During the month of March, 40 teachers are participating in a Step Challenge.
Teachers were randomly put into teams of four and were asked to track their progress in a spreadsheet.
After the first two weeks, team two, made up of Matt Seabold, Jennie Huehnergarth, Jonathan Green, and Patrick Woods, was in the lead.
Counsler Mackenzie Atwater said the winners will each receive a water bottle of their choice and “bragging rights around the building.”
Teacher Abigail Goldsmith’s goal is to get 10,000 steps a day.
“I was not getting that before this. This contest is helping to establish some good habits,” Goldsmith said. “I’ve always aspired to get at least 10,000 steps a day. I just never seem to make it happen. This is going to establish the habit, and then I just need to keep it up.”
Teacher Jennie Seabold feels the challenge has created a nice culture among the teachers.
“They are getting to know the people in their group a little bit better and talking to other people around the school, and it’s getting us out and getting us moving,” Seabold said.
Teacher Seth Harms enjoys walking in the woods.
“I hope I continue walking after the challenge is over,” Harms said. “I feel like I will continue to walk, especially in April and May, with hunting seasons, but I don’t know if I will be as motivated.”
The challenge has motivated Seabold to get her and her family out of the house.
“I normally walk because I have a dog, and she’s been inside all day, so she needs to get some of that energy out,” Seabold said. “Now it’s becoming a family thing. My husband’s been walking with us, and my son’s been outside too.”
After school, lots of teachers are out walking laps in the hallways.
“I do most of my walking at home with my dog, but I know on Friday after school, there were a lot of teachers out doing laps, and so it just gets you in a different part of the building,” Goldsmith said.
