The start of a new school year is always exciting for Foothill Elementary School physical education teacher Sue Brittenham, but this year is particularly thrilling since being recognized as the 2006 Central District Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) for her outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today's youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. Honored at the organization's national convention in Salt Lake City this past April, she has crisscrossed the country this summer as a national spokesperson, advocating the importance of a quality school physical education program for every child in America.

Brittenham, who epitomizes leadership and provides encouragement to other educators wishing to make an impact on their students, will be making numerous presentations to her peers around the country this coming school year as part of the NASPE/Sportime Teacher of the Year Workshop Series. In addition to her physical education teaching responsibilities, Brittenham was recently asked to serve 50% as the physical education coordinator for the Boulder Valley School District which will give her more time to devote to strengthening the overall physical education program.

At summer meetings held with members of Congress and officials of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Brittenham talked about the important role physical education programs play in preventing childhood obesity and related health problems, such as type II diabetes. She wholeheartedly believes that physical activity is critical to improved school and work performance, the health and quality of life of all individuals.

Brittenham knows first hand that the challenges specifically faced by physical educators are daunting. According to the 2006 Shape of theNation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA, released by NASPE and the American Heart Association (AHA), currently 17% (over nine million) of children and teens age 6 to 19 years are overweight and an additional 31% are at risk for being overweight. Additionally, most states do not require a specific amount of instructional time for physical education classes, about half allow exemptions, waivers, and/or substitutions and approximately 30% of states do not mandate physical education for elementary and middle school students. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports that only one third of high school students get enough physical activity and 10% get no physical activity. With those facts in play, students need motivating and results-driven physical educators more than ever. Students need physical educators that will get them excited about physical activity and fitness and start them on the path to a lifetime of physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

NASPE President Jackie Lund, Ph.D., says that with the new federal legislation that mandates school wellness policies, physical education teachers have a broader role in schools than ever before. "They should be the physical activity leaders for the school," says Dr. Lund, associate professor and coordinator of the Health Physical Education Graduate Teacher Education Program at Georgia State University. "When schools meet the time recommendations of 150 minutes per week (elementary) and 225 minutes per week (middle and high school) of instructional physical education, physical education teachers will have the opportunity to reach nearly every child in school and educate them for a healthy lifestyle."

Brittenham's philosophy is "I believe we have a golden opportunity to help young children establish healthy habits they can continue for a lifetime. I believe physical educators need to ask themselves three questions while planning lessons and while teaching: "What is worth learning?", "What is worth student time and effort?" and "What is meaningful and relevant to the lives of our students?". The answers to those questions are the key to quality physical education and increasing students' ultimate quality of life."

One of Brittenham's newest and most innovative activities is the pedometer education program that equips first through fifth graders with a pedometer for seven consecutive days. The students monitor their results, establish a baseline and are encouraged to increase their daily steps. The program also allows students and their families to check-out pedometers and join in the activity at home. Professionally, Brittenham is a member of NASPE and serves as chair of the Advocacy Committee for the Colorado Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (COAHPERD).

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 17,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information. It is the largest of the five national associations that make the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). To assess whether your child is receiving a quality physical education program, visit www.naspeinfo.org/observePE for an observation assessment tool.