50 Million Strong by 2029: Better Together – Exploring Teacher Leadership

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

To achieve the goals of 50 Million Strong by 2029 (50MS), it’s vital to consider how teachers can sustain the programs they start in their efforts to get students more active, more often. Helen Keller’s famous quote is a good reminder that although it is quite possible for individuals to create great programs and initiatives, collaboration with others is essential to sustain meaningful changes in schools. To do this, schools must identify and support a physical activity “champion,” “leader,” or “director” who can help facilitate a multicomponent approach to physical activity promotion (Castelli & Beighle, 2007; Carson, 2013).

One multicomponent approach that has been widely supported is the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP), which includes quality physical education as its cornerstone in addition to physical activity during the school day, physical activity before and after school, staff involvement and community/family engagement (CDC, 2013). However, given the multi-component nature of a CSPAP it is impossible to expect ONE person to be responsible for all programs associated with a school’s efforts.

In the United States many schools have adopted the Active Schools program (formerly known as Let’s Move. Active Schools). But we are not alone when it comes to advocating for a whole-school physical activity program. Many other countries, for example Ireland, Finland, and Canada have also adopted a multi-component model to school-based physical activity promotion. In Ireland, schools can pursue the Active School Flag by following the established government guidelines for physical education as well as implementing a variety of other physical activity opportunities for students, staff and families throughout the day (Active School Flag, n.d.).

In Finland, the Finnish Schools on the Move program strives to provide students with a more pleasant school day by expanding the physical activity opportunities available to children and staff during the school day (LIKES, 2016). In British Columbia, Canada, the Action Schools! BC program provides a framework to support schools in promoting physical activity and healthy eating, and an action planning procedure to ensure that their students are healthy, happy and achieving to their potential (Action Schools BC, 2016). Noteworthy, a common feature shared by all of these programs is that they advocate for a “team” or “committee” approach to physical activity promotion (McMullen, Ní Chróinín, Tammelin, Pogorzelska, & van der Mars, 2015; Action Schools BC, 2016).

Collaboration could possibly be the single most important factor needed to implement and sustain a successful school-based program that aligns with the goals of 50MS. And since collaboration is a key feature of many multi-component school-based physical activity promotion models being implemented worldwide, I encourage you to consider ways that you can get others to join your movement.

Begin by forming a team that includes a variety of stakeholders. Be sure to include parents, other teachers, administrators, school staff, community members, and most importantly students! To develop school-based physical activity programs that will get more kids moving more often, you need a group of people sharing a variety of strengths and perspectives. And through getting everyone to work TOGETHER, you’ll increase your chances of succeeding with our 50 Million Strong by 2029 vision.

(Publishers Note: This article is based on a presentation made by the author as part of the 50 Million Strong by 2029 Forum held at the 2017 SHAPE America National Convention.)

References

Action Schools BC (2016). Action Schools! BC homepage. Retrieved May 25, 2017 from http://www.actionschoolsbc.ca/
Active School Flag (n.d.). Active School Flag homepage. Retrieved May 25, 2017 from http://activeschoolflag.ie/
Carson, R.L. (2013). Calling All Practitioners: Encourage and Support the Creation of Active Schools and School Physical Activity Champion. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7(5), 343-345.
Castelli, D. & Beighle, A. (2007). Physical education teacher as the school activity director. Journal of Physical Education Recreation and Dance, 78(5), 25-29.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: A Guide for Schools. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
LIKES (2016). Finnish Schools on the Move homepage. Retrieved May 25, 2017 from https://liikkuvakoulu.fi/english
McMullen, J.M., Ní Chróinín, Tammelin, T., Pogorzelska, M., & van der Mars, H. (2015). International approaches to whole-of-school physical activity promotion. Quest, 67, 384-399.