By Leah Sheaffer and Bralynn Clouser

Recently, Mrs. Snyder has taken a long-term substituting job as our new gym and health teacher. Although Mrs. Snyder substitutes at East Juniata often, she admitted that becoming a long-term substitute for physical education is quite an adjustment.  Mrs. Snyder is used to being at EJ, but she feels that the hardest part of her new job is adjusting her life at home.  Her new position was very sudden, so her family didn’t have time to prepare for the change. She also admitted that becoming the new health teacher is challenging, because she doesn’t know what subjects have already been taught to the students and what subjects haven’t. At EJ, students from seventh to twelfth all have the same gym teachers, so as the teacher, it is hard to get to know each of the kids. Mrs. Snyder stated that, “It’s easier when you are in the classroom, because you are interacting with them, you’re calling on them, and you can see their faces. But when you are in the gym, once we blow the whistle, everyone is out doing their own thing.”
When asked, Mrs. Snyder stated that her favorite activity to come in physical education is the fitness test/pacer test. Although most students would say this is their least favorite activity in gym, Mrs. Snyder explained why the fitness test is her favorite. As a gym teacher, she said that it is very exciting to see a student improve over the span of a school year. She loves seeing a student get excited when they get a higher score at the end of the year compared to the beginning of the year. Mrs. Snyder does, however, really enjoy the other activities in gym as well. Mrs. Snyder doesn’t feel that this job will become a long-term job, but she is very happy to be here at EJ and thankful for the opportunity. As students, we are also extremely thankful to have such a kind woman work at East Juniata and we highly appreciate Mrs. Snyder.