Specialist Classes
Mrs. Kilgallen will be our new PE teacher at Our Lady Star of the Sea this 2018-19 year.
About Mrs. Kilgallen: Mrs. Kilgallen grew up in upstate New York and studied at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where she earned a Masters degree. She moved to Star of the Sea from Italy. Her youngest, Quinn, was baptized at the Vatican! Her family of five enjoy the great outdoors; paddle boarding and other water sports are family favorites. The children are involved in kids Crossfit, jiujitsu and gymnastics. Previously, Mrs. Kilgallen worked in the airline industry in revenue management, charter marketing and aviation safety departments. Lately you may have seen her coaching gymnastics birthday parties! She says she decided to become a teacher because she wanted the “opportunity to inspire and motivate children through physical fitness while always instilling a love for God and the Catholic faith.” “My best memories from elementary school were the annual field days! Being involved with an entire day of gym class was fun and brought the entire school together through hard work and determination.” She believes that being physically active is essential for a healthy and successful life. She’s excited to teach in a Catholic school. “Our faith keeps my family grounded. Teaching at Star encourages me to be a better Christian and role model to my children and students.” |
Our Lady Star of the Sea PE curriculum includes its StarFit workout into its classes regularly. StarFit enhances the natural process of motor development which increases learning effectiveness and efficiency. Children have a natural inclination for constant and varied movements that StarFit channels.
In addition, it creates a physical learning environment that builds on the idea that all children have differing abilities and need to be challenged at different points of development. This differentiated instruction allows a child to continually and efficiently progress, minimizing the risk of frustration or stagnation. Every skill, every movement, every workout and every game can be scaled to a child’s ability (made easier or harder) so he or she is challenged. Main areas of fitness that will be targeted are: cardiorespiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. Each class includes a warm up, skill instruction, a workout of the day and a game. Games such as Musical Wall Balls, Empire Mania, Noodle Tag, Volcano Monster and many others are played at the conclusion of each class. Since OLSOS provides volleyball and basketball as extra-curricular sports, aspects of these games will be presented during the year. One bible verse will be presented, discussed and reiterated throughout each month. This will be done to encourage the practice of the faith as it’s to be incorporated into all subjects and parts of a student’s life. |