for children!