Mary Ogburn
Physical Education Teacher
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hello, my name is Mary Ogburn, and I am the PE Teacher here at ICCS. I truly love working with a team of Christ centered educators and students at such an amazing school. I have been teaching for 8 years, PE for 5 years., and this will be my 2nd year at ICCS. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Exercise and Sport Science, Wellness Program Management Concentration, with a minor in Dance. I am CPR certified and am also a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American Council on Sports Medicine. When not busy teaching, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family, Alex-husband, and my 2 kids (Emma, 16, and Dylan, 18). We live in Sedona and enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, and all that nature has to offer.
My philosophy on teaching PE involves getting all the students involved in every game or sport we play. I love introducing the components of Fitness and how they can start living a healthy lifestyle. From exercise to proper nutrition, there is so much to explore and implement on learning how to be healthy!
In my PE classes, I love to cover most sports unique to all kids. The sports I teach include volleyball, basketball, soccer, hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, dodgeball, and track and field. Games include Sharks and Minnows, etc. for the younger ages. In addition, I use the Presidential Physical Fitness Youth Challenge for middle school kids during mid year. This activity involves 5 fitness tests allowing each individual to compete against themselves and kids from across the nation in their same age group. The tests include: sit-ups in a minute, flexibility, push-ups/ pull-ups/ flexed arm hang, agility (shuttle run), and a 1 mile distance timed run.
For year end goals, I hope that each student is encouraged to push themselves in a way past their comfort zone to try new things, play new positions, and try new sports. I see their confidence grow through the year as we “conquer” a new sport or game together and it is so exciting to see that happen!
During the school year, we team up with the American Heart Association to discuss and implement a healthy program called the “Kids Heart Challenge” (used to be called Jump Rope for Heart). Kids and families are encouraged to help raise funds for the AHA and individuals that need financial help with disabilities and heart concerns. The kids learn through integrative programming and ongoing lessons during the 2 weeks, why contributing to such a great cause is an incredible thing. There are incentives along the way to invite them to help raise funds and have fun exercising too!
