About the Instructor: This is my 11th year (9th consecutive since coming back in 2015) as a Physical Education teacher here at The Obama Scool (formerly Palisade Prep). This marks my 16th year teaching overall, and my 13th in Yonkers Public Schools. I’ve taught Physical Education for every grade from Kindergarten to Seniors. I have taught Health for grades six to tweleve. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education & Health Education from Ithaca College, where I was a four-year member and senior captain of the Varsity Basketball Team. I also have a Master's Degree in Health Education from Ithaca College. I have a Master's Degree in School Building Leadership & School District Leadership from Mercy College. Additionally, I am the Varsity Boy's Basketball Coach here at Obama HS. This will be my 12th season as the Varsity Head Coach. We have won 4 league titles, 2 city championships and 1 Section Championship in 2013! Our program has had three All-Section players and ten all-conference players during my tenure as coach. In addition, ten players have graduated from our program and gone on to play at the college level. 

About Physical Education: According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), physical education is the foundation of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program. It is an academic subject characterized by a planned, sequential K–12 curriculum (course of study) that is based on the national standards for physical education. Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness. Supporting schools to establish physical education daily can provide students with the ability and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. 

There are many benefits of physical education in schools. When students get physical education, they can:

• Increase their level of physical activity.
• Improve their grades and standardized test scores.
• Stay on-task in the classroom.

Increased time spent in physical education does not negatively affect students’ academic achievement.