AMANDA SHOE - All Star Teacher

2010 Update

Amanda Shoe Martin, All Star Teacher 2003

Wow things have changed quite a bit for me since I was named a PFA All Star Teacher in 2003!   As you can probably tell from the name change, in April of 2006 I married the most amazing man in the world - Gary Martin! We have had such an incredible journey thus far and can't wait to see what the future holds for us! We are dreaming of starting our own family so hopefully one day soon we will be able to pass that update on proudly! Professionally, I am super proud to say that in May 2005 I earned a Master of Science degree from NCA&T with a Concentration in Adapted Physical Education. As a full time teacher and a full time graduate student, I was able to maintain a 4.0 Grade Point Average and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

In 2009, I received my National Boards Certification! Hard work really does pay off!!!!!!   Although I still teach for Guilford County Schools, I have been teaching for the last five years at Jefferson Elementary School. At Jefferson I am surrounded by supportive parents, talented teachers, excellent students and a top-notch administration. All of these components have allowed my physical education program to "soar to new heights", which is only appropriate because we are the Jefferson Eagles!

I am most proud of the Get Healthy Jefferson movement I started in 2008. The “Get Healthy JES (GHJES)” project I designed is one in which students, parents, and staff chose to participate in a structured and purposeful activity. Over a 6 week period, student and adult participants learned to set personal, achievable goals through the maintenance of a physical activity and food log. The “GHJES Challenge Card” enabled all participants to document physical activity and eating habit data. We challenged everyone to “eat smart and move more” by performing some type of daily activity at least 4 days per week, for 6 weeks. Interested individuals were urged to eat moderate portions that included plenty of fruits and vegetables. Upon the completion of the 6 week challenge, over 100 participants returned a completed challenge card! Success! Students, not to mention their families, felt a difference physically and mentally and were able to describe to others the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating habits!

I think this is what Project Fit America is all about-changing lives one school at a time. I have continued to encourage students to explore different physical activities and find what is enjoyable for them. I reach out and collaborate with many local organizations and I provide unique physical activity opportunities to students, who may not have otherwise had the chance to experience them. For example, I approached the owner of our local Tumblebee Gym (TG) and coordinated with her to have a gymnastics coach and gymnastics equipment brought to our school during our gymnastics unit so that students can be trained in an area where our equipment is inadequate and my teaching experience is limited. I also invite the coaches from the local Golf Fore Juniors Clinic (GFJC) to our school to assist in teaching golf skills to the students during our striking unit; again using their equipment and expertise to further the learning of my students.
Both of these activities provide an introduction in a variety of motor skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every child.

As learners, students and I are taught gymnastics skills such as traveling, rolling, balancing, weight transfer from the TG program and by the end of the GFJC students and I have learned to select and use the correct club for each specific golf shot and perform the “L to L Swing.”    Bringing in programs such as these not only utilizes the area resources available geographically, but it also enriches the quality of the JES PE program by expanding curricular choices. By making connections with the community outside of school, I have been able to expand my program while improving my students’ physical fitness. I would encourage any PFA school to seek out organizations in the community that are willing help further your PE program just as the PFA curriculum furthered your program.

We also do several service projects as a way of giving back to the community that gives so much to us such as Jump Rope for Heart and the Turkey Trot. Through projects such as these, students are able to raise monetary donations to further research and educational materials or donate canned food items to the local food bank to assist those in need. I urge students to display their cooperative and compassionate spirits by working together as we help and give to those who are less fortunate.

I am also very proud to say that I am the coach of the JES Jumping Eagle Jump Rope Team. The jump rope team is an extra-curricular activity for 4th and 5th grade skilled jumpers. I volunteer my time to coordinate and promote jump rope exercising beyond school PE classes. The group provides an arena for highly skilled individuals to be part of a team that is greatly recognized and admired in our school community. I establish various relationships throughout our area and provide opportunities for students to perform and entertain audiences of all ages. The team is held in such high regard that students begin practicing and setting personal goals to be a team member before they are even eligible! The students often learn new routines using short ropes, long ropes, partner ropes, pogo sticks, etc. and are expected to memorize them to the beat of the selected music. [Watch the video of Jefferson Elementary School's ljump rope team showing us an AMAZING performance at Center City Park. Originally aired on Fox 8 WGHP April 28, 2010.]

Students amaze me at their ability to repeat cue words for routines and actually demonstrate/explain each skill when called upon. Team members truly understand that appropriate practice always improves performance. Jump Rope Team members become more assertive, independent individuals and classroom teachers report that they often display more self control than their classmates. They exhibit a significant amount of improved self confidence and self esteem from the beginning of the jumping season to the end of the school year. This is not only evident at their end of the year showcase performance but is also noted by classroom teachers and parents.

So if you are in NC and want to see an amazing group of athletes I know they would love to perform for you! Whew-that is a lot....... But I still want to mention this - Outside of my school, I also have the privilege to be a regional trainer for PFA. As a PFA Trainer I am able to enhance the school curriculum by integrating the PFA program into the existing program. Using the school site’s students, equipment and space, I demonstrate well designed lessons from the PFA curriculum that facilitate student learning and maximize practice opportunities. I am able to present for PE teachers as they learn how to chart and challenge cardio, strength training, skill development, etc. as part of an assessment that will in turn add validity to their program.   The best part about being a trainer though is getting to meet other PE teachers who deal with the same issues, concerns, nightmares, and successes that I do. I love that I continue to network and LEARN best practices from not only other PFA trainers but also the PFA schools/teachers I work with through the web, telephone and further personal onsite training. Being a PFA trainer connects me with the best PE teachers around the nation! I can not wait to get on the road again and meet new PE friends! Thanks for everything PFA!!!!!!