Volunteer Spotlight – Meghan Grady

Have you heard of the Jump Rope For Heart Program? This month we wanted to thank a local teacher who has helped organize the program at her school for the last 5 years. Meghan shares what she likes about the program and why she continues to do it with students year after year.

I am a Health Enhancement teacher at Meadow Lark Elementary in Great Falls.  I have been teaching for 9 years, 5 of them being at the elementary level.

When I started teaching elementary school I was introduced to the program. I choose to volunteer my time to coordinate Jump Rope for Heart because I think it’s a wonderful program for a wonderful organization.

I like that Jump Rope for Heart motivates my students every year for something to work towards.  They really enjoy the coordination, rhythm, and competitions we have using our jump ropes. 

My students love our Jump Rope for Heart week stations we perform for 1 week as our school's pledge to the American Heart Association.  They like to know the money they are raising goes towards research that will benefit their future health.  

I think what makes Meadow Lark's program so successful is school wide involvement.  The kick off starts with our librarian, Lacey George, playing the video for them in library class.  She shows them how to go on the website as well which is why we had more online active students than in the past.  In my class, I introduce the members of the Scare Squad and we talk about what Jump Rope for Heart benefits.  We then learn jump roping skills with short ropes, long ropes, Chinese jump ropes, dot drills on the ground, hurdles, jump the river, etc.  The following week we participate in our Jump Rope for Heart stations event school wide during class.  The students work hard to earn the donations they receive. 

Thank you, Meghan for being a wonderful volunteer, and a Jump Rope for Heart Champion!