"I just don't get it " WE have a health care crisis and the politicos seem to put that on the back burner each time there is a resurface of what to do . No, this isn't a political statement , but one that will hopefully leave an impression within our group . Did I say , I just don't get it? Just today , while I was doing my daily walk using the pedometer GPS+ to track my workouts , I watched a senior Zumba class in action . At the same time , there is a toddler play area on the other side of the gym curtain. I noticed one of the toddlers mimicking the class , and he did quite well for a two year old. [ A body has been snatched and a child learns why and how to move.]

That is when a light bulb went off, we need to do the same as PE teachers with anybody who will listen and take part in the NEW PE philosophy. That includes, students, core teachers, parents, administrators, community, health agencies and legislators. It is our job to be invaders and seek out the work of body snatchers. Yes, its just like the tentacles reaching to envelope all available bodies for a transformation. It is similar to a network made by spiders in their webs and ants in their colonies. There is a constant need to garner more help and continue the networking process. And, teachers can be the Queen Bee, the King of the Colony or the Body of Invaders to attract more suspects when they least expect it.

No, I haven't lost my mind, but this process has been in the works for over 30 years. I have worked very hard to advocate saving PE, sharing with others, and possibly changed some lives or given ways in attempt to help people make a correct turn when the road comes to the proverbial "Y". How? We are salesman and its our job to make a sale. For example, when I was babysitting (years ago) and walking the kiddos, with my pedometer, the question came up what I was tracking. Well, it started with 2 walkers and ended up with 10, body snatchers. The same can be said for a walking program for the neighborhood that met each week with students and parents, that was followed by a fitness trail for the community. If you want to snatch more bodies, you have to volunteer in the community. They pay your salary and its time to give them a  bang for their buck. Oh yes, one of the snatchers was an ex-student , who later became a member of the school board and on the recreation committee. He was the same person that made headway for a gym of my own (after 10 years), instead of moving tables, desks and chairs and overhanging lights that swayed in peril. This led to many more body snatchers and advocacy for PE like never before, circa, 1995 until 2002). This was about the time Phil Lawler and Naperville came on the scene and started a whirlwind of excitement, and I was introduced to the moderator of Naspe-Talk, John Hichwa .

Nowadays, as I pass LA Fitness and local gyms there isn't a parking place to be found. At my North Park Lake area (PA.), you will see hikers, walkers, bikers, kayakers, pickleball, tennis , golf course , fishing and anything that is active. My community gym is filled with seniors, toddlers, zumbanistas and anything that shows how people move, yes, eat less and move more! These people got it!!! Yet, budgets are tearing PE to shambles and the health of the country has seen more problems with obesity, heart and cancer than ever before.  Isn't it a fact that movement of all kinds can help ward off illness and diseases that cost the insured millions of dollars? It is our quest to invade, snatch and knock some sense into each states governor. These people mentioned in the fitness area and gyms GET IT and now we have to do the same in our classes.

It isn't difficult to make yourself visible .  We are now armed with technology and devices that have broadened our intelligence beyond what we ever dreamed about. WE have discussion groups, conventions, conferences and in-services to train us in all aspects of quality education. But, who knows about it? Once the door is closed to our inner sanctums (gym /playing fields), who really understands what we do? It is exemplary to invite the parents and public to view our classes and add one more body snatcher to the mix. Your expertise can be noted in newspaper articles or even TV, which I did on the PBS network. There are a myriad of teachers and programs across the country that are PE 4 Life Schools, and fantastic teachers that we just don't know about. Their everywhere and there are sites like LinkedIn, which is a networking process to find why they are successful, along with the Facebook groups called, PE 1 and PE Central with over 500 members and growing each day.

I shall end with some final requests and ask if you ever experienced the following: wake up in the middle of the night and write down on paper an idea that came to your mind: spend time helping in the community; given a presentation at school or at a convention; volunteered to speak at a PTA function; changed from the OLD PE to the NEW PE; wrote an article for the newspaper; started an exercise program for teachers after school; spoke at a school board or presenting a program; had a GYM Show / program for the parents and community; took part in the various walks, such as Alzheimers, Cancer or Heart Associations.

Time is up, "gotta " track my workouts, bring out the Itouch, use Sports-tracker and Pedometer GPS+ and set an individual record to beat a previous performance. Along the way , I will be looking out and invading new ways to snatch some bodies with the hope "they get it" and pass it along until the tentacles and webs reach out until everybody gets it when they (budget-cutters) determine to be bring the axe to PE . It will wield a victory for all who care about the person who needs to understand why "we get it."