Chaotic and loud are two words that are often used to describe middle school gym classes. And yet, when presented with the opportunity, several faculty members lept at the chance to join a gym class to workout alongside their students. Middle school gym teacher Steven “Steve O” Oestreich recently invited teachers to attend his middle school gym classes to improve connections between them and their students.
“I wanted the students to workout with teachers so that they could inspire each other,” said Oestreich. “They see their teachers as a math teacher but they don’t see them working out, and the teachers see them as students but they don’t see them working out. I wanted them to be able to come together and do that and inspire one another.”
Oestreich began the project two weeks ago as a part of the three-year faculty program with the theme of “Inspire.” Ten teachers have already joined a gym class at least once including Scott Benke, Madeline Patramanis, Owen Barton, Ruthann Thorne, Sarah Longcore, Andy Lammers, Natalie Caramagno, Evan Jackson, Brandon Groff, and Jarrett Bussell.
“I think it’s a really positive way to keep the students and the teachers involved,” said middle school gym teacher Bussell. “It’s important for the students to see adults in the building staying active and living a healthy lifestyle.”
Teachers received an email from Oestreich explaining the idea and students were then able to invite various teachers to attend their gym class for the workout portion. The students specified it would be when they had class at the end of the day.
“They said they usually do the workout at the beginning so I just showed up then,” said middle school math teacher Benke. “I walked in and joined in on some badminton for a while then they got to their workout portion.”
Benke plans on making a routine of attending their gym classes when possible. While he was there, he participated in various bodyweight exercises alongside his students.
“It was a good workout and I’m always in search of something good and different,” said Benke. “I think our wellness and athletics departments do a good job of guiding kids through good workouts and teaching the sports that they do to set them up for a future of working out.”
Students were excited about the opportunity to workout alongside their teachers.
“I definitely enjoyed it more than a regular gym class when the teachers came,” said Roya Haerian ‘31. “We still did the same workouts and then they ended up leaving after the workout, but just the fact that they were there and they came made it more fun.”
Oftentimes students have a one-sided view of their teachers and getting the chance to connect with them in a different environment made an impact.
“I really enjoyed how they were able to do the same workouts as us even though they’re older,” said Sylvia Beamish ‘31. “It was nice being able to see them outside of the classroom and be able to just talk to them.”
Oestreich said that the teachers had mixed reactions but enjoyed it just as much as the students did overall. Students felt more motivated to put more effort into their workouts when the teachers were there.
“Some of the teachers are like ‘I don’t believe they did all those pushups that fast’ and other teachers are like ‘I’m exhausted from this workout the kids do,’” said Oestriech. “The students are more amazed like ‘Oh this is my French teacher here why are they working out?’ or ‘Oh they’re my math teacher why are they playing badminton?’ And so they’re really stunned by that. I think it forces the kids to up their game a little bit too.”
Seeing teachers in different settings outside of the classroom offers a new perspective to students.
“I think it’s one thing to see a teacher teaching their class in a more authority role,” said Bussell. “But when they then get invited to a gym class to do the workout with them, it’s like they’re peers in a sense. They’re not just teaching the kid at that time and I think it can help build those connections between teachers and students.”
The project is meant to facilitate deeper connections between the teachers and students.
“Any time they can see you in a different light it’s good,” said Benke. “I know when we take students to Washington, D.C., on retreats, or as a coach, students get an opportunity to see a different side of their teacher. I think it’s always good for them to know that you’re human rather than someone who sleeps in their classroom.”
Oestreich plans to continue this program throughout the year. He teaches B, D, E, and F periods and encourages anyone to join in if they have time.
“If any student wants to drop in at the start and do a workout it would be more than welcome,” said Oestreich. “You’re an inspiration to the young ones, that’s for sure.”
