The Walking Classroom Staff
- Laura Fenn
Chief Executive Officer (although Laura prefers “Chief Enthusiasm Officer!”)
“When I was in fourth grade, we had recess twice a day. I remember the morning recess being particularly rambunctious, and Jeff Barnes and his crew regularly set me as their target during games of Chase. Well, one morning I had just had it with Jeff and his antics, but I let the game of Chase begin per usual. As Jeff approached me full-throttle, I turned around, grabbed both of his arms, and used the momentum between us as launching energy. We spun in a circle a few times and then I released him. He soared almost as high as my spirit, and from that day forward, we only played Chase when I wanted to. Unstructured recess teaches many life-lessons. Today Jeff is happily married and the father of 4 children. I like to think I taught him at an early age the importance of respecting women.” - Natalie Dekle
Program Director
“My first foray into organized physical activity (in the spring between fourth and fifth grade), was not particularly positive. Even my memory of it is painful. I managed to slam a finger or two in a car door the first day and spent the entire practice focusing on my throbbing and (at least in my imagination) soon-to-be-deformed digits. I stuck it out (striking out at nearly every at bat!) through nine long weeks. For that and other reasons, including a pathetic lack of hand-eye coordination and yet-to-be diagnosed near-sightedness, I never returned to the sport. Instead, I decided that a far better past-time was tucking myself in a cozy nook among the branches of the sturdy maple tree alongside our driveway, hidden from the view of others, whiling away an hour or two with a good book—preferably something with a spunky female protagonist through whom I could vicariously experience all kinds of adventures. That summer spent digesting the details of my literary pals’ pursuits empowered me somehow, and by the time fifth grade rolled around, I confidently ventured down from my nest and proudly rode around the neighborhood on the best birthday present a ten-year old in the 1970’s could get—a brand new spider bike with a banana seat—reliving my favorite characters’ adventures and imagining some of my own. These solitary rides kept my brain moving as much as they did my feet; they energized me and made me feel capable of amazing things. My fifth grade favorites—my books and my bike—provided me with lifelong memories, as they took me to new places, allowed for novel (pun intended!) experiences, and taught me about myself and the world around me. Clearly, physical activity awakens our minds, opening them wide so we can learn!” - Debra Ives
Executive Director
“There is a widely held belief at The Walking Classroom that I started shopping for business attire starting in fifth grade! Budgets and spreadsheets were nowhere on my radar screen back then… I was a tomboy! I loved kickball, tag, bicycling, badminton, swimming in the ocean, and running. Now we call this unstructured play, but I called it fun… especially if I could beat my brothers. I was pretty fearless and anxious to try new things! Later in life, this made it possible for me to make all kinds of adventurous decisions about life. Who knew fifth grade was so important?!” - Carolyn Kern
Office Manager
“In 4th and 5th grades, the highlight of my day was recess!! We had the opportunity to be part of an organized group game or have free time. I always chose the group activity my favorite being kickball. Teams were usually chosen by a “school-yard pick,” and most of the time I was chosen towards the beginning. I LOVED being thought of as one of the better girl players. I have always enjoyed being part of a team and being active.” - Lee Ann Obringer
Communications Director
“When I was in fifth grade, my best friend and I wrote a play. It was a satire based on some current crime drama on TV like Baretta or Columbo. We titled it “This Is an Up-Stick” (we were so clever), and we even added commercial breaks between scenes. Our fabulous 5th grade teachers, we had three, agreed to let us put the play on for the entire school. It was a huge success, particularly the commercials, which were for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hai Karate aftershave, and Oscar Mayer Bologna (the commercial that taught us all how to spell bologna). Not only did our teachers agree to let us take time out of class to do it, they also brought in KFC and bologna for the commercials (no Hai Karate, too dangerous). Writing and then directing the play, we learned a lot of things that we probably wouldn’t have touched on in the classroom. We were very lucky to have teachers who understood the value of learning from doing!”