2010 Retrospective

As 2010 comes to a close there are many to thank and recognize. Each of you were key in making 2010 an amazing journey. It is your support that was the wind beneath my wings giving me the juice, the power, the inspiration, the drive and the determination that created all the great work accomplished this year. In doing so you take Project Fit America to the next level and launch us into a fantastic 2011! Get ready… here it comes……

On the home front…my fantastic, wonderful husband Charlie, my bff Victoria Stolinski and two amazing God kids- Sasha and Diego. My sister Carin Cook, my niece Allison White and nephews Eric and Michael Ponder.

Here at all things PFA….Our visionary Board of Directors that come together every year to dream, plot, and plan the many innovative ways to support the role of PE Teachers in America. To empower the vital and key role only they hold to reduce childhood obesity by putting fitness back into education!

Our amazing “Administrative Warriors”…Stephanie Elliott, Molly Spencer, and Kourtney Evans. Whose work to help schools roll out this program is awesome! We worked with over 1,000 schools this year and we never missed a beat because of you!! Carol Whitson the most amazing Data Manager who will sleep next to her computer and put her big ol’ dog in day care so he can run and play to so she could make deadlines. A huge shout out to our Web Master who has the patience of Job and the ability to read my mind; Shirley Williams-Art and Web Design. Guillermo Lobos of Pro Tech, who kept all our machines running night and day. Janice Lenhe…our computer Consultant who, like our Web Master, has the patience of Job and never fails to solve the tech problem.

Our In Field Trainers in 2010……Each of you work full time in schools so you know I have to start by thanking your Principals for supporting your work in field to build a fit America and “loaning you to us.” This includes Amanda Martin, Gary Martin, Kim Berg, Ken Chambless, Kathie Immerman, Leslie True, Brenda Byrd, Cheryl Gladwill, Kathy Crawford, Sharon Ryan and our Master Teacher, Steve Cox, whose Core Curriculum, lesson plans, ideas and die hard message….Hear It, Read It, See It, Do It …is a national drive to bring Physical Education to a place that has it’s feet firmly under the table of change for kid’s fitness. There is no way any kid won’t get fit when a PE teacher has those guidelines as their guide and mentor!

Our All Star Teachers…Each of you serve as a true model of what great PE can do in this country and what a great PE program looks like. You are living proof that one person can make a difference and that IT IS possible to get kids fit and launch them into healthy adulthood.…I would put each and every one of you up against any school in America and bet the farm…… You are the real deal!

To the outstanding PFA Grant Schools & PE Teachers….You are found north, east, south and west and meet with your students every hour on the hour, five days a week before school, after school, drive buses, coach, manage your own families and survive budget cuts that would make the average person run for the hills! No matter what you always find a way to run killer programming and never fail to find a way to inspire your kids!

To our Sponsors ……You made all of the above happen. It is your vision to build a generation of healthy kids starting in your own backyard. Your commitment to the schools, teachers, kids and families has impacted thousands. Your donations are the shot fired across the bow that declare war on obesity and declare the right for kids to grow up active, fit and healthy! It is you that every person mentioned in this blog is deeply grateful to, indebted to and empowered by. It all begins with you and look what you have created!

Look out 2011 we are fired up and coming your way and our message is loud, crystal clear and is the truth….

This nation will never solve the childhood obesity epidemic if PE Teachers and schools are not at the core of the solution. Aside from a child’s parents, there is no one more powerful and empowering than their teachers.

In closing I feel beyond blessed to be working with each and everyone of you. Together we make magic and change kids lives!