I want to share an enjoyable moment with you. Recently, I was in Sacramento to film a discussion on physical activity promotion in schools organized by the California Department of Public Health’s Project LEAN. When the video is posted online, I’ll let you know.
While we were waiting in the “green room” before the filming I had inspiring conversations with my fellow panelists whom I had just met. A former teacher of the year who works in a small town was talking about his efforts to improve physical education in his new position at district manager of physical education, health, and sports. One of his goals was to use a common curriculum so students would benefit from a cohesive approach throughout their time in his district. He also wanted teachers in elementary and middle schools to communicate about physical education using the same terms and principles. I was pleased when he started talking about SPARK as his curriculum of choice. Beyond that, he saw SPARK as a partner in his efforts. He was enthusiastic about the support he received in planning his strategy, the quality of the training and the trainers, and that the curricula had consistent principles across levels applied in an age-appropriate way. He was really surprised when I told him I am a co-founder of SPARK. He thanked me for starting such a great program, and I thanked him for embracing SPARK.
The other panelist was a superintendent of a California school district. Though she was not a PE teacher, she was highly committed to coordinated school health and very familiar with SPARK. It was a treat to hear her impressions about SPARK and her appreciation for the efforts of the SPARK staff to support her efforts to improve the health of children in her district. She had seen SPARK benefit those students, who are largely low-income and Latino. Based on her experience, she recommends SPARK to others, and what could be more influential to school officials than a recommendation from a superintendent?
It was truly heart-warming to hear these unsolicited testimonials about SPARK. These school leaders did not know my connection with SPARK when they enthused about it, so I know it was totally genuine. This a good moment to thank the SPARK staff for their daily and nightly efforts to make physical education GREAT and to improve children’s health.
Jim Sallis