You might think the highest honor in gym class would go to the best athlete – the student who can run fastest, jump highest or throw a ball the farthest.
Not so.
At Bradford Elementary School, physical education teacher Joseph Acuña is redefining what it means to be a CHAMP, and he’s teaching his students meaningful lessons along the way.
CHAMP is an acronym to celebrate students who are Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated and Positive. Each month, 18 deserving students – one from each class – is named "CHAMP of the Month" for displaying good character, teamwork, and a positive attitude. Acuña observes his students’ behaviors, actions and attitudes in gym class, but also consults with other teachers to see who is deserving of the recognition.
For example, one student was observed wiping up a water spill on the floor. When Acuña asked if she needed help, the student replied: “No thank you. It’s not my spill, I was cleaning it up so someone else didn’t slip.”
That’s a CHAMP move.
“When students do remarkable things, I like to shine on that,” Acuña said.
The students being honored get their photo taken donning a “gold-plated” championship wrestling-style belt. They are cheered by their classmates and their images are displayed in a rotating slideshow on a monitor outside the gymnasium all month. Acuña often sends a note home to their parent/caregiver letting them know how and why their student was recognized.
Acuña got the idea from a physical education professional development workshop, and he started the program when he began teaching at Bradford three years ago. Since then, excitement for it has grown.
“My favorite is when I give it to a student who has never won, or who wasn’t expecting it,” Acuña said. “When I say their name in front of their peers, it’s like I just called them down for the Price is Right.”
Recently, thanks to a grant from the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, Acuña was able to upgrade the CHAMP belt, and he even let students vote for their favorite design.
“Through our grants, we seek to support projects that enhance students’ social and emotional competencies, and this program is a winning example of that,” said Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, MFEE’s executive director. “We’re thrilled to play a small role in helping a creative teacher make such a big impact.”
Each year, MFEE funds $60,000 in grants to Montclair educators for classroom innovation, professional development and social-emotional wellness. Read more about this year’s grants, and be a champion for ALL Montclair kids by donating to our Annual Appeal.
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