By Jenny Pedraza, Marketing Communications

The University of West Florida Movement Academy, a program created to provide area home schooled children with a dynamic and comprehensive physical education program, is just in its second month. Its popularity, however, is growing exponentially. Home schooled children, their parents, UWF students and professors are seeing firsthand the benefits of a program that merges a community need, educational practices and scholarly research under the roof of UWF's new Health, Leisure and Sports (HLS) Facility.

"This program truly is a beautiful thing," said John Todorovich, an assistant professor of Physical Education in UWF's Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science (HLES). "We're giving UWF students teaching practice, providing a service to the community and showcasing this fantastic facility and program."

Developed by Todorovich, the program now boasts approximately 22 home schooled children, ranging in age from 4 to 17. UWF students in the HLES program volunteer their time to gain hands-on experience, creating a very small ratio of children to instructors. The program costs $25 per child a month, with a $5 charge for each additional child from the same family. Funds cover the expenses of the program and remaining profits go directly back into the HLES program, benefiting scholarships, research and professional development. The class meets in the HLS facility every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. Children learn to be "physically literate," by participating in social activities and structured workouts and games.

Children like Allie, 14, and Elijah, 6, learn many new skills, with each of them saying their favorite activity so far has been learning new soccer drills.

"This is just a fun way to get in shape and learn a lot of different things I didn't know before," said Allie.

Todorovich said many people today are lacking simple physical skills, which is the intellectual equivalent to an adult barely knowing the ABCs. The Movement Academy aims to teach children basic physical abilities, while countering childhood obesity and connecting people. This philosophy is the driving force behind the program.

"It's where the rubber meets the road," said Todorovich. "This program is so far beyond rolling a ball and playing games. My students get to see me put our philosophies into action teaching children, which validates what I'm presenting to my students in class."

James Fox, a graduate student studying physical education, hopes to use his experience working with the Movement Academy in his career in elementary school physical education and eventually in a doctorate program in the field.

"I help to organize the program, develop the activities and interact with the kids," said Fox. "This program was such a great idea - it puts this facility and staff resources to good use."

Tabitha Hodges, a graduate student in the HLES program, has helped market the Movement Academy to area groups and parents. She's hoping this experience aids her as she pursues her doctorate degree, one day hoping to integrate physical education practices into the treatment plans of children in hospitals.

Many students are noticing the UWF HLES program and its unique offerings. The undergraduate physical education program now has 81 students, a 9.5 percent jump from last year. A new graduate program, which started last summer, allows working professionals to attend classes during two summer sessions, each lasting three weeks, while finishing the rest of the program through self-paced study during two school years. A doctorate program is tentatively set to launch in the fall of 2007.

"I don't like being in second place, so I push my students to step up to the plate, and their energy has really made this program a shining star," said Todorovich. "The Movement Academy is just one factor that has set us apart as being the best physical education program in the state, and we're on our way to becoming the best in the nation."

For more information, visit the HLES Web site or contact Todorovich at (850) 473-7248 or e-mail jtodorovich@uwf.edu.

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