By

Nusheka Quarles,   Marshall Middle

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Access to Healthy Foods

Being a Physical Educator for middle school girls is not easy! I have to deal with stomach aches, clothing issues, and sometimes. " I just don't feel like it coach"! Well I am here to tell you that 99 percent of my students participate daily! I had to utilize programs like Fuel Up to Play 60, various lesson plans, and high energy activities to make my class fun! One day, I taught a lesson on eating fruits and veggies daily. The girls were not feeling it! So I tricked them into having a smoothie party one Friday. I mixed greens, apples, strawberries, grapes, and more! Ninety-five percent of the girls loved it! I shared with them that eating healthy can be fun and taste good too! I also shared with them ways to purchase fruits and veggies affordably. One of my students stated, " Coach, this is kind of cool! I will try this at home sometimes". Man, that made me proud to be a PE teacher.

How did you accomplish your goals?

I accomplished the goal of getting my students to eat fruits and veggies by making it fun, new, and engaging.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

Every semester I will take the time out to have a healthy smoothie party with my class.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

I've noticed that students tell me at lunch every time they decide to eat something green or eat fruit. They show me and that means I'm making a difference.