Vahperd_SpringSummer2022

Teamwork and Collaboration - The story of Virginia State University's partnership with the Blandford Learning Academy in Petersburg, Virginia Donna M. Kanary, Ed.D., Coordinator of Physical Education Teacher Preparation Program, Virginia State University Leslie Crocker, Department Chair, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Virginia State University Trevon Epps , Virginia State University Undergraduate Student

Kiaria Granderson , Virginia State University Undergraduate Student Ronnie Johnson , Virginia State University Undergraduate Student Daniel Rogerson , Virginia State University Undergraduate Students

In the summer of 2021, Principal Reva Green at the Blandford Learning Academy in Petersburg, Virginia reached out to the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) at Virginia State University (VSU). Principal Green requested theVSUHPER department consider providing physical education classes for her students. This alternative school has no physical education instructor on staff. First, equipment considerations needed to be addressed because the school had none of their own. To fill the lack of equipment, more community partnerships needed to be involved. Victory Lady Fitness Center in Richmond had a back-to-school drive to include sports equipment; and through that program, we provided Blandford Learning Academy with numerous footballs, soccer balls, indoor nets, and basketballs as well as academic supplies for 50 book bags. Virginia State University students developed an inventory record of the equipment for Principal Green. Next, curriculum planning began. Students at Blandford are working towards graduation in an alternative setting. It was decided that lifetime sports activities would be the best option. Tennis equipment was donated by the USTA. Further, community golfers were contacted and the school received donations of almost 40 putters and golf balls. This equipment lead to the first unit of study-mini golf. VSU’s Dr. Donna Kanary built a portable nine-hole mini-golf course to donate to the school. Instruction for Blandford students was provided by the Virginia State University’s Department of Physical Educations teacher education candidates.

The VSU students established objectives for the mini golf unit and aligned them with the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning. The VSU students developed interactive warm-ups, provided skill practice, pre and post assessments, score cards, vocabulary as well as follow up plans for the school’s teachers.

The culminating activity was a field trip to the local mini golf course, Swader’s Sports Park. Blandford transported eligible students to the course and Swader’s Sports Park was generous enough to offer discount rates for all participants. Virginia State students and Blandford students were joined by VSU HPER department chair, Ms. Leslie Crocker and Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Willis Walter.

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 • VAHPERD • 5