| |
 |
Debbie Mickens Lee Hill Elementary School Debbie Mickens has been in public education for 14 years in Spotsylvania County and received a PFA grant in 2005. Debbie has created a physical education program that is motivating and engaging, focusing on making physical fitness a way of life for her students. She attracts her students to maximize their learning through her instructional methods of: using “fresh” ideas of student interest; making connections in core-curricular areas; incorporating tools and skills that kids need to reach their potential in teamwork, positive relationships, and physical activity, while having fun the whole time. Some of her ideas to make connections for kids have involved; multiplication tables up on the walls of the gym for counting repetitions, coordinates for squads and warm-ups, using letters on the front wall and numbers on the side wall, remediation efforts with classroom teachers to make learning fun. She volunteered to pilot the P.E. Paraeducator Program in our county that is currently in the third year of operation. The para program initiative was two-fold; students received structured P.E. twice a week, and students received flexible library benefiting them in reading and research. Since her style is student-centered, she didn't hesitate to make this program a success, taking the challenge as an opportunity to highlight her P.E. program. We have seen a huge increase in physical fitness assessment scores for students every year, an expansion of resources, equipment and volunteers that have been needed to implement activities for students. She is a wonderful advocate for our school gaining financial support through fundraisers, grants, and purchases, including a traverse rock wall through our PTO, building a community within our school to fulfill the emotional, social and physical needs of students. This is evident in the award she won through our local broadcasting radio station, WFLS, Golden Apple Award in 2007. She is an integral part of our school and we are honored to be a part of her success! |