Member Spotlight

The goal of our "Member Spotlight" Feature is to showcase members that are making a difference and to share how they have benefitted by being an ASAHPERD member. 

 Know a deserving colleague? Nominate them today!

 

March Spotlight

Rebecca Recke

picture of rebecca recke picking up a large pumpkin

 

How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?:
10 plus years

Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?:
I had transferred from Mortimer Jordan High School to Bryan Elementary after 11 years of coaching softball and volleyball and teaching health. I felt like a fish out of water when I walked into the elementary gym the first day and for days to follow. I went from teaching 10th graders to kindergarteners...day and night. I needed to learn so many things. The best source was through the ASAHPERD conferences. My colleagues at Bryan Elementary were familiar with these conferences so we decided to attend together as we began to merge our ideas and develop a curriculum. The 3 of us would go to different sessions to gather all we could at conferences. It became a game changer for my confidence as an elementary teacher and as a corner stone for developing a quality program.

Who has inspired you in your career?:
My biggest inspiration in my career, especially as an elementary teacher of physical education, has been my own children, Dylan and Orion. Both of my children were in school at Bryan when I became their teacher. We would do a variety of activities in class. As children do, they would ask me why was class so boring. Why can't we do this or that? I realized that if my own children felt this, what were the other children feeling. So, my own children taught me way before National Boards to gather feedback. One of the most impactful events my school does is the Family Fun Run. This will be our 17th year. It grew from 50 people at the first event to over 1200 as of last year. This event was started as my own children said, "Mom why can't we have our own race so our friends can come". My kids are grown now; my inspiration is my current "school" children.

What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?:
ASAHPERD membership has increased my self confidence personally and professionally. I really cannot separate the two. My professional self is intertwined with my personal self. They are one in the same. I have had the pleasure and absolute delight in getting to present at conferences throughout the years. I felt vulnerable presenting something from my program; however, my colleagues were very receptive. In every session I presented, there was always a time to interact and receive compliments and questions and ways to learn from others who had done similar activities. Professionally, it gave me confidence that I was perhaps a quality teacher...that perhaps I was making a difference...perhaps I had initiated and developed a program that would be worthy of being imitated...perhaps I was on my way to leaving a "legacy".

Why would you recommend membership to others?:
I would most certainly recommend membership to others. When I was in college at Troy State University, we were told to join our professional organization. I really didn't understand the importance except to receive PD hours. When I became a teacher with my own students and program, I found that I needed to learn from other teachers in my field. I needed to hear from teachers who had experience. I needed to become aware that there are multiple ways to teach the state curriculum. I needed to realize that I was not the only teacher that had obstacles in organization of 120 students in 40 minutes. Membership in this organization provides knowledge way beyond what can be received from a textbook or a website. Attending the conferences are a no brainer. There is an exchange of ideas and modifications so that everyone takes away valuable information. To have a quality program...to take pride in what we do in the gym...we have to be continuous learners...adapting to our own environment on a daily basis.


 

February Spotlight 

Melissa Hubauer

How long have you been a member of ASAHPERD?:
12 years

Why did you decide to join ASAHPERD?:
I decided to join ASAHPERD to further my professional career in the beginning. I had many professors and new colleagues who advised me to join. As a new teacher, ASAHPERD helped me become more acclimated to the profession and connected me with the right personnel to navigate me through those tough first few years. Now being a veteran teacher, I see even greater benefits to being a member. The conference is one thing I look forward to out of all the professional development events in the school year. I love the professional learning community that ASAHPERD represents and encourages; therefore I renew my membership each year.

Who has inspired you in your career?:
Through my eleven years of teaching physical education, I have encountered many wonderful educators, colleagues, and friends. To say only one person has inspired me would be completely false. My professional career has been inspired by so many different strengths and talents from everyone I have worked with. One person who has inspired me to be a better teacher each day is my sister Maggie Burns. Recently chosen Teacher of the Year (for the third time in her career), she always puts her responsibilities as a teacher first and foremost. She has overcome so many obstacles and still continues to thrive as one of the best teachers I know. In addition, the entire faculty and staff of Bluff Park Elementary have completely changed my outlook as a teacher. This is my second year at Bluff Park Elementary, yet I am still in awe of the educational standards every one of these teachers displays. It has rekindled my desire to become a better teacher and school leader.

What has ASAHPERD membership meant to you both personally and professionally?:
ASAHPERD membership is a special organization as it connects people on a variety of levels. It connects PE teachers to health teachers. It connects elementary teachers to secondary teachers. It connects educators to community members. It connects PE teachers to other PE teachers in the same field, area, or year of teaching. The ASAHPERD membership has made me understand that we are all in the same boat thriving for the same outcomes, and we are all here to support each other. Professionally, ASAHPERD has continued to motivate and push me in the right direction that the education system and, more specifically, the physical education realm is heading. It has kept me from becoming complacent in my teaching. Personally, ASAHPERD has kept me in the right headspace as a teacher. Teaching is hard. Teaching large class sizes with minimal time, keeping students safe but active, meeting all the standards, and keeping the energy alive within an elementary school is extremely hard. ASAHPERD has provided the encouragement to keep working harder even in the difficult days. With the support from colleagues and members, ASAHPERD has made me the PE teacher I am today.

Why would you recommend membership to others?:
I would recommend membership to others for the support and resources ASAHPERD offers each year. ASAHPERD gives support to all teachers. I felt supported as a newly graduated applicant, a new teacher and now a teacher of eleven years. I felt supported as a middle school PE teacher and an elementary school PE teacher. ASAHPERD gave me the assistance I needed during the hard days as a new teacher and the creativity contributions on those days that I felt like nothing could get in my way as a veteran teacher. ASAHPERD provides endless resources. The ASAHPERD conferences are what PE teachers look forward to each year. It provides so many wonderful opportunities to choose things I need to work on as well as enhances my program from my already established strengths. I would definitely recommend an ASAHPERD membership to all health and physical education educators.

Know a deserving colleague? Nominate them today!