This month I am focusing the interdisciplinary article on Donna Moore. Donna is someone I had the pleasure of working with on the Arizona AHPERD (AzAHPERD) Board from 2002-2006. She has taught for 26 years at various schools in Arizona. Her latest teaching endeavor is at Julia Randall Elementary School in Payson, Arizona. She is now in her third year of teaching at this school. Previously, she taught in Pima and Safford, Arizona. She has held many positions on the AzAHPERD Board, including President, Dance Chair, Girl's and Women's Sports, and Convention Manager. She has also held several positions on the Southwest District Board of Directors.

Donna currently teaches approximately 500 K-5 students at Julia Randall Elementary School. Each student has Physical Education twice a week for 35 minutes, and there are great things happening in her program! She uses Dr. Pangrazi's program, which incorporates a 4-part lesson. Each lesson includes: Introduction, Fitness Development, Lesson Focus, and a Game to end the lesson. Her program also incorporates Dance, Dance Revolution and rock climbing. Don Hellison’s Levels of Responsibility (resource) are an integral part of her daily lessons. Donna's school uses the Character Counts program.

In addition to Character Counts, three rules guide Julia Randall Elementary and her classroom.

1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Safe

While talking to her about this piece, I learned several really cool things about her program. After attending a SWD Convention in Hawaii, Donna adopted one of the Hawaiian customs and integrated it into her program. In Hawaii, a lei is offered as a symbol of "giving a part of oneself and sharing their beautiful culture." This tradition is utilized in Donna's Physical Education classes. If Donna observes a student in her class or on campus demonstrating an act of kindness towards a fellow student or teacher, she presents them with a shell lei.

Donna says, "When students see other children receiving a lei, they begin performing similar acts of kindness." Students are very proud to receive a Hawaiian lei. Students choose to wear the lei the remainder of the day at school and then take them home. Donna also says, "Many students have told me they proudly display them in their bedrooms." Students have the opportunity to earn these leis each year. As a result, Donna has seen a huge difference in her classroom atmosphere. For example, now when a student falls down in class, there are always students offering assistance. Boys offer to help girls, and girls help the boys. She regularly hears students complimenting one another regarding skills performed, as well as their achievements in class.

Donna has also been a Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH) event coordinator for the last 20 years. While writing this piece, she informed me she would be receiving the 2008 AAHPERD National Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator of the Year Award. She believes the key to running a successful JRFH event is the promotion within her community. She does this by soliciting donations from local merchants and professional sports teams in the Phoenix area. She personally contacts each of the donors, and explains the JRFH event and the goals of her school. She sends thank you notes to each donor at the conclusion of the jumping event. In this written note, she includes the total amount collected by the school and mentions the impact the company's donation had on the event. As a side note, Donna has previously served as treasurer on the local American Heart Association's Board of Directors. She currently serves as the JRFH coordinator for AzAHPERD, as well as Southwest District.

Donna recently received the NFL Play60 Grant, which was awarded to 5 rural and 6 Phoenix metropolitan schools. The $2,500 grant will be used to purchase Physical Education equipment. Her project is a collaborative effort with a fifth grade class. This project allows students the opportunity to achieve 60 minutes of fitness each day. During the 10 weeks of fitness, students will incorporate during their school day the Arizona Governor's Fitness Break, Yoga, Phil Simms NFL Workout, Exercise Bands, Tae Bo, Walking, Tai Chi, Dancing, Karobics, & Juggling. Students will utilize stability balls throughout the school day (in replace of their desk chairs) to work their cores and multiple muscles.

As you can see, there is a lot to Donna's program in Payson, Arizona. I would like to end with 3 strong convictions Donna recently shared with me.

First: Physical Education is by far THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASS a child has in their curriculum, K-12.

Second: Donna loves teaching Physical Education today as much as she did 26 years ago when she began her career.

Third: Donna shares her favorite motto: "If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life!"

(pelinks4u home)