First Person Singular

Heather Woodson Health and P.E. department chairman, Falls Church High School, Falls Church

There are several things working against P.E. right now. This is the first generation of children that is not expected to outlive its parents, and that's frightening. Obesity is definitely a huge issue that feeds off another bigger issue -- our advances in technology. These kids are getting less and less active -- the texting, the video games, the iPods. The only things moving are their thumbs. And with our stress on academic performance and No Child Left Behind -- well, that's great: We're not going to have any children left behind, but they're all going to be overweight and have diabetes because physical education is just not a priority.

This isn't the P.E. of the '70s and '80s. There is no dodge ball. But I'll tell you this: The kids beg to play it and want to know why we can't. Why? Because human beings are not targets. And P.E. should not be about eliminating people from a game. The whole point is increased participation.

The challenge is getting kids to realize the importance of exercise, the importance of setting aside a time in your day for it and how lucky they are that this has already been scheduled for them. You only get one body. This is it. If you fail an English test, you can do better on the next one. But when you're in high school, you're invincible. Part of my job is to tell them that's not true. The damage starts now.

It does stink. There's a lot of pressure in looking good at school, and then we want you to come in and sweat and get gross, and they really don't have time to shower. I remember hating having to change for P.E. -- hating it. Now, I'd definitely say that not having to dress up for work -- and be in my P.E. clothes -- is a perk and a necessity. I do get out there with them. I can't stand the adage that "those who can't do, teach." I do. I run. I play soccer. As much as possible, I jump in. It is getting tougher to keep up, though.

Interview by Amanda Long