Ron Nichols
Physical Education Teacher
Hiawatha Elementary School
Hiawatha, Kansas
Ron has been teaching physical education for 26 years. His continual enthusiasm and excitement for teaching sends him to the head of the class. Ron received a PFA grant in 2001 and he has created an environment that makes the PFA program a very busy place both in the Physical Education classes as well as recess time. Jerry Scott, Ron’s Principal writes to us that “Ron has succeed in creating a physical education program that the students find fun at the same time they are developing physically, emotionally and socially.” We also give high marks to his involvement with all the teachers helping to make his school a genuine community hub of activity. It is this commitment that makes Ron an All-Star Teacher of the Year.
2010 Update Ron Nichols, All Star Teacher 2002 I have taught elementary physical education at Hiawatha Elementary School for the past 31 years. It is a K-4 building. In the first few years I also spent one hour per day at the 5th grade school 10 miles north of Hiawatha as well as two hours per day at the Special Education Building doing adaptive physical education. The afternoons were spent with the K-4 classes. At that time I would have two classes together for 30 minutes--approximately 60 students per session. In the mid 1980's we underwent building expansions, I left the Adaptive program, the 5th grade center closed and I became full time K-4 in Hiawatha.Needless to say a lot has happened over those 31 years.I now see each class twice a week for 30 minutes and twice a month on Wednesdays. I have been allowed to adjust and rewrite curriculum as I saw a need for change or updating. We currently have a curriculum that is eclectic in nature as we use material from the Physcial Essentials state curriculum, Project Fit activities that have been shared from inservices and the All Star Teachers, and ideas gathered from state conventions and workshops. My basic belief is that kids haven't changed but what is expected of them and what they have at their disposal have changed. They still have the same developmental stages and challenges before them. We were very excited this spring when one of our third graders set the national record for the vault bar at 503 jumps. At our end of the year awards assembly I recognize all of our station leaders for the year and I made sure that I saved that one for last. Her father was able to be in attendance which I am sure was a proudday for him and the entire family. I do have to share with you my favorite note story. We all get interesting notes form our students and parents but I will never forget the note from one of my students. He simply wrote "Dear Mr. Nichols You are a nice p.e.teacher. What do you do for a living?" I guess what that means to me is that I look at what I do not as a job and I guess that it shows. I am often asked now that I have amassed enough years and age to be retired when that will be. I simple state that to retire means that you have to have a job to retire from and when what I do gets to feel like a job then it will be time to go. Now what about me away from the school: I have been married for 33 years to my lovely wife Cathy-a great mom and substitute teacher. We are the proud parents of a son Ryan--a 5-12 band instructor, and a daughter Carissa--a student working on her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Kansas. They are both graduates of Hiawatha High School and Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas where they were involved in both choir and band. I am a 25+ year member of the Hiawatha Lions Club where I serve as treasurer.I also am treasurer for the local Boy Scout troop where our son earned his Eagle Scout.I also serve on the board for Love INC of Brown County- a non profit clearinghouse for helping those in need. Maybe my most favorite new activity is that of being a local lay speaker in our church. I am able to fill in for the minister when he needs to be gone. I attend 1-2 weekend classes per year to continue to grow in my faith. I also teach adult sunday school to the oldest class in our church.
I have also become a runner, trying to get a couple miles in at least 3-4 times per week. I did set up an award for my students.We run a smile mile twice a year with all of our first through fourth graders--an idea I got from Steve Cox. I time myself and then whoever beats my time gets an Achievement Award which simple states: Presented to----for achievement in Running: Beating the "Old Man". It is dated and signed by me with the words "Old Man" under the signature. I have also coached for different sports for the high school--football, girls basketball, track and cross country- mostly as an assistant although I did have stints as a head grils basketball coach and boys/girls track coach. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in league championships in all four sports as well as a Kansas state championship in football. Another new fun activity has been community theater. I have been able to be in several plays over the past few years such as Harvey, Fools, Sweet Charity and Godspell. Who knows what will happen in the next few years but I don't plan on slowing down too much. I have become interested in maybe doing some broadcasting. I announce for our summer legion baseball games as well as high school football and basketball. I have looked into the possibility of a broadcasting internship at our local radio station.Who knows where you will find me next but you may need a GPS to find me unless school is in session and I am just being one of the kids in the gym. The total fitness score consists of scores from two fitness tests (including mile run), two one minute jump rope tests, an obstacle course run, two pacer run tests. In the mile run they are awarded points for their time, eg. 6 minutes to 6:59 would get 50 points with each minutes slower getting 5 fewer points. The pacer run checklist is how I keep track of laps for each child. The circled numbers represent each level. TAKE A CERTIFICATE - and REVISE IT FOR
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