Huntington PE Teacher Pens Book
Lynn Hefele wears many different hats. She's a wife, mother, coach and for the past 22 years a Huntington School District physical education teacher. Now she can add one more hat after becoming a published author of a children's book.
Ms. Hefele is well-known as one of the top elementary school teachers on Long Island, if not in the state. During her work with younger students she has "often used children's TV, movies and stories to motivate children to move in physical education," the veteran said. "I would take a game or activity and change the roles from taggers to dinosaurs or balls into 'Golden Snitches' to fit whatever the social icons were at the time."
Her newly published book, "Clean Up Your Backyard!" is the natural result of a long progression for Ms. Hefele. "I finally decided that by creating my own stories I could incorporate more educationally relevant information into my lessons, including verbal and visual cues for physical skills," she said.
The book, which includes lesson plans and rubrics for student assessment, was published by The P3 Press of Dallas, Texas. Bill Young created the colorful illustrations featured on each page. Mrs. Hefle has coined the phrase Literature Enhanced Physical Education "to describe this method of teaching," she said. She created LEPE, Inc. last year.
"'Clean Up Your Backyard' is the first children's book designed specifically to enhance physical education and increase student motivation," according to a promotional description of the book. "Teachers will love these easy-to-implement lesson plans introducing overhand throwing mechanics, movement vocabulary and ways to improve eye/hand accuracy. Administrators and parents alike will appreciate the integration of literature into PE classes. Most importantly, students will enjoy this whimsical story about two families making the most of a miserable chore by turning it into a fun-filled throwing game."
A graduate of Springfield College, Ms. Hefele earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in movement science with a concentration in biomechanics.
"While 'Clean Up Your Backyard' is Mrs. Hefele's only book currently in print, 'Ziny's Driving School' is currently being illustrated (it is due out next fall) and several more stories are in production," she said.
Visit www.lepeinc.com for more information or contact Ms. Hefele at lynn.hefele@yahoo.com.