Dear Apison Elementary School Parents/Guardians:

My name is Michael Weller, I will be your child's Developmental Physical Education teacher this year. I want to briefly describe the Developmental Physical Education program at Apison Elementary School and what your child can expect to learn over the next few years. Let me begin by briefly describing my professional background.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. The core courses included work in English, history, mathematics, and science. General education courses included work in educational psychology, child development and how they learn motor skills, scientific aspects of physical fitness and sports, as well as effective teaching techniques and progressions for a variety of lifetime sports and fitness activities.

In the study of health,  courses included first aid and safety, personal health, nutrition, and wellness. With a focus in science, studies included anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, biology, and chemistry.

I also hold a Master of Education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in educational administration, supervision, and leadership. This degree included intensive studies in leadership, research, technology, organizational decision-making, legal and political implications, and educational issues. As a result of taking these university courses, attending professional conferences, as well as organizing and presenting developmental physical education training sessions, and nearly 30 years of full time teaching, I have designed a program for children that helps them develop the physical competence that lead to confidence and participation in physical activity for a lifetime. My goal is to help children find a variety of ways to enjoy being physically active so that they will be able to get all of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social benefit that come to someone who is physically active.

At Apison Elementary School your child will have instruction in developmental physical education at least 40 minutes per week. The program has been designed to focus on three major areas that contribute to one's health and well-being:


Movement Concepts. In the early grades, for example, the program emphasizes the variety of ways we travel (e.g. running, skipping, hopping), changes of direction and speeds, and different ways to balance, jump, and land.

Skill Themes. Basic motor skills such as throwing, kicking, volleying , and striking with a racket are taught in the lower grades. In the upper grades, the children are taught how to use the fundamental skills in games and sports, gymnastics, and various forms of rhythmical movement.

Wellness Concepts are taught throughout the program. They include, for example, personal safety, healthy foods, and ways to improve cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility.

As a teacher, I recognize that children are at different developmental levels, with a variety of interests. For this reason in every class I attempt to provide all of the children with learning experiences that are both beneficial and enjoyable. Each lesson is also adjusted to take into account the wide range of skill and fitness levels that characterize children in elementary school.

In closing I want to invite you to observe your child in his or her physical education class at any time during the year. If you have the opportunity to visit, you will quickly see that your child's physical education classes are different from the old "gym classes" that consisted of running laps, jumping jacks, picking teams, and competitive sports.

I am very proud of the Developmental Physical Education program at Apison Elementary School and I am looking forward to being your child's physical education teacher this year.

Sincerely,
Michael A. Weller, B.S., M.Ed.
Apison Elementary School
Developmental Physical Education Specialist