FRONT PAGE NEWS!!

I am so proud of my sweet husband! There are two pictures on the front page of The Lebanon Democrat today...one is of the presidential meeting with George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and the other picture is of E.J.!!! If you ask E.J. about his recent election he will humbly respond and act like it is no big deal, but I think it is a pretty big deal that a teacher in his second year of teaching in the subject matter would be elected to a statewide position. The following is the article that accompanies his picture:

Wilson teacher takes leadership role in Tennessee's physical education

Though he's only been teaching in Wilson County for a short time, now he has the opportunity to affect the physical education curriculum for students across the state.

Elliot (E.J.) Wood, who has been teaching fourth through eighth grade PE at Watertown Elementary for the past two years has been elected to the executive board of the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) as vice-president elect of physical education.

Wilson County Coordinated School Health Director Charles Whitlock said the school system is very proud of Wood.

"To my knowledge, this is the first time in a long time that someone from Wilson County has actually held a leaderhsip position in the organization. We're really pleased that EJ has taken that initiative," he said.

"He's going to be on the front edge as far as anything new (with) health and physical education or recreation. He's also going to be one of the guiding members for policy on the state level," Whitlock said, noting that the State Department of Education seeks TAHPERD's insight before making changes to health, PE, or fitness programs.

"He's got a voice where most people don't."

Whitlock described TAHPERD as "is a not-for-profit professional association of individuals in the allied fields of health education, physical education, recreation and dance. While most members are employed in public or private education, individuals representing interests in government and private agencies, business, and health care provision are increasing their voice in membership."

Wood will serve as the vice-president elect in 2009, act as the vice-president in 2010 and past vice-president of physical education in 2011.

"It's a three-year committment. You help the outgoing vice president, serve as VP the next year and then serve as a resource to the incoming the following year," Whitlock said.

"He's going to be a jack of all trades."

Wood, who coaches Watertown Middle School's baseball team, also taught in Memphis for three years and is a graduate of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn.

He said his success can be attributed to having great instructors.

"I came from a very good physical education department. I think that had a lot to do with why I enjoy what I do, and why I've had some success in doing that," he said.

Wood said that while he'll be doing a lot of committee work in his first year - helping with conventions and trying to do some needs assessments to see what type of training activities need to be done with PE courses - he also has some immediate goals locally.

"I don't feel there's a big draw to our organization from Wilson County specifically, so that's one thing immediately I hope to impact. To encourage all our Wilson County educators - wellness, health, PE, everything - to attend at least the conference," he said.

"Advocacy is one big thing the organization promotes, just in the profession. So I would hope to be a better educator because of TAHPERD and promote, either by better legislation or professional development, the profession as a whole."