West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle

West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle

West Springfield High School Newspaper

The Oracle

Don’t sweat it: Deporter, Parker join our Spartan PE department

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In a time where physical education is extremely emphasized in high school (thanks Obama), WS adds to its all-star team of PE teachers with the additions of WS football coaches Joe Deporter and Antony Parker, two men with a lot of experience in the field of physical education.
Deporter previously worked as a physical education teacher at Orange Hunt Elementary; however this transition from elementary school to high school has been long anticipated.
“It’s different from elementary school and that’s what I wanted; I’ve wanted to teach high school since college and I’m enjoying it” said Deporter.
As for any long term changes to the school, Deporter is primarily focused on getting accustomed to the school and finishing assignments for his master’s degree in Curriculum in Instruction and Assessment. Likewise, Parker is also invested on the new transition and his role as the offensive coordinator of the Varsity football team, which has had extremely strong showings in its recent games.
In terms of academics, PE is one of the most interactive courses a teacher can instruct. It involves lessons on sports, health and driver’s education; all while also instructing kids on how to keep themselves safe. For the class to be successful the students must have the ability to grasp different concepts and understand how to enjoy the class without misusing the equipment or putting themselves at risk. In this sense Deporter is grateful for the switch to the (slightly) more mature age group.
“Besides the age of the students it’s the ability level. You don’t have to work as hard at routine; the kids know what to do,” said Deporter.
Parker who has been involved in instructing physical education at the high school for some time, at both Edison and Falls Church High School, also has noticed a big difference in the students at WS than at his previous schools. Sure the WS athletic facilities may not be the best, but just as a book can’t be judged by its cover, likewise a student body can’t be judged by its building.
For Parker, he finds the students here are some of the nicest he has instructed, and is looking forward to his future at WS whether that is on the sidelines during Friday night or in the classroom on a Monday morning. When asked what he thinks about his new home Parker said simply:
“I love it.”

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