Physical education teacher Cristy Flippin has a challenge ahead of her.
Today’s youth have the activity level of the average grandparent.
As the new PE teacher for Iola Middle School, Flippin said her goal is for her students to find a way to embrace physical activity.
“Some of the kids really like PE and you have some of the kids that hate it,” Flippin said. “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is how kids don’t like to go outside and play anymore. Kids today will have electronics and hang out while they aren’t nearly as active. It’s just crazy to see the change.”
According to her studies, the current generation of students will not be as active outdoors and prefer to stay indoors.
FLIPPIN ENTERS USD 257 after teaching special education for one year in Madison.
Flippin grew up in Alma and graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in physical education.
Flippin lives in Burlington with her fiance who works there as a sports coordinator. Though she enjoyed teaching special education, Flippin said it was not her long term answer.
“I knew I didn’t want to stay in a classroom all day, but I really enjoyed meeting the students and getting to know them,” she said.
Flippin said that as a youth she developed a passion for sports and that she and her twin brothers often competed in softball, basketball, soccer and even cheerleading.
Since her time at IMS, Flippin said she has enjoyed the support from fellow staff. When she accepted the position, she began receiving emails congratulating her with greetings from fellow teachers.
Flippin is one of three PE teachers at IMS and has a total of six classes. This includes three in sixth grade, a combined 7th and 8th grade, an advanced PE class and one that is only for girls. Flippin oversees the girls while Terry Lower will co-teach with the boys.
She also serves as the school’s volleyball coach and is an assistant coach for the basketball team. Her class material is mostly focused on team sports from basketball to soccer.
She hopes her students can find a way to embrace PE.
Flippin wants students to feel safe in venturing beyond their comfort zones when participating in her class. While not everyone is athletic, she wants them to have fun and embrace new games and physical activities.
“I hope that every single one of my students finds something they enjoy that they’ve never done before,” Flippin said. “I hope they find ways to be more active outside of school as well as the importance of being active in life.”
