Candace
has taught physical education for thirteen years and received a PFA grant
in 1997 for her school, Bessemer Elementary, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
She has created an exemplary model of fitness in education. We want to
share her creativity in her lesson plans with all our PFA teachers across
the country and archive her work for our future PFA schools and teachers.
The lesson plans we are showcasing are unique in that she has used suggestions
from students. In addition, the lesson plans require little equipment
and few directions, but most of all they are fun.
In Candace’ s quest to create
the best physical fitness program for her students, she has become a model,
a real All Star Teacher and we are proud to have our program under her
auspices.
Congratulations Candace! As we begin 2001 we thank you for your leadership, dedication and care for the health and wellness of our nation’s youth.
2010 Update Candance Call, All Star Teacher 2000 Since being named a Project Fit America All-Star teacher, I have been blessed with many leadership opportunities. I am now serving as principal of my third school since graduating from the NC Principal Fellows Program. My greatest blessing has always been the adults and students I have been given the responsibility of serving. My office walls are covered with pictures and mementos of these special people and places. One of my favorite pictures is the one of you with the Bessemer children. Those were the days! Many people have commented that my office looks more like a den in someone’s home rather than a principal’s office. I have to admit that I didn’t intentionally set out to create a “den like” office, but it does support my leadership style. Building strong, healthy relationships is at the foundational core of my leadership philosophy. Leadership matters, but what most often makes a great leader is the people in the organization. With that said, I thought you might appreciate that I have no diplomas, awards, etc. in my office with the exception of my PFA All-Star Teacher Trophy and my UNC Greensboro Hall of Fame plaque. The PFA trophy reminds me of what can be accomplished when you have passion for your goals. The UNC Greensboro plaque reminds me of the importance of getting up and trying again after falling. I have provided a copy of my vitae below. While my blood is Tar Heel blue and Dean Smith is my coaching hero, I have much respect for John Wooden. He was credited with many inspirational quotes. The following are two of my favorites. “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” “Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” Although I love being a principal, there has not been a day in the last seven years that I have not missed being a physical education specialist. I still find ways to be with the children like providing “Play time with the principal” if their class has perfect attendance for the week. Attendance has improved greatly at the schools where I have been principal and playing with the children helps to keep my stress level down. Some people are afraid to use the word play when talking about physical education and schools. I have always embraced the word and philosophy behind it. Children learn best through play and if we make exercise/fitness seem like work then we are going to turn off a lot of children and adults. Fitness and learning are fun! Since becoming a PFA All-Star teacher, I have also had the opportunity to do much public speaking. My most memorable speaking engagements involve the Lyndon Baines Johnson School in Stonewall, Texas and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum in San Marcos, Texas. Meeting Lady Bird Johnson and her daughter Luci on two occasions have definitely been highlights for me. I have never met a more gracious and kind woman than Lady Bird Johnson. Just as impressive was her daughter Luci who is indeed a lady in her own right. Also, Just wanted to make sure you knew that the Loflin PFA intitiative is my fifth! The first two were as a PE Teacher in Guilford County. The first was at Bessemer. The Bessemer results were awesome! I received the grant for Oak Ridge Elementary during that next phase.Then as principal, I have implemented the program at Archdale Elementary, Southmont Elementary, and now Donna Lee Loflin. So I have a PFA ring for every finger! In closing, I want to tell you that you have been an inspiration to me since the first day we spoke on the telephone about Project Fit America. Your energy and drive is contagious. Earlier, I mentioned Dean Smith and John Wooden. One thing that unites them is their legacy of developing and molding leaders. Stacey Cooke, you are to be commended for developing the Project Fit America organization. More importantly, you are to be commended for the role you have played in developing so many leaders across our great country. There would not be a “Where are they now?” if there was not first a Stacey Cook there!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
