Naperville P.E. Teacher Named Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator of the Year

Students and staff at Spring Brook Elementary in Naperville School District 204 are jumping for joy over their adored P.E. teacher, Jenny Jansen, who has been named, Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator of the Year.

Each year the American Heart Association and SHAPE America recognize Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart coordinators, school administrators, physical educators and cardiovascular disease survivors who have seen significant growth, helped with recruitment, garnered school and community support and leadership with the joint projects.

Schools nationwide participate in Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart to help fight the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers- heart disease & stroke.

Dave Worst, Principal at Spring Brook School nominated Jansen for the award for her devotion and commitment to the Jump Rope for Heart programs.

“The students, staff, and parents are truly fortunate to have Jenny as their physical education teacher. Her leadership, child-centered focus, dedication and positive attitude is an excellent example of a teaching professional,” said Worst.

Jansen has been the Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator at Spring Brook for over 20 years and has participated at other schools for close to 30 years. During her tenure at Spring Brook she has raised over $530,000 for The American Heart Association, which has helped fund research and education to fight against heart disease and stroke.

Jansen teaches students how physical fitness benefits the heart and shows them that volunteering can be a fun and positive experience for the entire community.

The need to educate children about the importance of physical activity is vital. About one in three U.S. children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese. Excess weight increases the strain on the heart, raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It can also make diabetes more likely to develop.

“By including physical activity and education into their daily routines, kids can significantly reduce the onset and burden of heart disease,” said Mary Lou Torrison, American Heart Association Youth Market Director.

Physical activity is a necessary component in the fight against heart disease and stroke – our number 1 and number 5 killers. Children need at least one hour of physical activity every day to maintain a healthy heart, however many do not receive the minimum requirement. The lack of physical activity increases a child’s risk of heart disease, obesity and other problems later in life.

Through its Youth Markets team, the American Heart Association works with districts and schools to promote heart healthy living, physical activity and community service to children, and provides free wellness tools to the faculty and staff.

For 38 years, millions of students nationwide have jumped rope and learned about heart health and how nutrition and physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

To learn more about Jump Rope for Heart, call (312) 399-3539 or 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721). You can also visit us online at www.heart.org/jump.

Submitted by the American Heart Association