Aaron Richards

Wewahitchka Elementary School welcomed four new members of their teaching faculty this year, Aaron Richards, John Huft, Krista Welford and Kelley Gerken.
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Aaron Richards

A former Port St. Joe High School athlete, Richards attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Ka. on a football scholarship and earned a bachelor's degree in history.

Fresh from college, he discovered a physical education opening at Wewahitchka Elementary, and jumped at the chance to return to his athletic roots.

Richards now teaches every child in grades K-5 for 150 minutes each week, as per state guidelines.

The school population is over 300 students, and Richards' p.e. classes range from 25 to 53 students.

Two support workers assist Richards, aide Theresa Redd and volunteer Michael Eubanks, and he praises their daily contributions to his classroom.

"It's hard starting out as a new teacher, but when you have such supportive people here to get you started, it's wonderful," said Richards.
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"She's been through several coaches here and she's stuck it out through thick and thin," noted Richards."She's a trooper."

Richards has begun learning his students' names and takes any advice offered by colleagues."I pick up everything I can," he said."If somebody suggests something, I'll give it a try to see what works.It's a very adaptive environment."

Richards leads his students through five to 10 minutes of calisthenics and stretching each day to warm up their muscles for the day's activity.

In this age of rampant childhood diabetes and obesity, Richards' goal is to improve his students' overall health and well-being.

"The thing for me is to teach them about a healthy lifestyle and healthy living," he said.Richards believes physical education translates into classroom success.

After physical activity, sleepy children become more alert and over-stimulated children calm down, said Richards.

For the kids, p.e. is simply a blast, and that's alright for Richards.

"It's great to see the kids having so much fun doing physical activity," he said.

Richards enjoys his job so much that he plans to return to school and earn a degree in physical education.

He also revels in his new job as Wewahitchka High School's assistant football coach.

Richards praised head coach Todd Lanter and his group of hard-working student-athletes.
...
For a Thanksgiving unit on Christopher Columbus' voyage to America, Huft's students will draw out the physical dimensions of the Mayflower on the playground, using chalk provided by Coach Richards.

Wewahitchka Elementary School welcomed four new members of their teaching faculty this year, Aaron Richards, John Huft, Krista Welford and Kelley Gerken.
...
Aaron Richards

A former Port St. Joe High School athlete, Richards attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Ka. on a football scholarship and earned a bachelor's degree in history.

Fresh from college, he discovered a physical education opening at Wewahitchka Elementary, and jumped at the chance to return to his athletic roots.

Richards now teaches every child in grades K-5 for 150 minutes each week, as per state guidelines.

The school population is over 300 students, and Richards' p.e. classes range from 25 to 53 students.

Two support workers assist Richards, aide Theresa Redd and volunteer Michael Eubanks, and he praises their daily contributions to his classroom.

"It's hard starting out as a new teacher, but when you have such supportive people here to get you started, it's wonderful," said Richards.
...
"She's been through several coaches here and she's stuck it out through thick and thin," noted Richards."She's a trooper."

Richards has begun learning his students' names and takes any advice offered by colleagues."I pick up everything I can," he said."If somebody suggests something, I'll give it a try to see what works.It's a very adaptive environment."

Richards leads his students through five to 10 minutes of calisthenics and stretching each day to warm up their muscles for the day's activity.

In this age of rampant childhood diabetes and obesity, Richards' goal is to improve his students' overall health and well-being.

"The thing for me is to teach them about a healthy lifestyle and healthy living," he said.Richards believes physical education translates into classroom success.

After physical activity, sleepy children become more alert and over-stimulated children calm down, said Richards.

For the kids, p.e. is simply a blast, and that's alright for Richards.

"It's great to see the kids having so much fun doing physical activity," he said.

Richards enjoys his job so much that he plans to return to school and earn a degree in physical education.

He also revels in his new job as Wewahitchka High School's assistant football coach.

Richards praised head coach Todd Lanter and his group of hard-working student-athletes.
...
For a Thanksgiving unit on Christopher Columbus' voyage to America, Huft's students will draw out the physical dimensions of the Mayflower on the playground, using chalk provided by Coach Richards.

Wewahitchka Elementary School welcomed four new members of their teaching faculty this year, Aaron Richards, John Huft, Krista Welford and Kelley Gerken.