I am an elementary school teacher with thirty years experience. During these years, I have been a high school coach of girl's tennis and an instructor of numerous intramural activities at the elementary level. This year, while on sabbatical leave, I have had the opportunity to receive Level 1 and Level 2 training in the National Archery in the Schools Program in Pennsylvania. I recently attended the first Pennsylvania NASP tournament in Harrisburg as a Volunteer judge. While I have not yet experienced the actual teaching of the program in my school, I was impressed at the results I witnessed during this tournament.  I am a firm proponent of emphasizing the positive in order to elicit change and encourage students to think positively. In the classroom it is necessary. The NASP  uses this positive reinforcement in its instruction. That was evident during the tournament, not only from the coaches in attendance, but among the students as well. They encouraged each other and were respectful of individual differences. What a wonderful tool with which to equip our students in any arena. Most high schools offer a variety of sports in which students are able to participate. However, many of them are sports that will be played during their Middle and high School years, rarely to be played after graduation. Archery offers a life-long activity. In addition, many of the sports offered are not accessible to students with certain physical handicaps. The NASP allows for adaptations so it can be available to more of the students. As an elementary teacher, I tend to focus on how I can integrate a variety of skills into a single lesson. While at the tournament I was able to observe not only eye-hand coordination and strength skills, but other skill building opportunities. The students had to use math skills to add up their scores. They had to cooperate when scoring their arrows with one scoring and one recording. They were also problem solving as they negotiated how to score an arrow that was near a line. They focused not only on their own individual results, but the results of their team. It is becoming increasingly challenging for teachers to find a "hook" for all students. We are constantly looking for ways to connect with reluctant learners to get them to engage in education. I can envision this program being that "hook" for students that may not be the best athletes or the most gifted students. I would hope that this program can continue to grow in Pennsylvania. 

Sincerely,     Vicki Mundy

To Whom It May Concern:  

 As a Physical Educator, I want all of my students to have or experience success while in my class, With the implementation of the Archery into our curriculum, I noticed several different students experiencing success with this activity versus other activities we use in Physical Education class. Many students are eager to learn more about archery as a competitive sport. Archery can be a life-long activity which is important considering the inactivity we see among many teens which can lead to life-long health problems. This program has been beneficial for many people and should continue to be implemented throughout schools so that more opportunities to lead an active lifestyle are available for our youth.  

                    Sincerely, Carolyn Kopnisky, Hermitage School District, Hickory High School Health and Physical Education Teacher