Connection
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Back to school with the 2020 National Teachers of the Year By Larissa Brickach
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elected from an impressive group of state and district Teacher of the Year award recipients, SHAPE America’s National Teachers of the Year represent the “best of the best” in health and physical education. Here they share what “back to school” looks like for them in 2020 — and offer their top tips for getting through the upcoming year. For all, the key will be making meaningful connections with students in whatever way possible.
“If I was to say what the silver lining has been – especially with my elementary students – it is that I have parents who never knew what their child could do and what was challenging for their child, other than what they learned in an annual meeting,” says Chase. “Now they’re having the opportunity to play with their children and see what their child can do. They can motivate them and do the physical activities with them – and that’s pretty inspiring to see.”
Adapted Physical Education
CINDI’S TOP TIPS:
Cindi Chase Vintage Hills Elementary (CA) @ChaseCindi
Although Vintage Hills Elementary is her primary school, adapted physical education specialist Cindi Chase actually teaches at four schools in California’s Pleasanton Unified School District — including the middle school and high school. So, when her school district began the new academic year on August 11 using distance learning, Chase was able to connect with her students in multiple grade levels. “It was exciting to see the faces of my middle school students joining in on my Zoom class. I shared our class agenda and we performed our routine warm-up along with a dance. I taught two of my secondary classes and then connected with my elementary special day class (SDC) teachers to help coordinate my APE schedule with theirs.” While last spring was more of a “dress rehearsal” for distance learning — In this video, APE specialist Cindi Chase teaches since students her students a beginner activity for crossing the were encouraged midline in a sitting position. to turn in work and complete tests but grades could not be lowered — in the new school year everything is more formalized. “I am working to set up class time with everyone, which will include teaching the whole class, small groups, and one-on-one,” says Chase. “We are expected to fulfill IEP requirements for every student, work on progress on goals, and test and assess students.” Chase will offer live on-campus assessment testing for parents who prefer it, or test through Zoom or FlipGrid as needed. 12
Momentum • Fall 2020
• Create a supportive class community where all students feel welcome to learn and successfully participate with respect, empathy, and trust for everyone. • Create routines — from the warm-up routine to the agenda to the structure of the lesson plan. Incorporate a lot of visuals to help students know what to expect. This is especially important for students with autism. • Communicate to students using multiple learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). • Find a way to make a connection with each one of your students. This requires more effort and intention in a remote setting, as well as when you are in person, yet restricted.
Dance Education Christine Kiernan Fisher Eastern Guilford Middle School (NC) @chriskfish
Students and teachers at Eastern Guilford Middle School began the new school year remotely, but dance educator Christine Kiernan Fisher is looking forward to teaching “live” — even if it’s still virtual rather than in school. She can’t wait to connect with her students in the moment. “Now, more than ever, I am thrilled to be teaching anything that gets students up and out of their seats to move their bodies,” says Fisher. “I am proud to be In this video, dance educator Christine Fisher, joined part of an activity by her husband, provides instruction as part of a that is helping remote learning unit called “Back Deck Ballet.”