Barbi Kelley (Courtesy photo)

Award-winning and nationally recognized physical education teacher Barbi Kelley is always on the move, and it doesn’t appear she’s about to slow down any time soon. When her high school friends picked tobacco in western Massachusetts, she was a summer playground instructor, taught swimming lessons, and developed mom-and-tot movement classes. Kelley was just getting started. Now she is the physical education teacher for grades K to 5 at Hildreth Elementary School.

After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Kelley accepted a position to teach at four elementary schools in the Gill/Montague School System. “I was so excited and ready and raring to teach,” she said. “My car was my physical education closet. One never knew what would be in there. I can remember my very first day—the only time I was pulled over by the police. I had to teach at one school in the morning, pack up all of my equipment, and set up at another school all within 45 minutes. I was so nervous I wouldn’t make it. Once the police officer heard my dilemma, he gave me a warning.”

Kelley continued her education at Columbia University, where she got a master’s degree, and now, in addition to her role at HES, she is an adjunct teacher at Fitchburg State College. She has been recognized for numerous awards, including the Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Honor Award for Excellence in Teaching; Massachusetts Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year; Eastern District Teacher of the Year; and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She has presented workshops at the National Convention in Chicago, the Georgia State Summer Convention, and venues throughout the United States. She also reviewed physical education books and offered advice on new equipment developed by U.S. Lacrosse, which donated 30 lacrosse sticks and balls to HES to thank her for reviewing the lacrosse manual, teaching lessons, and providing feedback. “I like sharing our physical education program with other teachers. I get to meet teachers from all over the United States, and I learn from them as well,” she said.

George Hynes tackles the obstacles course in last spring’s field day. Field day is just one way Barbi Kelley gets her students excited about exercise. (File photo)

Physical Education has changed a lot since Kelly was a youngster playing duck-duck-goose and leapfrog in gym class. Today her teaching reflects the movement approach: there is no waiting in line to take a turn. All students have equipment, practice skills at the same time, and learn a variety of activities that encourage making healthy lifestyle choices.

Five years ago Kelley and fifteen students and their parents traveled to the State House to support a new physical education bill that would mandate more P.E. time in Massachusetts. “It was a career highlight for me,” she said. “Our students wore T-shirts that said ‘It’s Time for Physical Education.’ We held a banner when the bill was announced. It was covered on TV and students and parents were interviewed. I had also set up a time for our students to meet with [then] Rep. Eldridge, who took the time to speak with our students about the importance of physical education. Their answers touched my heart. Because of their concerns, Rep. Eldridge wrote a bill in conjunction with the P.E. bill to help support how the state could pay for adding more P.E. time to the school year. He did this because of our students. I will never forget that day and how supportive Rep. Eldridge was to our students.”

If Kelley ever slows down long enough, she plans to write a children’s movement book. “I am hoping once my children are out of college I can start writing my book,” she said. Clearly she has made a big impact at HES and far beyond. “It’s knowing I can make a difference in a child’s life that is so rewarding,” she said.

Suzanne Mahoney is the interim principal at Hildreth Elementary School.