WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 8, 2016 — Educators from all over the state of West Virginia converged on West Liberty University’s Academic, Sports and Recreation Center (ASRC) recently as the College of Education was selected as a host for national training of Physical Activity Leaders (PAL).
“We are proud to be picked as a site for this important training that encourages physical fitness in schools around the nation. We welcome Judy LoBianco and Katie Lanza, two dynamic national trainers, to the Hilltop,” said Assistant Professor Kathleen Wack, who organized the March 4 event.
“It is wonderful to see pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, local school administrators, and COE faculty and staff participating in this workshop and training,” remarked Dr. Keely Camden, dean of the College of Education. Many of the participants also are alumni of the university.
Josh Grant, Coordinator of Health and Physical Education for the West Virginia Department of Education, was also in attendance.
“We are working to become the first state in the nation to enroll every elementary school as a Let’s Move! Active School. We know that healthy, active students learn better, and workshops such as this give educators the knowledge they need to support this movement,” Grant said.
More than 100 teachers, coaches and physical education professionals attended from all over the state. Most were K -12 educators. Current WLU students also took part in the national training, offered by SHAPE America.
After successful completion of the program, all participants received certification as a Physical Activity Leader (PAL) professional.
The PAL certification is a key component of the Let’s Move! Active Schools movement, an initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama. Physical Activity Leaders are the “champions” of each school that lead, facilitate, and promote the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPs).
The first of its kind, the PAL Learning System is a cutting-edge, all-inclusive professional development resource within the Let’s Move! Active Schools framework. Adaptable to individual school environments, the 12-month PAL Learning System develops and supports individuals who will champion an effort to ensure 60 minutes a day of physical activity for all school-age youth.
WLU’s College of Education is well known throughout the region and offers both undergraduate and master’s programs. For details, please visit westliberty.edu/education or Dr. Camden at 304-336-8247.