Plant City, Florida - Physical education teacher Tecca Kilmer considers the great outdoors her classroom.
Coach Kilmer has been teaching physical education at Turkey Creek Middle school for 13 years.
Believe it or not Kilmer says there are some students who can send a text message but have never hit a t-ball, a tennis ball or any other ball for that matter. She says that’s simply heartbreaking to know that so many young people are missing out on an active lifestyle.
They are trying to change that at Turkey Creek.
With obesity among young people making headlines more schools are now ramping up their physical education programs so students maintain a healthy waistline.
Most of us are familiar with the FCAT but at Turkey Creek students are getting ready for the PDAT or the physical education development assessment test.
When done right Kilmer says physical education can increase not only brawn but the brain.
- Tecca Kilmer/Turkey Creek Middle School
- “If you get to take a break and come outside and move around and get your body moving your brain works in a whole different way and it's very beneficial to go back in the class and you get to use your brain in a whole different way.”
The students say the best part about physical education is that Coach Kilmer doesn’t make it feel like a workout.
Kilmer says receiving a compliment like that feels pretty good.
Ginger Gadsden, Tampa Bay's 10 News