By Vivienne Frenz
Almost everyone at DDHS has had Mrs. Radloff as their Physical Education teacher. She is especially known for teaching the Adventure Ed courses, but she also teaches Lifeguarding, Trends in Fitness, and Strength Training. Students love her for her kindness and endless patience. I asked why Mrs. Radloff decided to become a PE teacher and she said, “I’ve always enjoyed being active and was involved in…swimming, track and field, triathlons,” but he had never been part of an official team sport. Continuing she says, “In college, I actually had no idea what I wanted to do,” which is relatable to many high school students. Being undecided is okay and there are counselors and many other people that can help you find the path that suits you. Radloff’s “experiences in teaching swimming lessons and…interest in being active and teaching people about fitness,” teaching physical ed turned out to be a perfect choice for Radloff.
Her enthusiasm for taking care of our bodies through fitness is evident. She expressed the importance of movement, “We’ve been given our bodies to be able to move and accomplish things in this life. Taking care of our bodies is one of the best things we can do.” In addition, she says, “There are not only physical implications to staying ‘fit’, but emotional, social and spiritual implications as well. Not only do we feel better when we are ‘fit’, we are able to see goals met and then push to the next one.” Fitness impacts everything we do and helps us do daily tasks.
Radloff has many hobbies when she has a moment away, “I enjoy being outside in nature, baking, drawing and reading. This year, I’ve taken up Aerial Silks which has been an amazing physical challenge that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed!” She also has a special connection with swimming, not only is it her favorite sport to watch, but she began lifeguarding when she was 15 years old. She has “now been a certified lifeguard for 27 years!!” (Mrs. Radloff added, “I just gave away my age…Do the math if you want to ;)”). She is also willing to parktake in “the occasional hockey or lacrosse game.” Sports is not actually Radloff’s main interest in high school. Surprisingly she told me, “I was involved in more theater/drama and music than I was in sports!” Radloff continues with music saying that, “I still sing, enjoy plunking on the piano keys, occasionally play the bass guitar and am attempting to learn how to play the Hammer Dulcimer!”
As you may have heard, Mrs. Rafloff has decided to move with her family to Zambia. “The decision to leave has not come lightly,” Radloff begins. “I’ve spent the last 18 years of my life as a PE teacher at both the Middle School [for] 13 years and High School [for] 5 year[s]. I absolutely love this career and the richness that each student has brought to my classroom and life. Why would I leave, then?”, Radloff interjects. During her last trip to Zambia for church missions trips, “ it was confirmed that a major, radical shift was to happen in my (and my family’s!) life to uproot and move full time to Zambia.” She welcomes the changes in her life as she reveals that by finding your purpose there is “excitement and hope” in the unknown.
Mrs. Radloff is excited to head for Zambia but she’ll never forget her experiences at DDHS. “I absolutely love my job,” Radloff exclaimed. “I love the relationships I get to be a part of with each and every student that enters my classroom.” She loves to see students “strive to reach their next best” taking every opportunity in front of them. For instance, her favorite memories are when she sees a student “get it.” She adds, “They’ve caught the vision and achieved a goal, but then, they don’t keep it to themselves!! Once they’ve witnessed their own success, they move on to teach those next to them!!” Students helping out each other can improve their own understanding as well as making it relatable to their fellow peers.
When I asked her to share one piece of advice she exclaimed, “just ONE???!!!” Then she concedes to narrow it down saying, “Stay curious, stay positive, looking to your next thing. You never know what life will bring you!” Mrs. Radloff has guided students by caring for their well being through physical exercise. Now she will continue guiding and caring for people in a new way, but the time and effort she put into teaching at DDSD will never be forgotten. Instead, it is appreciated by all.
thecometeer