Liz Baker is the new PE teacher at Saint Columbkille Partnership School. She loves playing sports and has always enjoyed physical activity. Baker likes working with kids and aims to teach them the life lessons that fitness has taught her.
Baker is originally from the Boston area and graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Exercise Science. In 2021, she completed a Masters in Education in Applied Human Development in Physical Education Licensure from Boston University. The program focused on youth health and wellness, as well as physical activity and sport from a developmental perspective. She has also been working with the Athletes for Hope program and enjoys having Boston College students come to school to help during PE classes.
This year especially, Baker has seen how involved and supportive Saint Cols families are with the teachers and each other. She is acutely aware of the emotional needs of her students and finds that fellow students are helping support each other. She promotes peer to peer de-escalation, as well as using physical activity to redirect and support students who are frustrated in the moment.
As a specialist teacher, Baker has the unique opportunity to teach every student in the school, from pre-K 2.9 all the way through Grade 8. She relates well to each age-range, adjusting her lesson plans depending on age and skill set. Younger students focus on key exercise elements like gross motor skills, sportsmanship and turn-taking, while the older students learn about the importance of health and fitness along with specific sports skills. She also works to reinforce some of the classroom lessons in P.E., such as counting and colors for younger students. Grade 8 students are working on S.M.A.R.T. goals for fitness, specifically working on activities that build muscular strength and cardio endurance, for example.
“I’m glad to be part of the community,” says Baker. “I’m happy to promote and provide the space for kids to get their energy out, with safety as a number one priority. It’s such a different time in school right now and I’m just glad to be able to be that outlet for students.”
In February, Baker is partnering with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness among students of staying healthy and using fitness to strengthen their hearts. As part of the program, students will participate in a jump rope unit and have an opportunity to earn a heart keychain. On Friday, February 18, students can bring in $1 to donate to the American Heart Association and dress out of uniform.
