Teacher awarded top prize for fitness plan
Published: August 25, 2006
A company with global reach believes there is a hero among us in Northeast Iowa.
ING, which offers financial services, recently named 100 educators in its 2006 Unsung Heroes program. One of them is a teacher at Denver Elementary.
Kevin Shedenhelm received $2,000 to help fund his ideas and bring them into his classroom. He will now compete with other winners for the top three prizes — an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.
The ING Unsung Heroes program recognizes teachers in kindergarten through 12th grades nationwide for innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and positive influences on children. Since 1996, the program has awarded more than $2.5 million to more than 1,000 educators across the United States. The 2006 winners were selected from more than 1,100 applications.
Shedenhelm’s concept transforms unstructured recess time into structured fitness time. Through the Quicker, Stonger, Faster program, as many as 180 Denver students in third, fourth and fifth grades participate in exercises twice in a six-day cycle.
During each 30-minute session, students work on strength training, rock wall climbing, horizontal and vertical pegboards, rope climbing and dance. The program attempts to help students take ownership of their physical well-being by setting goals and monitoring progress.
Each student’s performance is evaluated using an individualized system. Scores are shared with parents.
“ING is proud to honor educators like Kevin Shedenhelm as they strive to make a difference in the lives of America’s schoolchildren,” said Bill Jasien, senior vice president of ING U.S. Financial Services.
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