Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_4462" align="alignleft" width="855"] UW-L Alum MacKenzie Mushel was the 2014 National Dance Teacher of the Year[/caption] UW-L has stellar alums working in the world of physical education, adapted physical education, yoga and dance. In 2014 alone, several alumni took home national, Midwest and Central District awards for their dedication and success in teaching physical education. They are living up to the Latin words on their alma mater’s official seal “Mens Corpusque,” which means “mind and body” and exemplifies the university’s commitment to educating the whole person.

Michael Doyle: 2014 Central District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year

[caption id="attachment_4457" align="alignleft" width="172"] Michael Doyle[/caption] Doyle’s award for the Central District includes nine states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas and Nebraska. He was one of three finalists from across the U.S. for the national award. Doyle teaches adapted physical education at Wayzata High School, West Middle School and East Middle School, in Minnesota. His job is to adapt activities in the general physical education curriculum so all students can be successful. He also received the Minnesota Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (MNAHPERD) Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year award in November 2012. Doyle received his undergraduate and graduate degree from UW-L in 1998 and 2009 with a major both times in exercise sports science-teaching. Doyle says he was fortunate to have Exercise & Sports Science professors like Jeff Steffen and Manny Felix, who have done a fantastic job preparing many quality physical education teachers. “Just in Minnesota alone I see a lot of physical education and adapted physical education teachers from UW-L taking leadership roles in local and state organizations,” Doyle says.

What is your favorite part of teaching?

The rewards of the job include working with students who think that a particular goal or objective is unreachable, and later they realize that, if they put their minds to it, they can accomplish anything. Watching students learn to value the importance of lifelong physical activity is always the goal of a quality physical education program and helping the students grow into physically literate individuals is very rewarding.

MacKenzie Mushel: 2014 National Dance Teacher of the Year

[caption id="attachment_4458" align="alignleft" width="175"] MacKenzie Mushel[/caption] Mushel teaches beginning and advanced level dance classes offered through physical education, as well as adapted physical education, adventure physical education, health and aerobics to grades 9-12, at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to her national award, Mushel was:

• 2014 Central District AAHPERD (SHAPE America) Dance Teacher of the Year
• 2013 Colorado AAHPERD (SHAPE America) Dance Teacher of the Year
• 2011 Poudre School District (PSD) Collaboration Award
• 2009 Poudre School District (PSD) Promising teacher of the year nominee

Mushel graduated from UW-L in December 2005 with a major in K-12 physical education teaching and a minor in adapted physical education. She says her former UW-L adviser Kristin Mally, Exercise & Sports Science, played a major role in her success. “She is an inspiring teacher and challenged me to reflect on my practice and plan intentionally while supporting my interests and passions,” she says. She was drawn to Lori Petersen, ’82, Exercise & Sports Science, for her energy. Petersen also encouraged her to get involved as a leader in Physical Education Majors (PEM) Club and WHPE Future Professionals, which helped Mushel grow as a leader and build lasting relationships, she says. Manny Felix, Exercise & Sports Science, was also a driving force in her journey at UW-L with his innovative ideas and a wealth of information. “His expertise and the outstanding experiences in the APE program have largely influenced my teaching today!,” she says.

What is your favorite part of teaching?

The students — hands down. I am inspired and challenged by them every day. I see the learning in my classroom as a conversation ... often done through movement. The conversation is not one sided, but rather we learn collaboratively from one another, our environment and ourselves.

Victoria Otto: 2011 Illinois Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year and 2012 Midwest Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year

[caption id="attachment_4459" align="alignleft" width="175"] Victoria Otto[/caption] Otto “Ms. Yoga” or “The Yoga Lady” is a secondary physical and health education teacher and assistant girl’s track coach at Highland Park High School, in Highland Park, Illinois. Otto teaches yoga as a junior/senior elective course in physical education. Otto and her students developed the curriculum. “Yoga is the original brain gym!,” she says. Yoga creates a physiological and anatomical connection between the brain and the body, she says. “This class is so extraordinary that it is changing the way every person who comes into contact with me views physical education,” she says. “I believe this is the most exciting, beneficial and unique course being taught in physical education.”

