PAWS Institute Held for Local Teachers

by Brad Duncan

Robert P. Pangrazi, an emeritus professor from Arizona State University, worked with Kentucky physical education and health teachers during the 2009 PAWS Institute.

In October 2008, the UK College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KHP) announced the kick-off of the Physical Activity and Wellness Schools Program (PAWS). As part of the program's ongoing efforts, KHP faculty held the inaugural PAWS Institute on Friday, June 12, at Lexington's Bryan Station High School.

The PAWS Institute is a professional development opportunity being offered for health and physical education teachers in grades K-12 that will provide participants with sessions focused on innovative games, health education, health promotion, dance, fitness, classroom physical activity and more.

"Our goal is to assist schools in integrating the values of the PAWS program," said Aaron Beighle, co-director of the institute and assistant professor in KHP. "This institute includes sessions that will provide these teachers fundamental methods in improving health and physical activity opportunities for youth."

In addition to KHP faculty and graduate students, Robert P. Pangrazi and Beth McNeill will be on hand to provide instruction and guidance throughout the day. Pangrazi is a professor emeritus in the Arizona State University Department of Kinesiology and is best know for his books "Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children" and "Dynamic Physical Education for Secondary School Children." McNeill is an associate instructional professor of pedagogy in the Texas A&M University Department of Health and Kinesiology. She is a 20-year veteran of public school teaching and has worked with middle school, high school, and at-risk pregnant and parenting students.

"The Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion is pleased to sponsor the first PAWS Institute," said Melody Noland, KHP chair and the George and Betty Blanda Endowed Professor in Education. "With over 100 health and PE teachers from around Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio in attendance, this is an opportunity to impact the amount and quality of physical activity that students are getting. We hear so much in the news about the poor health of school children like obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes and lack of physical activity. The solution to many of these problems is more physical activity and better health knowledge and skills. We hope to provide innovative ways to provide physical education and health education and to encourage teachers to never stop promoting wellness in their schools and communities."

PAWS was created thanks to a gift from UK alumni Steve and Elaine Harris and funds from the George and Betty Blanda Endowed Professorship. Initially, the program will utilize KHP resources and faculty to help make Clays Mill Elementary School and Tates Creek High School students and staff healthier.

KHP faculty and graduate assistants will work with the schools to implement programs and activities based on needs-assessment, ranging from blood pressure and cholesterol screenings for staff to nutrition education for students to planning wellness activities. The KHP department will conduct research and evaluation of the program with hopes that the program will be able to spread across the county, state and country.