Every Oliver Ames student has had to participate in some form of the gym program. For those who were put into the Team Sports class, they were lucky enough to be able to be taught by Mr. Holland. Mr. Holland is a seasoned teacher here in the physical education department and one of the most respected teachers in the whole building.
Being a gym teacher is much different than being a teacher who operates out of a standard classroom. There are many things that a gym class provides for students that they can’t get anywhere else in the buildings. That increased sense of freedom and vast difference is something that Mr. Holland takes into account and uses to better his classes.
“Yeah, this class is very different, you know. There’s a big social aspect of it, there’s definitely more freedom than a structured classroom,” Holland said. “So you have to be, I always say I try to keep it organized, but keep it light. So I think you have to communicate what you want it to look like for the kids, and then the kids, in turn, know what it looks like, and then they’re able to model that. And then you can keep a productive, safe environment. You gotta communicate what you want the students to do and what it’s going to look like. Otherwise, you just lose all control.”
When it comes to gym class, there is always a mixed bag of abilities and personalities that get put into the same class. Being put in a group with kids that may be more athletically gifted than others may worry or deter certain people from participating, but Mr. Holland makes sure that everyone knows that they have a spot in any game they play.
“So my classes are different. I usually have a large group of kids together of varying abilities,” said Holland. “So I try to make a comfortable environment where kids are gonna participate and have the ability to succeed. If we want to do that, I think I have to have a structured plan. I always have to come in with a plan, but I have to be willing to adapt based on what I have for students, to make it, so that everybody can participate and feel comfortable. They get the benefits of exercise and have a decent phys-ed forum.”
The sports related fun doesn’t spot for Mr. Holland when the school year ends however. If kids are really interested and have a passion for team games and enjoy being around them, Mr. Holland runs a summer camp that is perfect for them.
“That started actually, I had to take some graduate level courses, and one of them was to come up with an event. So I created this event and I called it Summer Fun Sports. Summer Fun Sports is for children from grades kindergarten through eighth grade, who like phys-ed activities. And it was put on by myself. I had another handful of teachers that have a sports background, students that are interested in sports that are now older and want to work with kids, maybe someday down the road.” Holland explained.
“And then we do a bunch of, we break it up into groups. Kindergarten through 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th grade, 6th through 8th grade, just how the town does it. And then we offer a wide variety of games, regardless of your skill, just to try and keep kids motivated and active, and developing friendships, and talking, and doing all these things that you want to instill in this environment. So that’s kinda how it all got started.”
