Classroom News

Gym: Miss Nolan

I am a teacher because of the wonderful, caring teachers I had as I went through my early years at Liverpool Elementary School in the Buckeye Local District in Medina County.

When I went to York Junior High school and on to Buckeye High School, I knew then I wanted to be a teacher.  As to what I would teach was yet to be determined.  It was a toss up between Home Economics, Health, and Physical Education.

As my high school years progressed, I became involved in the boys athletic program as a football and track statistician, because back in my days, the Girls' Athletic Association, was a social club between other area schools.  Thank goodness that changed the year I graduated and it has grown to equal events for both boys and girls.  To say the least, I wanted to be one of those who would help shape the female athletic programs at Buckeye High School.  So, Health and Physical Education was the route I took.  I am so glad I did and I have never regretted it.  I knew that I wanted to have a positive effect on students like my two PE teacher had on me.

I am the fourth in my family with 3 brothers and 2 sisters.  Our parents, George and Doris Nolan, taught us that whatever we did, do it the best you can.  We were never allowed to start an activity and quit it.  This was our life lesson that I still live by today.

My formal college education began at Lorain County Community College which was a great fit for a girl from a small farm town.  The students referred to LCCC as "Abbey Road High."  It has really grown since I was there in 1973.  When I transferred to The University of Akron, many windows of opportunities were opened.  In my third and fourth years there, I served as a Student Director of the Women's Recreation Activity Center that provided intramurals for the on campus students.

Upon graduation in June, 1979, I went to work at three Catholic Schools in Lorain County, St. Thomas, Sheffield Lake;St. John the Baptist in Lorain and Nativity BVM in Lorain.  This is when my formal training for teaching began with varied ethnicity's and cultures, building set up, and the maintenance of the different school schedules.

In August of 1980, I came to accept a position at St. Peter School and I knew that I was home.  I have the opportunity to teach with many of my former students, Mrs. Karr, Mrs. VanDyke and Mrs. Byrne, just to name the current staff members.  I also get to teach many other students who are children of previous students.

My person mission statement is to always remember why I chose teaching.  To share my love for people and that we are all students in some form or another.  To always find the good in everyone that crossed my path and to teach this skill to others.  Everyone has something important to share.  Always try to leave a person on a positive word or thought.

Occasionally you will find me in the kitchen or at a sporting event supporting our St. Peter students and parents.  My mom even volunteers once or twice a week helping Sister Patricia or supporting our St. Peter family.

My goals for my students are:

1. To form healthy habits to use through their lifetime and find enjoyment in keeping active.
   
   
2. To be a good sport in everything that they do.  To have respect for one another by encouraging fairness,kindness, patience, friendship, behavior and respect for themselves and others.
   
   
3. To learn positive feelings from doing something for others without being rewarded.
   
   
4. To develop independence in thinking and problem solving.

We also enjoy many fun activities through out the year.   We work with the Knights of Columbus in a program called "Hooked on fishing not on drugs" where the kids spend the morning fishing with the Knights. We also participate in Knights of Columbus Poster Contest for drug, smoking and alcohol abuse.   We participate in Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart raising funds for the American Heart Association.  We participate in the Fit as a Pro Program sponsored by the Cleveland Cavs.

We end the year with our annual Spirit Day Field Activities.  Every year I work with our 8th graders in developing a theme and fun activities for the rest of the school to participate in.  We play and eat lunch together before ending the day with the much anticipated game of Tug of War.