Bel Air Middle School Teacher Karen Zello Wins ING Unsung Heroes Award

From Harford County Public Schools:

Karen Zello, physical education teacher at Bel Air Middle School, was recently awarded a $2,000 ING Unsung Heroes Award for her innovative teaching idea, called “Raise Your Hearts.” Karen is one of just 100 applicants to receive the award. She now has a chance of winning $5,000, $15,000, or $25,000 more in grant funds if her entry is selected as one of the top three innovative ideas in the nation!

Project Description:

“Raise Your Hearts” is the winning program developed by Zello for students at Bel Air Middle School. During their physical education classes, in addition to daily warm-ups and physical activities, students will be challenged to increase their heart rates through six specifically designed cardio-respiratory fitness events and endurance activities. As the students complete each aerobic activity, their heart rates will be recorded using heart rate watches to evaluate their individual cardio-respiratory fitness. The six activities will include running the Fitnessgram PACER fitness test, running a mile on the school track, running the Turkey Trot Cross Country Course, line dancing, jumping rope, cycling on stationary bikes, and participating in a school community walk during National Physical Education and Sport Week in May. The goal of the program is for the students to gain an appreciation for lifetime wellness. Through the project, Zello, who lives in Conowingo, hopes that the students will gain knowledge to help them make appropriate decisions and choices as to which aerobic fitness activities will be most beneficial.