Our HIP to be Fit^® Train the Trainer program was developed with teachers, foundations, and school administrators to give public elementary school teachers the tools and training to incorporate physical activity into their classrooms through a multi-disciplinary curriculum. Through the Train the Trainer curriculum and workshops, we are providing public school teachers with the materials to approach core curriculum through NDI-NM- style exercises and movement. One of our primary objectives is to help teachers combat what is a serious obesity issue in New Mexico.

Since many public schools in New Mexico do not have PE teachers, it is incumbent upon the classroom teachers to fulfill PE requirements with their students, regardless of their own training. Tied to NM State Education, PE and Dance Standards, the Train the Trainer curriculum gets kids moving while they learn core curriculum content.

In 2008-2009, NDI-NM will provideTrain the Trainer workshops and materials to more than 150 public school teachers.

In an evaluation of Train the Trainer, teachers told us that they learned innovative instructional strategies that could be applied in their classrooms, and were able to connect what they learned to content areas such as reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Participants' skills and confidence in getting students physically active in the classroom and other nontraditional physical education settings increased, as did their ideas about the use of physical activity and the arts to affect student achievement.

Train the Trainer instructors are very well prepared, engaging and fun. This training has a positive impact on teachers and students. Training materials are clear, well-written and easy to use.

• 100% of teachers reported that they have implemented at least some of the curriculum in their classrooms.
• 81% reported that they are using half or more of the information.
• They are using the curriculum to teach: fractions; geometry; symmetry; math; literacy; P.E.; science; and to keep students focused.

Comments from teachers

"I had a blast learning new and exciting teaching techniques."

"Not only will it get our students moving, it gets us moving."

"A great way to increase retention of skills with kinesthetic application."

"It is a great way to learn how to teach your children through movement and rhythm."

"I can incorporate exercise with my content areas. It's often difficult to 'give up' teaching time to have P.E. and to come up with engaging activities. This allows me to cover content and get kids exercising."

"Children listen, participate, they are positive, they want to lead, volunteer."

"I often have the students who need to be active and talk constantly. This method stopped the chatter and got them moving without getting in someone else's space."

Train the Trainer 2008 - 2009

Date(s)	Day(s) of Week	Time	Collaborator/Host	Location
2/19/09	Thursday	4:30-7	Eubank Elementary	Albuquerque
3/12/09	Thursday	4:30-7	Eubank Elementary	Albuquerque
1/31/09	Saturday	9:30 - 12:30	Pecos Elementary, 600 E. Hobbs St.	Roswell
5/2009	TBD	TBD	TBD	Farmington