Get to Know: Dana Griffith Keeps Moving, Shaking

For such a go-getter, procrastination nearly cost Dana Griffith.

The Berkmar Middle School physical education teacher confessed she uncharacteristic left that packet on her desk so long, wishy-washy about whether to formally apply for NFL Network's PE Teacher of the Year competition.

Funny, but if a student had doubted his worthiness the way she had, she said she'd have jumped all over him.

"It was funny," she said. "It kind of sat on the corner of my desk, and I kept asking myself, 'Should I do this? Is it worth it?'"

Unknowingly nominated by seventh-grade student Hamzo Bosjnak, she received the application packet in January. At the urging of principal Kenney Wells just before the deadline, she finally submitted her application. She learned in March she was a finalist, and two weeks after submitting a video tape and having a phone interview, NFL Network called to congratulate her for winning.

As exciting as her $10,000 prize was that much for her Lilburn school, whose need for a track was the chief reason she applied. Within days of winning, she and husband Mike were whisked to New York to meet NFL Network's Deion Sanders and other celebrities, as well as take in a Yankees game and attend the NFL draft in New York City.

"I immediately panicked because that was the week of CRCT [testing]," she said, characteristically thinking first of her students. "I thought, 'They've all been working so hard, and here I'll be, celebrating the award.'"

The award was a crowning moment for Griffith, who has taught for Gwinnett County schools for 17 years and at Berkmar since it opened seven years ago. Becoming Gwinnett middle school teacher of the year in 2006 was big, but unlike this distinction, whose legacy will be part of a track students will use for years. It'll complement the school's fitness lab behind the gym, where students ride virtual bikes and participate in exercise games including "Dance Dance Revolution."

It'll enhance what Griffith does best -- keep students active in an age of increasing childhood obesity and a weak economy's cutbacks to PE programs.

"If we want to go back to healthier habits... if we want to create behavioral change, you have to go back to the schools," she said. "We've got to keep (exercise) engaging and fun, so when kids are looking something to do, exercise is that thing they choose."

The NFL Network award, presented by the network's Keep Gym in School campaign, is part of the promotion for the NFL’s Play 60 program to keep students active. And that's what Berkmar's department head always has focused on, even while at Snellville Middle with fellow teacher Quintin Jones, before both opened Berkmar.

"She's a great leader and really cares about PE and all the kids being involved," Jones said. "She's an advocate of PE year-round and a joy to work with.

"She's always looking for things to move her program forward," he added. "She pushed me like I pushed her."

Griffith is known for innovative methods that keep kids interested. She began stenciling on the gym wall the names of top achievers in Berkmar's Healthy Fitness Zone, an idea she got from a colleague during eight years at Grayson's McConnell Middle. Ultimately, she'd like to foster life-long interest in fitness, perhaps even sports like field hockey, lacrosse, gymnastics and track, which she played in school.

From her tireless work with students to teaching faculty aerobics to coaching her 4-year-old daughter's soccer team, Griffith's enthusiasm for fitness is contagious.

"She basically takes the lead on anything that happens," said Griffith's team teacher, Tasha Guadalupe. "Dana has a real passion for educating children to be physically active, and with that passion comes drive to get the job done. When you have someone passionate about what they're doing, kids feed off of that."

Griffith relishes being among those who can smile on each morning's drive to work.

"There's a small percentage of people who can get up in the morning and go to work and really love what they do," she said. "I don't see myself doing anything different.

"When you see [students] doing something, experiencing their own success or their own personal best, it's definitely worth it."