Keeping pace with her students
Nicole Boyer, fifth grade teacher at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), went above and beyond with her class this fall when she ran the PACER test with them.
PACER stands for “Progressive, Aerobic, Cardiovascular, Endurance, Run.” It is a fitness assessment done in the fall and spring for fourth and fifth grades. Students run 20-meter shuttles, back and forth across the school gym at a set speed that gradually increases pace.
“It measures endurance and overall cardiovascular health. It also helps students track their fitness growth and encourages healthy habits and goal setting,” Sarah Harding, BRE physical education teacher, explained.
While teachers often participate with their students during PE classes, Nicole is the first to run the PACER. Nicole is always looking for ways to connect with her students and this was an effective one—making the dreaded PACER less dreaded. “She always makes things better,” said BRE registrar Corin Meibos.
Sarah noticed the students in Nicole’s class showed extra excitement and motivation to put forth their best effort because Nicole ran with them. “That’s the kind of teacher Mrs. Boyer is. Her support and positive energy help her students feel confident, push themselves a little further and she is right there to celebrate their progress,” Sarah said. “We are lucky to have her at BRE.”
Nicole Boyer’s fifth grade Buffalo Ridge Elementary class shows off their completed PACER forms after the fall assessment this year.
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary
