Morris receives national award for helping students become active
Original Source – Fall 2015 – Page 10
There are more than 3 million public school teachers in the United States; 41,820 of them teach in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; three of them will receive a national award; one of them is Shane Morris, a 2013 Campbellsville University graduate.
Morris received the Let’s Move! Active Schools 2015 National Award for his “outstanding efforts in creating an Active School environment and increasing physical activity and physical education opportunities for students,” according to the LMAS website. Morris is one of two teachers from Grayson County Middle School to be honored with this award.
“We here at GCMS are extremely grateful and honored to receive the National Healthy Schools Bronze Award for leading comprehensive health, physical activity and wellness efforts during the 2014-2015 school year,” he said. “We would not have been able to make this happen without the tremendous support from our administration, staff and community.”
The award celebrates a school’s commitment to integrate at least 60 minutes of physical activity before, during and after the school day. To achieve this award, Morris said the school held a “30 Day Push-Up Challenge” before school, brain breaks and walk-a-thons during the day and archery and Ultimate Frisbee after school. Nutrition policies were also put in place to limit the number of celebrations and food awards, and fresh fruit was sold for fundraisers.
“These schools are raising the bar by creating Active School environments where students are happier, healthier and higher-performing. I am thrilled with their success through Let’s Move! Active Schools – they’re helping to create a new norm where physical activity is a fundamental aspect of a young person’s success both in the classroom and in life,” said First Lady Michelle Obama, Let’s Move! campaign founder.
Morris said he wasn’t sure how many students would show up each morning to do push-ups, but the numbers were astounding.
“The students wanted to be active,” he said. “They really enjoyed the opportunity to be moving and exercising before the start of their school day.”
Dr. Donna Wise, chair of human performance at CU, said Morris was an outstanding student in the human performance and physical education program, and is not surprised he is being recognized.
“This award shows Shane’s commitment to changing the life of students through activity and a healthier choice,” she said. “He has a passion for his job, commitment to his students and constantly seeks new ideas and initiatives to becoming better. Our division congratulates Shane for this recognition.”
The CU School of Education “helped me tremendously,” Morris said. “They prepared me for what my first few years would be like as well as to always be open when asked to do something for your school. CU taught me to not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone while teaching.”
While most teachers begin teaching at 8 a.m. every day, Morris begins at 7 a.m., doing various physical activities for students, such as the “push-up challenge.” During the day he teaches regular health, physical education and dance classes. When not teaching, he and his colleagues collaborate on reviewing the program, new activities and strategies, and furthering their own education to improve the program.
“I am honored that they recognized me from my school, but this is a school award and a school accomplishment,” he said. “It took all of us coming together as a school to make this happen. I love my job, love my colleagues, love teaching health and PE. Go Cougars!”
Morris is the son of Steve Morris (’99, M ’06), director of maintenance at Campbellsville University, and his wife, Carolyn.
To learn more, visit www.letsmoveschools.org.