Tom Ebbole's Teaching
Philosophies
“Teaching is the highest form of understanding.” (Aristotle) Teachers
choose their line of work because they understand this statement. In
what other field can you learn something new every minute of the
day? Teachers understand that learning along side of students
is some of the most rewarding work that can be done. My philosophy
of teaching and learning is based on several different aspects.
 I teach to see the looks on the students’ faces when they
leave my gym after a lesson that has changed their day for the
better. I love sports, I love kids and I convey information
in a way that all students understand. This empowers the
students to go through the day knowing that they have excelled
in something. It may not have been reading, math or science,
but it was something. My goal is to adapt my lessons in a
way that all of the students can be successful. I believe
that students learn by seeing, doing, reading and moving. They
absorb the information that you deliver to them, when it is delivered
in multiple ways. Education is the foundation of life. It
comes in many shapes, sizes and forms and needs to be delivered
in a way to enrich lives.
 My role as an educator varies from moment to moment. I am
a role model, teacher, coach and a source of support. I feel
that it is important for the students to feel safe and secure in
my classroom. When they enter I smile and greet them
with enthusiasm. When they are not learning at the pace that
I want them to learn, I adjust my instruction. I do not get
frustrated. I just adjust to their level. This
gives them a sense of confidence that they were able to conquer
their difficulties. I believe my community of learners is
a group of students willing to learn, listen, and work very hard
for a teacher that respects them.
 The
students’ role in my teaching and their learning is
to be open and ready to learn. I expect them to enter my
classroom with the intent to try their best. They are expected
to respect the education of themselves and their peers. I
believe that each of the students that enter my classroom has
the ability to succeed. They may not dribble the basketball
the best or run the fastest, but they can and will succeed. The
relationships I have with my students are mutual respect. They
have fun with me and I have fun with them. They learn from
me and I learn from them. Teachers are not supposed to be
the bearer of rules, but the bearer of knowledge and enrichment.
In conclusion, teaching and learning go hand in hand as do teachers
and students. Teaching and learning is a life-long process. As
we progress in our field of education, we progress in our journey
of lifelong learning. My philosophy of teaching and learning
will always be based on a safe, secure and inviting environment. I
will always address my students and teaching with enthusiasm and
respect.
Nicole's Teaching Philosophy
 I, Nicole Wagemann, have been teaching at Mannheim District 83,
Scott Elementary School, for the past seven years. I graduated
from Illinois State University in Normal, IL with a K-12 certification
in Physical Education and minor of Health.
 I feel the most important thing I stress in Physical Education
is health and wellness. An overall well being is what I teach
in my classes. Our curriculum was set up in a sport and basic
locomotor movements; coordination based way when I first came to
the district. I helped in adding our existing fitness and
wellness unit. I have also tried to incorporate health and
wellness throughout the other units as well. My students
have been introduced to fitness as a life-long process, which starts
when they are young, and hopefully they leave with ideas/activities
to continue throughout their lives.
 I have provided a variety of opportunities where they develop
a “whole” well being. I get to focus on developing
the students cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Each
child may understand and be able to participate in a different
way I try to reach a child and keep him or her involved in having
a positive outlook on physical education so that they will continue
to be active. We work on team building, conflict revolution,
and understanding special needs to highlight a few. Students
in grades 3rd through 5th have a portfolio in which they have found
that physical education is related across the curriculum in areas
such as math, social students, science, and language arts.
I bring an enthusiastic approach to my gymnasium to motivate and
maximize participation. The gymnasium setting is fun yet
safe where the students are able to feel confident that they will
be successful in any of the activities. I adapt to each child
so that they can reach a successful outcome and obtain preset goals.
Besides teaching, I am involved in organizing field day, teaching
health/family living to the 4th and 5th grade girls, helping with
after school programs, coaching the district’s swim team,
co-chair as PTA Vice President of Programs, work at the local park
district teaching CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding and exercise programs
at the fitness center.
Project Fit America has been an asset at Scott School. This
program has helped in teaching fitness and wellness. PFA
has increased our Fitness gram scores and has helped in goal setting. When
I test my students I put up a PFA chart and challenge wall in the
hallway. The students receive awards and strive to achieve
each level.
 PTA has given me the opportunity to take our fitness/wellness
program and extend it to our community as well. Last year,
we hosted our first annual health and wellness fair, “Healthy
Bodies and Healthy Minds.” We had a plethora of information
from local businesses and others in the community to pass our pamphlets,
gave away memberships to the gym, and so on. Gottlieb Hospital,
police department, fire department, dentist, eye care professionals,
American Heart Association, local park districts to name a few.
I value Project Fit America for it has expanded our program and
I encourage other physical educators to apply. PFA has strengthened
my teaching ability.
How we use the Project Fit America
Program
 Station Stars- Puppy Cubs
- Warm-up and Cool-down
- After-school gym program
- Fitness Testing
- Recess
How Project Fit America Works for Us!
 Since
receiving the generous grant that provided Scott School with our
most valued Project Fit equipment, we have integrated many new opportunities
for skill development and conditioning into our physical education
curriculum. Project Fit has enhanced our already strong program by
helping us: improve students' upper-body strength, incorporate fitness
into our curriculum, encourage students to create goals for themselves
and to know where a student is in terms of personal strength.
Furthermore, the fitness cups allow for a fun change of pace. They
help increase students' hand-eye coordination as well as emphasize
and enhance team building and cooperation with our students.
 CHART
AND CHALLENGE - Smile Mile
This is a chart and challenge which encourages
students to achieve a 10-minute mile or lower for their first time.
If they achieve that goal, they receive a Smiley
Certificate and
their name on the board in the hallway.
HUBBA HUBBA CHALLENGE
This is a chart and challenge in which the students hula hoop with
the heavy hoops. If they can keep the hoop going with no flubs, they
receive a Hippo Hula Certificate and their
name on the bulletin board for the corresponding category for how
long they kept it going.
45 seconds -- Bronze
90 seconds -- Silver
1 min and 30 sec -- Gold
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