Judi Sloan teaches physical education at Niles West High School in Skokie. Her goal is to help all her children build solid foundations of self-esteem and discover and appreciate the uniqueness of their own goals. Ms. Sloan, 1992-1993 Illinois Teacher of the Year, emphasizes lifelong fitness in her physical education classes in which exercises are primarily aerobic and designed to help students develop healthy habits. Concerned about students with weight and other health problems, Ms. Sloan has created a physical management class. The classroom portion focuses on individual talents and strengths and on problems such as dealing with rejection, and it provides students an opportunity to write in journals about their feelings. The exercise portion helps students find physical exercise they enjoy and can continue throughout their lives. "The problems plaguing adults - obesity, high blood pressure, and inactive life styles - are on the rise among our youth," she says. "What good is a quality education if the health of your child is at risk?"
1966 Northern Illinois University, B.A.
