• SLPS honors PE Teachers of the Year

    St. Louis American
     

    Posted: Thursday, December 13, 2012 12:05 am

    SLPS honors PE Teachers of the Year By American staff St. Louis American |

    The St. Louis Public School District and the St. Louis Rams Foundation have awarded the 2012 Elementary and Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Awards to two educators who have made notable contributions improving the physical fitness and health and wellness of District students.

     
    The 2012 Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award has been presented to Russell Arms, a Physical Education Teacher at Lexington Elementary School. An educator with the district since 1988, Arms stresses good sportsmanship and self-discipline, and has worked to incorporate nutrition education into his physical fitness program. He has coached girls and boys basketball for 21 years and girls and boys tennis for 15 years.
     

    “Mr. Arms is more than a physical education teacher. He is a beacon of light and a pillar of our community,” said Myra Pendleton, Principal of Lexington Elementary School. “He has become our ‘go to man.’ No matter the time or place, Mr. Arms is prepared, ready and willing to serve our children.”

     

    The 2012 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award has been presented to Joseph Lindell, a Physical Education Teacher at Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center. An educator with the district since 2001, Lindell has the distinct honor of piloting the fitness gram computer program to help track students’ fitness levels. Lindell chairs the School Health Advisory Council, is the lead facilitator of an athletic partnership with St. Louis University High School, and sponsors a number of clubs, sports and activities.  

     

    “As of this writing, Mr. Lindell sponsors/coaches the soccer team, boys and girls basketball teams, and the only middle school bicycle club in the state of Missouri,” said Susan Reid, Principal of Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center.

     

    “Additionally, he collaborates with the school nurse to bring in speakers regarding health and wellness topics such as epilepsy, AIDS, and blood-borne pathogens and nutrition.”

     

    As the 2012 Elementary and Middle School Physical Education Teachers of the Year, Arms and Lindell were honored at an awards reception, and presented with a $1,000 cash award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. In addition, they were given a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for classroom supplies and/or professional development courtesy of the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund. 

    To become the 2012 Elementary and Middle School Physical Education Teachers of the Year, applicants must explain their philosophy and approach to teaching; provide classroom lesson plans following the AIM PE Curriculum; be recommended by a principal and a professional colleague; and pass a classroom evaluation conducted by a team of professionals.