On this week’s teacher feature, we had a discussion with Aerobic Fitness and Dance teacher, Mrs. Kelly Tate.
Q: What is your favorite aerobic fitness workout?
A: Body pump. I like toning and lifting weights, and that’s important for my body.
Q: What was your first car?
A: This is a good one. It was an ‘85 Chevy Celebrity, and it was my granny’s car. She gifted it to me, but it had something like a bench in the front seat. I’m five foot two, so I had to move the seat up. If you had long legs, you would be straight in the dash. Everyone had to sit in the back because it only had one long seat.
Q: If you could go out with any famous person, dead or alive, then who would it be?
A: Do they have to be famous? If I could go out with anyone, then it would be my Irish granny. I would love to go with her. She was my person.
Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, then what would it be?
A: Sushi. I love to go to this place called the Slippery Mermaid. It’s really good. We always get a variety, like the big board. Each person in the group chooses one or two rolls and then we all share.
Q: If you could have any exotic pet, what would it be?
A: Oh my goodness. I guess you should always go off the top of your head, so something like a leopard. Not in my house, but just to have.
Q: If you were not a teacher, what job would you have?
A: Whatever it is I would do, I would have to be constantly doing something, definitely not a desk job. I need to always be up and moving. Maybe a nurse? That would be nice.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: Boating. I am a water skier, so I like to take my kids water skiing and wakeboarding. We like to go up to Lake Shenango.
Q: What is your favorite student slang?
A: Oh, favorite or least favorite? Definitely not “bro”. I do not like “bro”. Probably just when they call me Tate instead of Mrs. Tate. That’s what I call my husband, the name we call him. When my kids say “Tate,” I think immediately of my husband.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would definitely pick the most beautiful, pristine lake. Definitely somewhere hot where I could go boating. My family went to Hawaii a while ago; I do girl trips every year to different beaches. Next Christmas we might start doing National Park stuff. I would be happy going anywhere with water.
Q: What is your favorite instance of a student not doing their work?
A: See, my class is a little bit different since it is a physical education course. I have had students fall asleep during yoga during quiet times. I’ve had to go over and tap them on the shoulder, but I have never gotten any negative reactions. They just seem surprised that they actually fell asleep. I guess it’s just that sense of zen.
Q: What have been some of the biggest changes in teaching between now and when you first started?
A: When I first started, I taught regular physical education, and then, years ago, I created this aerobics class. I think it’s gotten a lot better because now I am doing what I really love to do.
Q: What are some of your biggest motivations when you exercise?
A: I think my biggest motivation is my students. For the most part, everyone is there enjoying exercising for the most part, and it’s just like my husband always says, “When are you going to stop?” “How many more years are you going to be able to do five classes a day?” I know, but I feel great doing it because it motivates everyone else to do it. If I’m not standing there also doing the workout, I feel like it’s not motivating. Also, I get paid to work out. I get paid to exercise throughout the entire day. It benefits me. It benefits the students. Who is lucky enough to have a job like that?
