Written by: Abby de Riel

The Coach for Kids program has always been driven by the simple goal of ensuring students have ample opportunity to move throughout the day. Our WITS Coaches provide programming that increases daily physical activity and empowers teachers and school aides to lead by example, helping to teach children healthy habits to last a lifetime. Ultimately, the long-term goal is that the ripple effect of this work cultivates a consistent school wellness culture that becomes their new normal.

Each year, we strive to be better and meet the needs of our schools. As technology advances and becomes more accessible to our communities, we have also strived to develop ways to reach more schools, more efficiently. After a few years of piloting small components of our new programming puzzle, this year is the year we are putting it all together.

 

First, we’ve strengthened our team to meet the demand. In addition to our Senior WITS Coach, Kit Greenberg, we’ve welcomed 5 new powerhouse WITS Coaches working on the ground in NYC schools: Evelyn Cooney, Gabriella Fernandez, Tal Kazaz, Tatiana Monteleone, and Kristin Tobin. Through our extraordinary partnership with Exos, we also have 3 new Exos Coaches that livestream into NYC school classrooms to provide daily fitness breaks: Mikayla Foss, Jason Holt, and Ryan Permaul.

Second, we strengthened our programming. To sustain the impact of our programming for students, we upgraded our programming for adults. Through the collaborative partnership with Exos and NYC Public School’s Office of School Wellness, we are excited to introduce Coach Connect NYC. Coach Connect NYC offers NYC physical education teachers and coaches unique opportunities to come together in a supportive and collaborative environment to enhance their skills, deepen their knowledge, and rejuvenate their passion for coaching through interactive workshops, seminars, and hands-on activities.

Underneath this Coach Connect umbrella, we provide 5 different empowering opportunities for PE teachers:

1. Coach Summit: our pinnacle event of the year; a full-day conference-style event designed to unite NYC PE teachers and coaches for a transformative learning experience, with programming from Exos and Wellness in the Schools.
2. CoachCamp: these learning sessions are immersive, three-hour workshops tailored to the needs of NYC PE teachers and coaches hosted in Bronx, Queens & Brooklyn.
3. Exos Education Program Access: NYC PE teachers or coaches have access to free specialized education content. The Exos Education curriculum offers cutting-edge insights into fitness, nutrition, and recovery providing you with advanced techniques and a community of passionate educators worldwide.
4. Coach Professional Development: In partnership with NYC Public Schools, Exos subject matter experts host scheduled professional development days.
5. Exos Fit Breaks: Live streamed 15-minute virtual Exos Fit Breaks for the classroom. In select schools, Wellness in the Schools Coaches also provide in-person movement breaks. 

Our Wellness in the Schools team, our partners at Exos, and the Office of School Wellness are excited to launch this incredible opportunity for all NYC schools and look forward to Coach Connect adding another city to its name.