Guest Blog by Scott Bauer
Elementary Physical Education
Project Fit America All Star Teacher 2008
Homer-Center Elementary School-Indiana, PA
As Thanksgiving approaches, we should all pause and think about what we are grateful for in our lives. Sometimes the pace of life gets too fast and we forget to appreciate everything that we have in front of us. The fall is an especially busy time in my house; work, soccer practice, dance lessons, gymnastic lessons and swim practice. Sometime I feel like a taxi service! But I wouldn’t change it for the world. This is a perfect time, for me, to take a step back, take a deep breath and reflect on my life and the things I cherish most. Personally, I am so thankful for my wife and 2 kids and friends. I am blessed with many people in my life who care deeply about me and I appreciate every one of them. Professionally, I am thankful for Project Fit America and what they have done for me and my teaching career. They have opened new avenues and have gotten me thinking “outside the box” and it has helped me to produce a fun, diverse and energetic environment at Homer-Center. With their help I have been able to create a place that the students love to come to everyday to learn new PE skills and lifelong lessons. As PE teachers our affect on students is immeasurable. Your students will remember you and your lessons the most out of all their experiences in school. Take solace in knowing that there are students in your school who are thankful for you, your programs and what you do for them on a daily basis. Although they may not say it often or even at all, know they are there.
So take a minute out of your busy schedule this week and reflect back on the school year and see how far you and your students have come. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break, re charge your batteries and come back refreshed and renewed next week. Happy Thanksgiving PFA Nation!!
Nice blog Scott, but it is especially true about not always feeling that your students appreciate you. It is true that when we are kids we do not always express to teachers how we may feel but as adults we talk endlessly about the ones that affected our lives and very often alter them in a positive way. How can you know that when you are 8?!! Thanks for the reminder and a happy thanksgiving.
Great read! I have a long list of things to be thankful for…and PFA is most certainly on it!!
Awesome thoughts! PFA has impacted the PE program at Columbia Elementary in an extraordinary way! I have many blessings and my students are definitely on that list!
As your students mature, just like you are maturing Scott, their appreciation for those truly valuable things in life will grow. There are many thank yous down the road for great programs like yours and so many other PFA teachers, out there. Keep it coming Scott!