Moving Lives, Changing Futures

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Susan Fishback's journey from dancer to elementary PE teacher reveals a profound understanding of how early movement experiences shape our lifelong relationship with physical activity. Having taught students from a variety of demographics including those with diverse physical abilities, Susan brings a unique perspective to physical education that goes far beyond sports skills.

Her implementation of the Active Kids and Minds program (formerly BOKS) demonstrates how accessible, enjoyable movement opportunities can transform school communities. What began with 70 students quickly grew to over 100, showing the tremendous appetite for structured physical activity in schools. This free program, with training and curriculum now available online, represents a powerful tool for educators seeking to increase movement opportunities for their students.

The heart of Susan's teaching philosophy centers on inclusion and relationship-building. From her thoughtfully designed class opening and closing circles to her "star student" recognition system, every element of her program aims to build confidence and community. Her innovative pre-teaching peer modeling program created meaningful participation opportunities for students with different abilities while fostering empathy among classmates. These efforts ultimately led her previous school to become a Unified Elementary School through Special Olympics, creating student-led initiatives to increase inclusion throughout the school day.

Physical education in Susan's gymnasium transcends simple games - each activity intentionally develops multiple skills simultaneously. Even a straightforward game like Castle Ball incorporates throwing for power and accuracy, strategy development, and teamwork. This multifaceted approach challenges the common misconception that PE teachers "just roll a ball out" and highlights the expertise required to deliver quality physical education.

As Susan looks to the future, she advocates for more movement opportunities both within and beyond school walls. Whether through increased PE time, additional recess, or accessible community programs, her vision centers on helping every child discover the joy of movement in ways that will sustain them throughout life.

Resources:

https://activekids.org/

https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/youth-and-schools/unified-schools

Contact:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-fishback-8b330243/

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