The honors Otto has received include:

• 2013 Golden Apple Nominee
• 2012 Most Inspirational Teacher Appreciation: Western Illinois University
• 2012 National Teacher of the Year Finalist; one of only four finalist in the country
• 2012 Midwest District AHPERD Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
• 2011 Illinois AHPERD Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
• 2011 Northeastern District Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
• HPHS Sabbatical for 2007-2008 School Year.
• 1999 Disney’s American Teacher Award nominee
• 1996-1997 Charles G. Kane Award for Outstanding PE Major, Northeastern Illinois University
• 1996-1997 Gus Ziagos Award, Northeastern Illinois University

Otto received a bachelor’s degree in physical education – corporate fitness from UW-L in 1991. She has also earned additional degrees from Northeastern Illinois University and Pennsylvania State. “Through a series of influences, opportunities and reflection, I’m so happy I found teaching and feel it truly is my calling,” she says. “UW-L laid the foundation for my teaching career and made the transition from corporate fitness to receiving a formal teaching certification easy. I truly believe I received the best education at UW-L. The smaller classes combined with real student-teacher interaction was essential to my growth as a student and person.” She is thankful for Jack Curtis, UW-L professor emeritus, Barb and Mark Gibson, Exercise & Sports Science, and other professors who influenced her. Her UW-L connections continue to grow as she met Lori Petersen, ’82, Exercise & Sports Science, at the AAHPERD (SHAPE America) National Convention in 2013. “I was delighted to find a fellow Eagle and we have continued our dialogue at this year’s national convention brain storming ideas for future collaboration,” she says. Otto adds that UW-L track has been at the core of all of her successes. She thanks former coach Larry Terry who combined a sense of humor with the reality of life; Barry Schockmel who changed the course of her track career; and Mark Guthrie, former UW-L track coach, whose “technical genius and motivation inspired many through his books and workshops,” she says.

“Through sport, I was able to learn so many life lessons a classroom is not able to teach,” she says. “Being in sports gives the lessons and tools to be a successful person and being part of the track team at UW-L is an honor and has brought me a great deal of joy and lasting friendships.”

Maureen Vorwald: 2014 Midwest Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year

[caption id="attachment_4460" align="alignleft" width="165"] Maureen Vorwald[/caption] Vorwald teaches physical education to grades 9 -12 at Platteville High School and is District Wellness Coordinator. After earning the Midwest award, she was nominated for the national secondary physical education teacher award.

Other honors include:

• National Board Certification in 2008
• Herb Kohl Fellowship Award Winner in 2011
• One of 13 physical educators selected nationally to serve on the committee to revise the National Board Professional Teaching Standards for Physical Education in 2011.

Vorwald graduated from UW-L in 1989 with a double major in physical education and corporate fitness. She also played four years of basketball and still holds the all-time assist record. She remembers all of her UW-L professors, but the three that stand out in her memory are: Anna Beth Culver, anatomy and physiology; Judy Pace, teaching methods; and Maurita Robarge, fitness education. “They all provided me a solid foundation in different areas of physical education and wellness,” she says.

What is your favorite part of teaching?

As a secondary physical educator, I strive to engage all of my students in a variety of experiences so that they learn to enjoy being physically active and make healthy choices for a lifetime.

Adam Treinen: 2014 Physical Education Major of the Year at UW-L

[caption id="attachment_4461" align="alignleft" width="168"] Adam Treinen[/caption] Treinen will be entering his senior year at UW-L with plans to graduate in May 2015 with a major in physical education and certification to become an adapted physical education teacher. He was the PEM club president, a UW-L foundation scholarship recipient and been on the dean’s list every semester at UW-L. His professors have encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree after graduation. “I have had multiple professors in the physical education teacher education program who have inspired me to pursue my degree in physical education. Their professionalism and devotion to the profession has inspired me to be like them and be a true advocate — not just for physical education, but for education in general.”

What is your favorite part of teaching?

The kids — I am in the profession for them because they are the ones who make me smile, laugh and there is nothing more special than having the eye-opening teacher moments when I know my students are learning. Teaching is special because I can make a kid’s day by simply saying his or her name. Kids are influenced easily at a young age and I know I can be one of the many important people in their lives.