We Want Fit Hearts and Bodies to Go with Our Fit Brains

My Students

My students are eager to live healthier and love to exercise. I noticed how happy and motivated they were to learn after completing 50 jumping jacks, and seeing who could hold the longest squat. Attaining simple mats and dumbbells, I can show my students how to be fit, happy, and healthy! Lets go!

My students are inner city youth that do not have many outlets to be physical.

They come from all around Chicago and a large percent of our student body are refugees. They are new to this country, culture, and lifestyle as well as our love for fast food! My students are unaware of the risks of eating poorly are and do not have many outlets to be physical. Our school is growing and is performing wonderfully academically but lacks sports for them to participate in. Our school is limited in space and we share the gym with another school so our students have gym once a week for 45 minutes. They absolutely love their gym time. I am looking to add some health and fitness in their lives afterschool for boys and girls in grades 5-8. I will do this my instructing fitness workouts afterschool every week. Our school is apart of the healthy schools campaign and with your help we can get physical!

My Project

My students have a very long day. They start at 8 am and finish at 3:30. Of course, my students receive 45 minutes to have lunch and recess but in reality they do not move around much because our playground is so small and in the winter they are stuck in the classroom. Most of their time is spent sitting down. A few of my kids have never exercised before and eat very poorly. No one has ever taken the time to teach and motivate them and that is what I would like to do for them. With the mats and dumbbells I will be able to lead workouts that will get them moving, lift their self esteem and show them moves they can do at home. Many of my girls in 8th grade suffer from low self esteem and decide to not eat lunch to lose weight. They simply do not know other options. I want to show them. I would like to instill with them a passion for fitness and show them how easy it is to be active even if they can't join a sport or go the park because they live in an unsafe neighborhood.

I know many teachers ask for books, crayons, pencils and other items that seem more in need but I am asking to help change bad habits that are hurting the health of our children.

Type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing in our little ones and its due to poor eating and lack of exercise. I want to lift their self esteem, show them that exercise helps our minds, body and soul when stressed and lead them to a healthier lifestyle. Please help me reach my students through the joy of exercise. Thank you!