Iowa Association For Health, Physical Education, Recreation And Dance (IAHPERD)
State of Iowa
Legislature Alert
EMiddle School Teacher of the Year- 2011
Jodi Larson
From left to right: JodiLarson (Middle School Teacher of the Year)
Jodi Larson has taught physical education at Northview Middle School in Ankeny for the past 6 years.
She can be characterized as a true learner and a natural leader. Her
teaching style is eloquently balanced between a fierce focus on results
and the innate ability to foster positive relationships with all stakeholders. Specifically,
she has been instrumental in creating a true Professional Learning Community
within the physical education/health department. With Jodi’s
lead, the teachers have collaboratively aligned their research-based
practices with the district’s expectations in the triangulation
of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She has been a strong
advocate for the role of physical education and health in the lifestyle
of all students, and the consistent implementation of content literacy
strategies seamlessly connects her content with other content areas throughout
the school community. During the summer of 2005, she took the lead as
Northview Middle school moved to an integrated physical education-health
concept where students participated in a program designed to help them
make informed health decisions in regard to their social, emotional,
physical and mental health. The
program emphasizes personal fitness, team sports and life skills through
a variety of activities from which students have an opportunity to choose. During
this process, she successfully guided her department through the development
of physical education standards that included meaningful content, specific
skill development, and extensive work on assessments linked to the standards.
In 2010, She helped develop curriculum aligned with the NASPE standards and has the creativity to meet these guidelines in non-traditional means. She developed a “Survivor Challenge” and an “Amazing Race Challenge” to promote teamwork, leadership, cooperation and sportsmanship amongst students. While students are developing these affective characteristics they are simultaneously meeting fitness guidelines. Jodi’s ability to think outside of the box has introduced new activities and given traditional activities a new twist. Her implementation of these new ideas ensures that all students are able to succeed and that PE is not just for the physically gifted.
Jodi’s efforts have helped take a traditional PE program and turn it into a PE4Life Model school. She has been able to promote simple ideas and strategies to visiting teachers to help them build an effective program. The networking also allows her to gain valuable insights and strategies from other teachers.
Jodi is relentless with learning, reflection, and the drive to succeed. She
will always work to provide a successful and rewarding experience for
her students while ensuring lifelong skills that will affect them beyond
their years at Northview Middle School.