Learning: DisneyHand Teacher Awards: The 2004 Honorees
Elizabeth Pumala
Special Needs - Adapted Physical Education ages 3-21

Elizabeth Pumala
Laremont School
Gages Lake, IL

"We run, we play, we swim and scream, but we are quiet when we golf. We roller skate, we ride bicycles, we play competitive games, and we forget. We forget that we are 'disabled,' and we even forget that we are 'handicapped;' sometimes we even forget that we cannot walk, and so we walk. We take the energy and excitement that surrounds us, and we run."

-- Elizabeth

"Liz is a member of each child's educational team and works hard to orchestrate activities to meet individual goals. Liz honors students with awards for outstanding achievement. On any given day, one might see roller skating, bowling or skiing by children who do not have the physical or mental ability to participate in 'normal' childhood activities. Liz sees capabilities not disabilities with each student. She has transformed a traditional gymnasium into an Olympic stadium of individualized sport and team events and every student into an Olympian."

-- Julie Rohrbach, Colleague

Elizabeth teaches adapted physical education to severe, profound, medically fragile students ages 3-21 years of age. She teaches each student with the same energy, using fun as a motivator; however, each student requires individual considerations. Some have a desire to learn, some do not, but Elizabeth believes every student can learn. She believes that they should win, lose, struggle and accomplish goals. She wants them to learn to handle happiness, sorrow and the excitement of life. Elizabeth wants them to play on teams and learn what a teammate is, and she wants them to celebrate a victory and learn from defeat. She believes every student should learn.

Other Highlights:

  • Beeper Baseball, Head Coach, 2000 - 2001
  • Director, Future Kidz Sportz Program 2000 -2001
  • Member, Council for Exceptional Children
  • Carthage College Softball, 1997 -2001
  • Volunteer GLASA Coach, 1999 - 2001
  • Volunteer, Special Olympics, 1998 -2001
  • Carthage Athlete of the Year Nominee, 2001
  • Carthage Scholar Athlete Award, 2000
  • Carthage Athletic Director' s Honor Roll, 1997 - 2000