UNM College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) professors Karen Lux Gaudreault and Victoria N. Shiver have been working diligently to highlight the significance of physical educators through their Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program. Gaudreault emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for children in under-resourced populations to engage in physical activity and wellness programs. She stated, “It's very, very important to both of us that we continue to work in that space and bring our passions here to New Mexico.”
In their research titled The Impact of Mentoring Youth Placed At-Risk on the Socialization of Preservice Physical Educators, published in the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, Gaudreault and Shiver outlined the positive outcomes of an innovative program they initiated in Wyoming and later implemented in Albuquerque. Shiver explained the benefits of the program, highlighting the importance of creating individual relationships with each child and teaching fitness concepts through movement.
The program, known as Healthy Pokes, was launched in Wyoming as a study to assess the benefits of after-school programs centered around physical education for both students and future teachers. Gaudreault stressed, “When done correctly in the way that the UNM PETE program trains and prepares P.E. teachers, the science is very clear that quality physical education improves children's academic performance, health, and overall well-being.”
The study revealed numerous benefits for all participants involved, including students, parents, teachers, and future educators. The positive impact on both the children and the pre-service PE teachers was evident, with Gaudreault noting, “It really shifted their compass and their philosophy about how they were going to behave. They learned in order to be a good teacher, they have to really understand these kids. That was really powerful for them.”
The success of the Healthy Pokes program paved the way for the development of the Healthy Lobos program in Albuquerque, spearheaded by Dr. Shiver. The program, now funded by COEHS, focuses on social-emotional learning in addition to physical activity for fourth and fifth graders at Atrisco Elementary. Shiver highlighted the importance of holistic education, stating, “Nutrition cannot be successful without behavioral health, so it felt like that had to become the top priority.”
Looking ahead, both Shiver and Gaudreault aim to expand the Healthy Lobos program to reach more students and schools, emphasizing the critical role of physical education in enhancing students' academic performance and overall well-being. Gaudreault emphasized, “Quality physical education programming is absolutely critical to students' performance during the school day and their well-being.”
Donations to support the Healthy Lobos program are welcomed and can be directed to Dr. Shiver for further information.
