My name is Susan Darby.  I am excited about teaching your child in my physical education class. Your child will be engaged in many fun activities in gym class. Students will learn healthy eating habits, locomotor skills, sport skills, good sportsmanship, various games and activities, hula hooping,  jumping rope, and movement activities to music. I am an active participant at all times in the class so that I can model the correct way to exercise or perform a new skill or activity.

I graduated from Valdosta State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. In 1992 I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood.  I was self-employed as a financial planner with New York Life Insurance Company prior to entering the teaching profession. However, my true passion is in the field of physical education. I have loved sports and have been an advocate of exercise since I can remember. I was a lifeguard and swimming instructor for four years as a teenager at  Circlestone Country Club. This is when I realized how much I loved teaching children. 

My teaching profession began in the classroom in Berrien County. I taught in the classroom for four years .  I taught kindergarten, third, and fifth grades. I began teaching physical education in Cook County in 1996.   I teach grades kindergarten through second grade at Cook Primary School. I feel very privileged to get to work with so many different students.

While attending VSU, I was selected as Who's Who Among College Students in Physical Education.  I served as secretary and vice-president of The KHPE Advisory Committee at VSU for many years. I am the past and present coordinator for Jump Rope for Heart sponsored by The American Heart Association.

I believe that physical education is crucial to the overall development of the total child.  Physical activity is important not only for our mental well-being, but for our social and psychological development  My goal is to motivate and encourage our students to be physically active daily. Research shows there is a strong correlation between doing well in the classroom and having  opportunities for students to move and be physically active. Students are allowed this opportunity when they come to the gym. There is never a dull moment during my class. We do a lot of different activities such as jumping rope, playing basketball, playing on the hippity hops, scooter boards, and bean bags to name a few.

I am a member of The Adel United Methodist Church. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, exercising, gardening, hunting, fishing, and cooking. I also love to travel.