Iowa Association For Health, Physical Education, Recreation And Dance (IAHPERD)
State of Iowa
Legislature Alert
Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year- 2005
John Baker
From left to right: Deb Dearden-Eldred (Regognition Committee Chair), (Dr. Carol Phillips (2005 president, IAHPERD), John Baker (Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year),
John Baker
John Baker is the elementary physical education at Hanawalt and Cowles Elementary Schools in Des Moines, Iowa
Mr. Baker (or Mr. B as he is known to the students) introduces the importance of daily physical activity and the long-term benefits to be gained. Through his varied programs of nutrition, heart monitors and pedometers, the children become aware of how physical fitness impacts and improves their daily lives. The children are tested through out the year with goals set for each to achieve. Under Mr. Baker’s guidance, the children strive to better their levels at each testing period, showing students the satisfaction to be gained from attaining their goals as well as improving fitness.
John has implemented several programs at Hanawalt that promote a healthy lifestyle including Jump Rope for Heart. His curriculum is diverse as he strives to reach out to children of all abilities and skill levels. This can be experienced through his year-end track meet. John is very creative and is a visionary in the physical education field. He has helped develop and promote a citywide track meet for elementary students and trains a group of students to run in the Drake Relays.
John’s commitment to his field of physical education is an inspiration to all of his students. He has dedicated his life to the physical health and well-being of children and adults. He makes learning about physical education fun! Because of John’s enthusiasm and wide range of activities at Hanawalt, students look forward to participating in PE each week.
John’s expertise doesn’t stop in his gym working with his students. He is can be seen at the State capitol advocating for quality health and physical education programs. He is a natural when it come to meeting with legislators and is explaining the values of our curriculum.
As Mrs. Helen Oliver (John’s principal) stated: John is one of the best physical education teachers I have supervised in the past 20 years.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I would like to introduce to you: the 2005 Elementary Teacher of the Year, John Baker.