Virginia physical education teacher keeps kids moving online

For the last two weeks, a Fairfax County elementary school physical education teacher has been holding daily online fitness events for students featuring stretches, short workouts and challenges.

“It’s just so fun, and … sometimes I wear my crazy pants and people get so excited about it. I’ve gotten such a great reaction,” said Suzanne Metz, a teacher at North Springfield Elementary.

She leads the Facebook Live fun at 9:45 a.m. weekdays. Sometimes she’s inside her house; sometimes, outside on her cul-de-sac.

Her 17-year-old son, Ryan, does the filming while his 14-year-old brother, Cooper, joins his mom on-camera.

Each event lasts about 15 minutes and starts with some stretches followed by a short workout. “We’ll do jumping jack ABCs, push-up ABCs, anything to ABCs,” Metz said. Each one also includes a physical challenge of some kind.

“Parents love it. Kids type in how many pushups they did,” said Metz.

To take part, you have to join the NSES Keeps In Touch Facebook page. Metz is the page’s administrator and will approve anyone who clicks to join.

The videos are also posted later to YouTube.

There will be four more Facebook Live events this week. But at this point, Metz is not sure whether she will hold any next week, during spring break.

Michelle Basch

Michelle Basch is a reporter turned morning anchor at WTOP News.

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