CHAMPION — Charleston Elementary Teacher Leigh Ann Burgess, center, was recently selected as the Bradley County Schools 2010 Healthy School Champion. With Burgess are Charleston Elementary Principal Jodie Grannen, left, and Charleston Elementary physical education teacher Shane Evans.
Leigh Ann Burgess has been selected as the Bradley County Schools 2010 Healthy School Champion.
Burgess is a fifth-grade teacher at Charleston Elementary.
A Healthy School Champion is a school staff person recognized by their peers as someone who best emphasizes and exemplifies healthy lifestyle habits to students and coworkers.
According to Burgess, she recently participated in a national physical fitness test — the Presidential Fitness test — which included a mile-run, sit-ups, shuttle run, chin-hang and stretching activities. The physical fitness test is required of students, but not teachers.
“I just wanted to see if I could do it it. It was a personal challenge for me,” said Burgess.
Nominations were made by each school principal and their Healthy School Team. A selection committee determined the winner. The office of Bradley County Schools Coordinated School Health tabulated the results.
“I was very surprised and honored by the nomination and the award.
“When I was doing the test I thought it might encourage the kids, too, in thinking ‘I’m not going to let my teacher beat me,’” Burgess said with a laugh.
Burgess received donated prizes valued at more than $350.
Other nominations for the Healthy School Champion included Karen Slater, Walker Valley High School; Steve Logsdon, Bradley Central High School; Kristen Sermons, Lake Forest Middle School; Mary Crabtree, Michigan Avenue Elementary; Missy Chastain, Oak Grove Elementary; Eddie Frazier, Ocoee Middle School; Sheila Dunn, Valley View Elementary; and, Sherry Miller, Waterville Community Elementary.
