Cindy Aillaud
Delta Elementary School
Delta Junction, AK

"I teach games of love: love of life, love of health and love of learning. It is my goal to kindle a love of life in every student in our school. I encourage this love by creating fun and challenging activities during my time with each child. When students arrive at school, they look forward to each day's adventure in the gym. Every class period is filled with fun, physical fitness and essential skills for life. Cooperation, respect, honesty, trust, acceptance, tolerance and citizenship are woven into every lesson. My own enthusiasm is the key to student success, along with clearly defined expectations and the consequences of choices."

"Cindy's awareness and experience in teaching the whole child is evident in her planning and instruction. The respect she has from the entire staff has allowed her the opportunity to work with teachers and integrate the lessons of the classroom into the gym. She aligns her physical education instruction to the Alaska State Standards in math and reading, thereby providing students an additional opportunity to become proficient and allows them relate the classroom to life. These diverse and linking activities are especially valuable for our at risk students."

Cindy brings as much of the outside world as possible into her small isolated community. The Yukon Quest and the Iditarod dog sled races are very important events in Alaska. While the races are in progress, the students are divided into groups and given materials to construct a dog sled, complete with "dogs" to transport their team to the other side of the gym. During the Olympics, the gym becomes the scene of Winter Olympics with groups choosing countries (real or make-believe) that they represent for participation. Every year, she has her school participate in Jump Rope for Heart, sponsored by the American Heart Association to help raise money for heart research. To become more aware of people in need of their help, Cindy's classes participate in collecting donations and jumping rope for an afternoon. Their knowledge of leading a heart healthy life is increased through her lessons about the heart. Cindy encourages students to develop a lifelong love for health and movement. Living in rural Alaska where temperatures frequently drop to twenty below zero or colder is a challenge to be physically active. A much respected doctor once told her, "Motion is lotion!" Cindy shares this with her students, and believes that people must move to stay healthy. Most people need to enjoy moving to keep moving, so she makes moving fun.

Other Highlights:

• Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, 2000
• Delta/Greely Education Association Teacher of the Year, 1993
• Sister Maria in Fairbanks Light Opera Theater's production of "Tony and Tina's Wedding," 1997
• Photographs have been accepted & exhibited in state and juried shows including the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, 1999 - present
• Photographs on the cover of NEA-AK calendar, 2000, 2002, 2004
• Co-President Delta/Greely Education Association, 1999-2002, 2004-2005
• Chair of Steering and Rules Committee at NEA-AK Delegate Assembly, 2003- present
• Curriculum Management Committee, 2001-present
• NEA Read Across America School Coordinator, 1998 - present
• Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator, 1993 -present
• 5th grade Photography Club Sponsor, 2003-present
• Instructor for local Cub Scouts Summer Day Camp, 1998 - 2002
• Member of Tuesday Tappers Dance Club performing at many community events, 1998 - 2001
• Participant in Annual Community Cleanup Day
• Member of the following professional organizations - National Education Association, Delta/Greely Education Association, Alaska State Science Consortium, Alaska State Writing Consortium, Alaska and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Fairbanks Arts Association, Camera Arts Club, and Alaska Photography Center
• Photo awarded Best of Show in American Association for Leisure and Recreation (AALR) 2003-2004 photo contest and will be the AALR Poster of the Year