Jennifer Peterson Represents Iowa in Washington, DC
Delegates from around the United States for Speak Out day in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Peterson (Iowa) – front row second from the left
(submitted photo)
On March 11 and 12, 2014 Jennifer Peterson, president-elect of the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) represented Iowa at the national Speak Out Day in Washington, DC. SHAPE America, who is the national voice for physical education and physical activity in America, organizes national Speak Out Day. When meeting with congressional and senatorial office staff, Jennifer was advocating for greater support for PEP (Carol M. White Physical Education Program) Funding- the only federal education funding for physical education. As well she sought co-sponsor the of the PHYSICAL Act – which would be used to designate health and physical education as core subjects in federal education law.
When asked about her attendance, she stated, “ It means a great deal professionally for me to of been able to attend National Speak Out day for AAHPERD in Washington DC. The trust our association has in me to travel to DC and speak on behalf of Iowa Health and Physical Education teachers is very humbling.”
She was able to share her opinions with a Steve King (IA) congressional aide, a congressional aide to Senator Harkin (IA), as well as two different congressional aids from West Virginia. The highlight of the two days was a personal conversation with Iowa Senator Grassley on the need for greater support of physical education in the country.
Tim Lane, current President of IAHPERD, was ecstatic that Jennifer was able to represent the IAHPERD on Capitol Hill. “We might have other educators as dedicated and informed, but none more so” said Lane!
Jennifer, a teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary School, when reflecting on her trip stated, “Moving around on Capital Hill was truly an amazing and humbling experience. I can’t wait to go back again next year and do it all over again! I wish this experience for ANY teacher – it’s so worth it and I learned a lot about our Nations capital.”
