2010 Update
Ken Chambless: All-Star Teacher 2005
WHY PE
My love for teaching
kids was there before I even realized it. My mother was a 1st grade
teacher at the same elementary school I attended. As I entered
high school age, I enjoyed visiting her classroom and her students.
I would occasionally help mom but mostly I just played with the
kids & got them hyper for her! I know
she enjoyed my visits but I’m certain she had her hands full
with “energized” kids upon my departure. I must have
visited her classroom weekly during my junior & senior years.
It was fun!
Upon entering college, I had no idea what to major in.
I went from pre-business to journalism to English to psychology and none
of them felt “right”. None of these grabbed my full commitment & enthusiasm.
Then one semester, while taking a psychology course, we were required
to participate in an observation of pre-k students and note their
behaviors. We did this behind one way glass so the kids could not
see us. I watched the kids play. During this observation, I noticed
many of the kids were not getting attention from instructors and
they looked bored. I asked if I could step over to their side of
the glass and was given permission. I spent the next several hours
laughing, playing & teaching these 4 year olds. We learned how
to count, how to spell and even how to juggle scarves. This was my
light bulb moment. I had discovered what I wanted to do. TEACH!
I immediately thought back to those days I spent
in my mother’s
classroom. It was right in front of me my entire life! The passion
for kids and learning was there all along. But now what? I was never
a great student and never enjoyed school that much. My favorite experiences
were socializing and physical activity, especially physical education.
I had a great PE teacher in elementary school and I began my quest
to copy her traits and improve upon them. I love kids.....I love
having fun with kids.....I love physical activity & sport......so
my career choice was very clear.....I wanted to be a PE teacher!
My first job was at a great school. I was hired
as the 2nd PE teacher based on projected numbers of students. In
early September I was informed that I would be transferred to another
school. I was sad but welcomed the new challenge. Things did not
go well however as I was placed in a very dangerous, unhappy school
where leadership was non-existent. I was engaged to be married
at the time and my fiancé (now my wife of 15 years) lived
in Newnan, GA. We decided that I would resign my teaching job,
move to Newnan, and we would start our life together here. I interviewed
locally as well as in surrounding counties with no success. I learned
that in good school systems, jobs are hard to find! I worked as
a substitute as my wife became the bread winner!
I began teaching part time for a company called
The Little Gym. I loved it! This is a mobile gymnastic & fitness program. We
visited daycare centers, recreation centers and churches and I taught
kids from 9 months all the way up to 12 years of age. I loved it
so much I bought the company! From 1995 until 2001 I owned this franchised
and nationally known children's fitness business and with it, I learned
to teach the youngest of students how to have "fitness fun" in
many different ways. During this time, I discovered my first teaching
philosophy:Have fun! No matter what the subject is, kids
just want and need to have fun while learning. My
goal has always been to make what I am teaching FUN.
Even though I loved The Little Gym, I longed to be the PE teacher
again. I wanted to become part a school family. I needed some roots.
In 2001 I was hired to teach PE to 1000 kids at Newnan Crossing Elementary
school. It was a new challenge and one that opened up many opportunities
for me professionally.
In 2010, I completed my 11th year of teaching
PE. I have grown my craft incredibly during this time. In the early
years I had to develop a classroom discipline plan quickly! I was
used to getting kids moving & laughing
but now I was responsible for doing this and maintaining control
of them! Now I know how mom felt when I left her classroom! I made
some good moves, developed some good plans and became a pretty good
PE teacher early on. My students enjoyed my class often. I spent
my first few years concentrating on sports-related activities and
lessons. While many students love flag football, soccer & basketball
(as I do), I began to realize that many did not. I began looking
for ways to get everyone involved and having fun!
PFA:
In
2003, my principal came to me with the Project Fit America grant
request. All I heard was “free equipment” and I was
in! I spent several days writing the grant and getting familiar
with PFA. Upon being awarded the grant, I was excited that my kids,
all 1,100 of them, would have a new opportunity to become active & fit.
I had NO IDEA what I was in for.
In the fall of 2003, PFA trainer Steve Cox visited me for my PFA
in-service training. I was expecting him to share lessons and ideas
on this great new equipment! He did. But he shared so much more.
Once he introduced the different Project Fit America components,
and everything they involved, I knew it would be a perfect fit for
me. Shuttle Cup? Pacer Challenge? Break Out? All
very creative activities that I immediately jumped right into and
have seen nothing but success from my students ever since. In my
philosophy, creativity is the secret to a good, quality and fun physical
education program. Steve gave me great ideas that proved to be my
springboard for a great PE program. Now, ALL of my students love
my class. They cannot wait to get in the gym to see what’s
next. This enthusiasm I have for PFA is now shared equally by my
students as well.
Stacey Cook invited me to become a PFA in-service trainer. At first,
I thought, no way. I would always compare myself to Steve and as
much as I hate to admit it, there is NO comparison to Steve Cox.
But Stacey professed her confidence in me so I happily entered into
this new venture during the fall of 2005. It has truly been one of
the great blessings in my life. The things I am able to learn from
interactions with hundreds of PE teachers all across America is invaluable.
I visit schools as the trainer but often I learn just as much about
teaching as they do. It is the best professional learning experience
anyone could have and I am very grateful to have these opportunities.
FAMILY & INTERESTS:
My passions are very easy for anyone to see. My family, my students
and my Falcons are at the top of the list.
My wife, Jennifer, & I will be celebrating
our 15th anniversary in 2010. Jennifer is in the healthcare field
and just completed her MBA!
We have 2 great boys, Cole, 13, and Wesley, 9.
We all enjoy being outdoors. Camping & hiking
are frequent activities we participate in. Our favorite vacation
spots are Disney World (camping at Fort Wilderness of course) and
the beaches of Florida.
ATLANTA FALCONS:
In 1978, when I was 8 years old, my parents purchased Atlanta Falcons
season tickets. I was instantly hooked. I love everything about
going to games. The atmosphere, tailgates, ballgames and roars
of the crowd (or in the Falcons case, more like moans) are addictive.
Dad dropped his tickets in the late 1980’s but my brother
and I continued to attend games. I purchased my own season tickets
in 1991 and have only missed 3 games since. Our group has grown
over the years and we now attend all home games and a few road
games each season. We sit each Sunday on the 4th row in the left
end zone so if you happen to see a Falcons game in the Georgia
Dome, look for me. I promise you will spot me!!!
WELCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
In 2006, Welch School opened its doors. I moved over for a few reasons.
Number one, most of my friends and their children were redistricted
here and number two, the gym was spectacular!! It is the first
school in the county to have air conditioning (19 elementary schools).
It has a soft surface floor and a Bose surround sound system! It
is a PE teachers dream! We have over 900 students K-5th grade.
I teach double classes and our kids receive 90 minutes of PE each
week. Our administration supports me & the PE program so I’m
about as happy as can be!!
