Thomas B. Griffin

Thomas B. Griffin served in the United States Army (1967-1969) before graduating from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) with a Bachelor of Arts degree (1971) in Physical Education, thereafter serving as an Elementary Physical Education Specialist and middle school coach in the Ames School District for thirty- two years. He earned a Master of Science degree (1982) in Physical Education from Iowa State University (ISU), thereafter continuing to teach elementary physical education in Ames, serving as a cooperating teacher for ISU pre-service teachers and a special support teacher for methods courses being taught at ISU. He created FIT-KIDS (summer enrichment program for elementary students) and “World-Wide Relays” (international internet/email project involving students across the United States, Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and Japan) and ran a KINDER-GYM for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children.

Mr. Griffin was on the writing team for “Physical Best” (AAHPERD), curriculum and instruction (Iowa DPI), authored many articles relative to elementary physical education and presented at national (AAHPERD) and Iowa (IAHPERD) conventions. He has served as a member of the National Council on Physical Education for Children, a national convention elementary section chairperson and a “National Teacher of the Year” Selection Committee member. Mr. Griffin received honors including an Inspiration Award, National Association for Sport and Physical Education (1990); Presidential Youth Fitness Award, AAHPERD (1984); Iowa Outstanding Elementary School Program Award, Governor’s Physical Fitness and Sport Council (1987) and the Iowa Elementary School Demonstration Center Award, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport and Iowa Department of Public Instruction (1985).