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As Physical Education teacher, Eric Vacek teaches every student at Kahoa Elementary School, 7700 Leighton Dr. Even at 45 minutes per class every few days, Vacek understands the power of relationships between teachers and students.

The school’s own mission statement specifically mentions wellness.

It reads: ‘Fostering academic excellence and wellness for all students in a safe and caring environment.’

Having a connection plays an especially key role in P.E. throughout Lincoln Public Schools, which stresses lifetime wellness. Vacek, a competitor in bicycle races, routinely sees and hears of students at their own competitive events, and can be found participating in various wellness activities with his family. 

Through these interactions, students and families can see that Kahoa personally believes in what he teaches, strengthening that connection.

On this particular day in May, the lifetime wellness activity is golf, and he is using The First Tee National School Program, which are developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

“This is a program that I've been trained in and continually go to update trainings for,” Vacek said. “The focus of the program is to establish a lifelong interest in golf by engaging young people in a structured golf curriculum that promotes personal character development within a physical education setting.”