Charles County, MD (Jan. 10, 2025) – Valeri Cheseldine, a physical education teacher at Eva Turner Elementary School, recently began her term as president of the Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) of Maryland, a state organization promoting health and fitness education for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Cheseldine, who has been teaching at Turner since 2020, views elementary physical education as foundational to child development.
“Health and physical education are integral parts of a child’s learning process as they encompass the whole child,” Cheseldine said in a 2023 interview. Her involvement with SHAPE has included serving on its board of directors and stepping in as convention manager during its 2022 conference, a role that earned her a Presidential Citation.
Honoring Local Educators
At SHAPE’s October conference, three Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) physical education teachers received the prestigious Simon McNeely Award for their leadership and innovative teaching practices. Among the honorees were Kyle Krupa of St. Charles High School, Amy Robinson, CCPS aquatics lead, and Julie Snavely of Milton M. Somers Middle School.
Building a Healthy Future
Krupa, who has been with CCPS for 20 years, teaches at St. Charles High School and has worked at various school levels, including elementary and middle school. He emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to balance screen time with physical activity.
“Students tend to search for information online rather than read deeply, affecting their understanding of physical health,” Krupa said. However, he also acknowledges the benefits of technology, such as fitness apps, in making physical education more engaging.
Krupa maintains his own fitness by running and biking, often accompanied by his dog. “This combination of personal exercise and family involvement helps me maintain a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said.
Diving into Water Safety
Amy Robinson, who leads CCPS’s aquatics program, works with fifth-grade students in a water safety initiative that uses American Red Cross principles. The program includes classroom instruction followed by hands-on training in local high school pools, where students practice life-saving skills.
Robinson, with 17 years of experience at CCPS, enjoys working with both elementary and high school students. “I love teaching new concepts, engaging in meaningful conversations, and building relationships,” she said.
Robinson also stays active through weightlifting, gardening, kayaking, and fishing. She was recently elected to SHAPE Maryland’s board, where she is collaborating with educators from Wicomico County Public Schools and the Ocean City Beach Patrol to develop a statewide water safety curriculum.
Energizing Middle Schoolers
At Milton M. Somers Middle School, Julie Snavely, a physical education teacher with 23 years of experience, brings creativity and energy to her lessons. On a mild November day, her eighth-grade students practiced pickleball drills on the tennis courts. Snavely even joined in to partner with students, earning praise for her hands-on teaching approach.
“She’s really good at going step-by-step and going over things,” said Brynn Barry, one of her students.
Snavely acknowledges that technology has led to more sedentary habits among students, but she adapts her lessons to keep students engaged and active. “I try to build on the basics of skills and do a lot of modification when it comes to gameplay,” she said.
Her efforts don’t go unnoticed by her students. “She’s literally such a good teacher,” said eighth-grader Kebron Endalamaw. “She’s very chill and really nice.”
Promoting Fitness and Leadership
Charles County’s physical education teachers continue to lead by example, inspiring students to embrace healthy lifestyles and stay active. Whether through innovative programs, technology, or hands-on lessons, these educators are shaping the next generation of health-conscious individuals.
