This school year, the PE department hired three new Physical Education (PE) teachers, one of whom is a 2013 LT graduate, Ari Dilcher. After the retirement of Scott Walker and the turnover of two others, the spaces were filled by Dilcher, Madeleine Smietanski, and Joseph Pontrelli. The PE Division Chair, Kurt Johns, has high hopes for the PE department this school year to bring a positive light to PE, even if it can sometimes be intimidating. 

“I think PE in particular can be a really positive experience for a lot of students, or it can be anxiety-provoking, depending on what the activity is and prior experience,” Johns said. “I’m really looking into [new staff] along with the rest of our staff to try to dispel that concern or any anxiety that comes around PE.”

The additions to the Physical Welfare staff will contribute new perspectives to their classes and build strong relationships with not just co-workers but students as well.

“I plan to incorporate my own unique ideas, energy, and personality into the mix to create engaging experiences for our students in hopes that each student feels motivated, supported, and excited about their time in PE,” Dilcher said.

Dilcher’s original career path was sports marketing and management. Once she found her passion for teaching, she knew her old high school was where she would find the most fulfillment. 

“Being back in this community and having the chance to give back in a content area I am genuinely passionate about has been extremely rewarding,” Dilcher said.

The new hires, eager to get started with this school year, are prepared to contribute to the PE department and learn from their new environment. 

“I’m just excited to get started and learn from all these wonderful teachers and just hopefully make a positive impact,” Pontrelli said.

Being allowed into the LT community with the opportunity to grow and obtain new experiences is honorable, Smietanski said.

“This place is so special and I feel beyond grateful to be teaching alongside such a supportive staff as well as outstanding students,” Smietanski said.

The PE department’s end goal is for students to find value in physical education and turn it into something that students look forward to.

“I would love to change the narrative of some students’ approach to physical education as an obligation,” Johns said. “Like, ‘we have to take this class.’ I wanna change it from that mindset to ‘we get to take this class.’”