Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

Teacher In The Spotlight

Vicki Tolan
Alta Loma Junior High

BRONZE MEDALIST

The following rationale for consideration was submitted for this Spotlight Award:

A few year ago I broke my neck in a car accident. As I lay in my hospital bed, with a halo brace attached to my head, my doctor told me I would never teach PE again. I set out to prove him wrong!! After 6 months of recuperation, and determination I went back to my job teaching PE, the job I love. The job I have done for 40 years. Stressing fitness as well as nutrition is a big part of what we teach at ALJHS. We have won 10 State Fitness Championships. We call it "OUR DECADE OF DOMINANCE". Besides regular competitive sports, we run/walk two miles every Friday and all students wear a pedometer to keep track of their steps each day. Recently, May 2011, our school was featured on a local television show called "Healthy Rancho Cucamonga". Our segment was on fitness. We have also been featured in many newspaper articles. Recently,with a $65,000 grant,we developed a fitness center on our campus to be used by students and staff. Several of our staff members, including myself, run Marathons. Several students have now joined us. Fitness Week we have about 100 parent volunteers. The gym is decorated with posters, balloons and the music is blaring. The school has one goal.....to win another Fitness Championship!! Not all of my students will become great athletes,or win the Presidential Patch, but all will know what it takes to be physically fit the rest of their lives. Not even a broken neck can keep me from what I love to do, teaching the importance of fitness and nutrition for life to 7th and 8th graders. I am hoping you will consider my school when awarding the $10,000.

Thank you

Vicki Tolan,department chair

More Teachers In The Spotlight

Los Angeles

Kristen Holm Lucille Smith Elementary
GOLD MEDALIST The following rationale for consideration was submitted for this Spotlight Award: Kristen Holm is the motivating force behind the change that is brewing at Lawndale ESD. She recognizes the importance of nutrition and physical activity in her daily life and focuses on being a positive role model to students. Every morning she starts class with a physical activity exercise. She knows how important activity is to students’ ... Read More »

Los Angeles

Stacey Hawk Larchmont Charter
SILVER MEDALIST The following rationale for consideration was submitted for this Spotlight Award: Mrs. Stacey Hawk believes in lifelong fitness! She was an elementary classroom teacher for several years before becoming a Physical Education teacher at Larchmont Charter School. Her PE & dance curriculum was developed out of a love for fitness making moving fun for the students throughout our campus while weaving in the CA content PE standards ... Read More »

Award Winners by Year: 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011

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