Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

12/12/07

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District's Board of Directors
Honors Staff Member Lisa Mason

The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Lisa Mason, physical education specialist at Chinook Elementary School, for her outstanding service on Monday, December 10, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

In life and on the job, Lisa Mason, Chinook’s physical education specialist, is not known for laying low or staying still. “I like to participate in a lot of sports; I can’t be stagnant. I like to be learning all the time.” Having spent junior high and high school playing basketball, volleyball, softball and racquetball, Lisa recognizes that physical fitness plays a huge role in her life—then and now.

Lisa’s goal is to pass down her love of sport to youngsters. Her teaching philosophy is to expose students to a wide variety of physical fitness skills and to inform them about health and wellness. Lisa is a firm believer in keeping up with new trends and styles of teaching in physical education. For instance, Lisa attends Bud Turner’s annual “West’s Best K-12 PE Workshop” known for introducing educators and coaches to innovative fitness instruction. Through such opportunities, Lisa has learned more about non-traditional activities like Chinese yo-yos, sport stacking, juggling and rock climbing. “These activities really expose kids to things they might otherwise not be able to do. Our school climbing wall is a perfect example,” says Lisa. “It was not easy to acquire a climbing wall, but it has proven a great activity for kids.”  In April 2006, Lisa created the Chinook Striders, an after-school running club open to Chinook students and their families, after she noticed that only a small percentage of her students were meeting Presidential Physical Fitness goals. Lisa knew many children did not have opportunities to engage in directed physical activity and wanted to offer them an option for exercise, so Lisa created the running program to increase students’ physical activity. Lisa recently wrote a $10,000 Saucony Run for Good grant to secure funding for the program.

Lisa introduces activities to her students one unit at a time. Currently her first through fifth graders are tumbling, balancing and climbing on gymnastics equipment. Among other things, students also get to bowl, dance and run. “Because I have been an athlete all my life,” says Lisa, “I’ve picked up a lot of activities along the way, like golf and bowling during college.” Lisa has also taken courses in track and field, dance and basic movement to further her understanding of instruction of physical fitness activities.

Lisa has taught physical education at Chinook for 13 years and began her teaching career 20 years ago. Lisa holds a Masters in educational technology from Gonzaga University, and she earned her dual certification in physical education and health from Oregon State University. Lisa began teaching physical education and health at a K-8 school in Astoria, Oregon. After four rewarding years, Lisa left for Washington State and landed a position at Terminal Park Elementary School. Three years later, Lisa moved to Chinook. “Initially, I didn’t intend to teach elementary students,” remarks Lisa. “Once I started, I found that I really liked the younger kids. They are enthusiastic at this level, and I like that. When a student tells me they love PE and I’m their favorite PE teacher, it’s hard not to love my job.”

Last year Lisa won the 2006 King County Physical Activity Coalition Excellence in Teaching Award for being an outstanding physical education specialist in King County. She attributes her success as a physical fitness educator to her love of sports and her father’s example as an educator of excellence.

Lisa continues to pursue an active lifestyle outside of her classroom. Lisa has been professionally trained in Taekwondo. She also rock climbs, cross country skies, snow shoes, and, most recently, trains for and races in triathlons. “When I learn something new,” says Lisa, “I can bring that knowledge into my teaching. For example, I’ve been able to teach my students different grips to try in rock climbing, and triathlons have given me the opportunity to speak with kids about goal setting and how to prepare for a race that requires endurance and pacing.” Because Lisa is still willing to learn, she ensures that her students continue to learn.

Lisa’s experience has allowed her to give salient input to several district committees including two curriculum adoption committees and the 2004-05 Childhood Fitness and Nutrition Citizens’ Ad-Hoc Committee. Lisa makes it her goal to get involved at the district level with anything related to health and fitness. “I want to know what is going on and keep current,” says Lisa, “but I also want to influence the outcome, serving my students both in and out of the classroom.”

Ultimately, Lisa wants to provide children with the opportunity to find something active—something they can continue to enjoy for years to come. “Not everyone has to be playing a sport,” says Lisa, “but everyone can find something active that they’re good at and enjoy in their everyday life.” It’s Lisa’s goal to help children find it.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at 253-931-4713.