My name is Terrell Hawkins, and this year I’m a program instructor for FLOC’s Scholars Program. As a FLOC instructor, some of my responsibilities include helping to motivate students in achieving goals in within the classroom and in life, helping them to mature into young adults, and helping them graduate and go onto post-secondary education. My work has included helping students with their homework, getting to know students outside the workshops on field trips, and most recently, planning and leading an elective hour with the 6th through 8th graders.
In connecting with the students early this year, I noticed they have a great respect for me as a graduate and former student-athlete of Howard University in Washington, DC. The kids question me frequently about school and football, so I felt a fitness elective would be fun and relevant to their interests.
So far in this elective workshop, students have learned important stretches that are good for those who play sports, as well as general health and wellness. We have played dodgeball and worked on the skills used for dodgeball (such as hand-eye coordination, agility, strength training and aerobic training) which are also applicable to other sports that the kids are interested in.
Between the numerous papers on my desk requesting to be in my elective and kids saying they are having a great time and learning, I know I’m impacting kids in a positive way, and this means everything to me.
(Terrell Hawkins is a program instructor in the Scholars Program.)
