Plano ISD Health/PE Coordinator Captures State Leadership Award

October 20, 2011

For her visionary leadership, Melinda Smith, Plano ISD coordinator of health and physical education, has captured "Administrator of the Year" accolades from the state association The Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TAHPERD).

"It has always been my dream to work with children, make a difference and leave this world a better place than I found it," said Melinda, a Plano native. "I really feel I have the best job around and have begun making changes that impact the lives of our fifty-four thousand students."

Melinda is pictured in 2009 at Barksdale Elementary School, one of six campuses to receive new, multi-functional pedometers through a grant from Presbyterian Hospital of Plano and the Plano ISD Education Foundation.

Melinda stated that she believes that she strengthens Plano ISD's physical education program and the teaching profession overall by continuing to learn. "I have learned a great deal over during my educational experience, and I continuously seek new ways to improve and to challenge our students and staff with creative lessons and innovations. This stimulates their interest and motivates me to become the best that I can be.

"I have become an active member of our profession and enjoy sharing my ideas through teaching professional development classes, mentoring and conducting in-services," Melinda continued. "I believe the success of Plano ISD's program is evidence that we are on the right track to strengthening and improving our programs and improving the quality of life for all students and teachers.

How have you demonstrated leadership in your professional role?

I have been active at our local level on numerous committees and at the state level for TAHPERD and other organizations. Over the last two years I have become more active at the national level.

At the local level some of my responsibilities include District School Health Advisory Chair, District Lead for Fitness Testing, Co-Chair for our District Committee on Wellness, and North Texas Director and Coordinator Chair. With these additional leadership roles, come responsibilities and change. Writing and passing a great wellness policy, adjusting class size and refining curriculum requirements are just a few of the outcomes of these local committees.

At the state level, I have had the opportunity to severe as a Regional Representative and Elementary and Secondary Administrator Section Officer for TAHPERD for 2 and 3 years respectively. I also have the opportunity to severe as Registration Co-Chair whenever TAHPERD holds a convention or conference in our area. I also served on the State Fitnessgram Training Team and was the 2009 Chair for the Secondary and Elementary Administrator Conference this summer.

At the national level, my responsibilities started with my first American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance convention last year where I participated and scheduled my teachers to help restock the registration area for AAHPERD. I also had the privilege of serving on the Middle School Teacher of the Year Selection Committee for National Association of Sport and Physical Education. I attended many AAHPERD conventions and have presented and served as the Co-Chair of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education “CAN Conference”. I really enjoy the leadership opportunities that come my way and grow as a professional with increased involvement.

What are you most proud of doing to make a difference?

Every day, with decisions that are made through my office, I am an advocate for our students, teachers and programs. I work inside our district on committees, conducting presentations for principals and communicating with our staff members on a variety of wellness topics that deal directly with our disciplines. I try to stay in touch with recent and pending legislation, research changes and innovative programs. This provides the best information to our staff so they can make informed decisions.

I have developed partnerships within the community with programs such as Marathon Kids, Elk’s Hoop Shoot, parks and recreation and our city government to enhance the lives of our students. Now with Campus Wellness Teams on each campus and health fairs throughout our city we have a common bond to spread the message of a healthy lifestyle.

I volunteer my time at our job fair, at conferences and help teachers with special school projects. I work with our communications department delivering wellness media messages on behalf of our district. I also participate in mentoring programs with some of our “at risk” students and help mentor beginning teachers.

I have had the pleasure of presenting multiple times to our secondary principals, our elementary principals, our Key Communicators, the North Texas Coordinators group and our Board of Trustees. Changes, innovation and program improvement is occurring across our district, and we are leading the charge in providing a healthier environment for our students.