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Physical education teacher to wear Poland blue
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Kristi Rider, 25, is the new physical education teacher for Union, North and Dobbins Elementary schools. She graduated from Malone University in 2007 receiving a bachelor's degree in physical education.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Boardman resident Kristi Rider (center) showed Dobbins Elementary first-graders stretching exercises on their fist day of physical education class Sept. 10. She instructs physical education for kindergarten through fourth-grade at North, Dobbins and Union Elementary schools.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Kristi Rider needs to get herself a whole new wardrobe this school year.
The Boardman graduate will be trading Spartan maroon for Poland blue as she starts her new job as a physical education teacher for Union, North and Dobbins Elementary schools.
This is her first teaching job and she is up for the challenge.
“I am so grateful to Poland for giving me a chance as a first-time teacher,” she said.
Teaching wasn’t Rider’s childhood dream. It wasn’t until high school that she realized she wanted to teach. She didn’t know what subject area would be her specialty, but she wanted to pass along helpful knowledge that was given to her from her teachers.
“I’ve always enjoyed school even though it didn’t always come easy for me. I wanted kids to have a good experience in school,” she said.
After graduating from BHS in 2003, Rider pursued a college education at Malone University, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Physical fitness wasn’t her first choice. But learning about childhood obesity in American children led her down the career path.
“Originally, I started in early childhood education, but then I realized the importance of kids learning to live a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “I’m active and I like being around kids and putting those two together was a good idea.”
Rider student taught in the Mogadore Field school system for four months in 2007 and relocated to Colorado Springs, Colo. to work full-time with the Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry. The ministry is a Christian-based organization that aids churches in reaching out to the community through Bible-based summer sports camps.
Rider said working with the sports ministry was a great experience, but something was pulling her in another direction.
“I felt the call to be a teacher and wanted to be closer to my family,” she said. “I also wanted more teaching experience.”
Rider believes physical activity is important for young kids. She wants to teach children how to have fun, active and healthy lives. Participating in physical activities during school time is important, but carrying on those activities once class is over is Rider’s goal for her students.
“I want to give them things that they can go home and do. Things they can do with their families and neighborhood kids,” she said. “I want to make it so they actually enjoy doing physical activities outside of school.”
Rider said she was originally planning on applying as a substitute teacher, but when she inquired about the teaching job, they told her they were hiring full time. She applied for the position and was hired.
“I’m so happy to be working with Poland; it’s a great district,” Rider said. “Education is a high standard and that’s the type of district I want to work for.”