More than 150 schools and 10,000 elementary students around the state now participate in the Healthy Futures Challenge, a biannual three-month program to empower children with the daily habit of physical activity.
Healthy Futures, the signature program of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, would not succeed without its partnership with the health and PE teachers statewide that get their students engaged in the Challenge.
Healthy Futures will present a ‘Featured Teacher’ each month of the school year to highlight some of the innovative in inspiring work being done and get a glance at the personal side of some of Alaska’s outstanding teachers.
Name: Michel Woods
School: Abbott Loop Elementary, Anchorage
Position: PE Specialist
Years as a Teacher: 21
Years participating in the Healthy Futures Challenge: From the beginning!
 The Woods family |
Question: Who is your hero?
Answer: My wife Erica because she is loyal, hard-working, beautiful inside and out and enjoys fun, activity and fitness. She is also very positive, supportive and encouraging. Amazing lady!
Q: When you are not in the classroom you are where?
A: With my kids, at a baseball field or enjoying this amazing world with my wife.
Q: What’s the craziest place you have ever been?
A: Jumping off cliffs in Hawaii, unaware of the Tiger shark population due to man-made reasons. Quite intense. I survived!
Q: What’s your favorite recreation/fitness activity?
A: Running in the woods/trails or playing baseball. Basketball is up there too, plus golf and since I am in a role, racquetball.
Q: What’s the most inspirational thing a student has ever said to you?
A: “Thank you!” I love hearing about a life-long wellness mindset from an adult, which started at our school as a young child. I love hearing about success in student’s lives. My favorite strategy for motivating kids to live a healthy lifestyle is … role modeling, enthusiasm and very enjoyable and positive experiences with programs and activities. I use humor, encouraging feedback and lots of energy to connect!
Other thoughts: I have found very few things in life more satisfying then uplifting and empowering a child, especially in the world of athletics and wellness. Teaching and coaching is bigger than a ball or jump rope; it’s connecting the importance of character, social interaction, wellness and the spirit of positive play! I am very impressed with the Healthy Futures initiative and wholeheartedly believe it has made a huge difference out in community. Teaching PE has been a blast. I originally wanted to teach high school economics or history, but I would not change
Question: Who is your hero?
Answer: My wife Erica because she is loyal, hard-working, beautiful inside and out and enjoys fun, activity and fitness. She is also very positive, supportive and encouraging. Amazing lady!
Q: When you are not in the classroom you are where?
A: With my kids, at a baseball field or enjoying this amazing world with my wife.
Q: What’s the craziest place you have ever been?
A: Jumping off cliffs in Hawaii, unaware of the Tiger shark population due to man-made reasons. Quite intense. I survived!
Q: What’s your favorite recreation/fitness activity?
A: Running in the woods/trails or playing baseball. Basketball is up there too, plus golf and since I am in a role, racquetball.
Q: What’s the most inspirational thing a student has ever said to you?
A: “Thank you!” I love hearing about a life-long wellness mindset from an adult, which started at our school as a young child. I love hearing about success in student’s lives. My favorite strategy for motivating kids to live a healthy lifestyle is … role modeling, enthusiasm and very enjoyable and positive experiences with programs and activities. I use humor, encouraging feedback and lots of energy to connect!
Other thoughts: I have found very few things in life more satisfying then uplifting and empowering a child, especially in the world of athletics and wellness. Teaching and coaching is bigger than a ball or jump rope; it’s connecting the importance of character, social interaction, wellness and the spirit of positive play! I am very impressed with the Healthy Futures initiative and wholeheartedly believe it has made a huge difference out in community. Teaching PE has been a blast. I originally wanted to teach high school economics or history, but I would not change
Question: Who is your hero?
Answer: My wife Erica because she is loyal, hard-working, beautiful inside and out and enjoys fun, activity and fitness. She is also very positive, supportive and encouraging. Amazing lady!
Q: When you are not in the classroom you are where?
A: With my kids, at a baseball field or enjoying this amazing world with my wife.
Q: What’s the craziest place you have ever been?
A: Jumping off cliffs in Hawaii, unaware of the Tiger shark population due to man-made reasons. Quite intense. I survived!
Q: What’s your favorite recreation/fitness activity?
A: Running in the woods/trails or playing baseball. Basketball is up there too, plus golf and since I am in a role, racquetball.
Q: What’s the most inspirational thing a student has ever said to you?
A: “Thank you!” I love hearing about a life-long wellness mindset from an adult, which started at our school as a young child. I love hearing about success in student’s lives. My favorite strategy for motivating kids to live a healthy lifestyle is … role modeling, enthusiasm and very enjoyable and positive experiences with programs and activities. I use humor, encouraging feedback and lots of energy to connect!
Other thoughts: I have found very few things in life more satisfying then uplifting and empowering a child, especially in the world of athletics and wellness. Teaching and coaching is bigger than a ball or jump rope; it’s connecting the importance of character, social interaction, wellness and the spirit of positive play! I am very impressed with the Healthy Futures initiative and wholeheartedly believe it has made a huge difference out in community. Teaching PE has been a blast. I originally wanted to teach high school economics or history, but I would not change
Question: Who is your hero?
Answer: My wife Erica because she is loyal, hard-working, beautiful inside and out and enjoys fun, activity and fitness. She is also very positive, supportive and encouraging. Amazing lady!
Q: When you are not in the classroom you are where?
A: With my kids, at a baseball field or enjoying this amazing world with my wife.
Q: What’s the craziest place you have ever been?
A: Jumping off cliffs in Hawaii, unaware of the Tiger shark population due to man-made reasons. Quite intense. I survived!
Q: What’s your favorite recreation/fitness activity?
A: Running in the woods/trails or playing baseball. Basketball is up there too, plus golf and since I am in a role, racquetball.
Q: What’s the most inspirational thing a student has ever said to you?
A: “Thank you!” I love hearing about a life-long wellness mindset from an adult, which started at our school as a young child. I love hearing about success in student’s lives. My favorite strategy for motivating kids to live a healthy lifestyle is … role modeling, enthusiasm and very enjoyable and positive experiences with programs and activities. I use humor, encouraging feedback and lots of energy to connect!
Other thoughts: I have found very few things in life more satisfying then uplifting and empowering a child, especially in the world of athletics and wellness. Teaching and coaching is bigger than a ball or jump rope; it’s connecting the importance of character, social interaction, wellness and the spirit of positive play! I am very impressed with the Healthy Futures initiative and wholeheartedly believe it has made a huge difference out in community. Teaching PE has been a blast. I originally wanted to teach high school economics or history, but I would not change
a thing, 21 years in elementary physical education. It’s been a great dance!