Entering my 33rd year teaching, I consider myself fortunate to be teaching 5th grade Physical Education and coordinating, supervising and training University of Utah Reading Clinic tutors with the Salt Lake Arts Academy!

A teacher's background typically follows a rich potpourri of required licenses and desired pathways of education; my history is no different.

 

I teach 5th grade PE in traditional and non-traditional formats, and have recently become trained in Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction-Teen (MBSR-T) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs. I will be integrating these lesson plans into my 5th grade coursework.

 

I also train University of Utah reading students from the U of U Reading Clinic who work 1:1 with SLARTS students who may struggle meeting their grade level reading goals. In addition to coordinating UURC students, I am fortunate enough to teach my own caseload of reading students.

 

PE includes course work with the following community programs:

 

With a Bachelor's in Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology (emphasis in Deaf Education) and a Masters Degrees in Special Education & Exercise and Sport Science emphasizing Special Populations, Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Reading Specialist teaching endorsements I was able to venture into the world of Special Education working with an eclectic group of students. I feel fortunate to have taught such inspiring children.

At the age of 50, I started my doctorate degree in Exercise and Sport Science emphasizing in Yoga and Special Populations. I was published in the Journal of Burn Care and Research for my work with Yoga and Pediatric Burn Survivors with the University Hospital's Burn Camps and presented in two American Burn Associations conferences winning one "Best Poster" presentation.

 

I have also submitted to the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) conference our study on Anatomy Academy (on Zoom) conducted with Boston University - I'll keep you posted with it's acceptance status for the Seattle, 2023 conference!

On a more personal note, I've always been drawn toward physical activities. About 31 years ago, I took my high school class of Deaf students rock climbing in Huntington Beach, CA to SAFELY participate in a signing rock climbing lesson to include self-confidence and empowerment skill development; it was here that I met, who would later become, my husband! (I couldn't pass up a signing rock climber!)

In 2005, my family and I experienced a diagnosis of breast cancer and suddenly we found our lives, once again, making a turn not anticipated. After a year of treatment, and through my recovery process, I became a certified yoga instructor for adults and children and started A Quality Life Community (QLC), a non-profit for cancer survivors (any and all cancers) for all people who find wellness through yoga, for FREE.https://www.amyconnyoga.com Yoga for Wellness is the parent company of QLC, running retreats and workshops helping to support and maintain all people a sense of wellness.