Shelly Hoffman, Wichita, didn’t think she could learn anything about teaching since she had done it for nearly 20 years.  Eleven months later, Hoffman realized she could.
           
On Sunday, May 9, Hoffman earned a master of education degree in curriculum and instruction from Southwestern College.  Hoffman was able to complete the 12-month course in 11 months while still teaching full-time and raising her family.  She did it completely online.
           
“I had my bachelor’s degree and almost 20 years of teaching experience,” Hoffman says.  “I knew I needed more but thought to myself ‘what else could I learn?’ I spoke with David Hofmeister (education chair and director of teacher education for Southwestern College) and he was so wonderful to talk to.  He answered all of my questions, and I had a lot of them.”
           
Hoffman received a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University in 1988.  She then embarked on teaching physical education for six years at Chisholm Elementary and the past 14 years at Franklin Elementary, both in Wichita.
           
Along with earning her master’s degree, Hoffman has received top recognition for her physical education program at Franklin.  The Kansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (KAHPERD) identified Franklin Elementary as a Model School.  This recognition process promotes quality physical education throughout the state of Kansas and provides opportunities for physical educators to share ideas for the purpose of enhancing the physical education experience for all students.  This program provides for both Model and Merit recognition.
           
“I applied for this 10 years ago and we received Merit recognition.  My school district didn’t have daily P.E. like many other districts so we were not given the Model recognition,” explains Hoffman.  “I decided to try for it again this year and our principal, Heather Vincent, was very supportive.  Professionals from KAHPERD came to watch me teach, they evaluated me, they inspected our equipment and visited with students.  I showed them my mission statement and curriculum.  In April, I found out that we earned the Model recognition.”
           
Hoffman says that there will be a plaque presentation in October at the state KAHPERD convention in Wichita.
           
Hoffman’s program includes 90 minutes of physical education a week. Her program includes sending a home fitness bag with the kids every Friday to take home.  The bags include such items as soccer balls, tennis balls, and a jump rope to use over the weekend; a fitness calendar; integrating reading into physical education by picking words that are associated with P.E. and discussing them in class; health fairs; and doing enrichment activities such as visiting the World Museum of Treasures, The Keeper of the Plains, Exploration Place, and the Cox pumpkin farm.
           
Hofmeister was not surprised that Hoffman was able to earn the recognition.
           
“She didn’t know her P.E. program was at that level but her principal did,” Hofmeister says.  “Shelly was awarded the recognition that she deserved.  She was already being noted, but it wasn’t enough.  She had the need to pursue an advanced degree and did so.   It speaks to the flexibility and support that Southwestern College Professional Studies and our master of education program brings to students who want to be successful in their timeline.”