Hamilton Heights students dive into unique learning experiences

Submitted

Todd Jones, a 30-year veteran PE teacher and coach at Hamilton Heights High School, is always looking for ways to kick up the educational experience for his students. Recently, he did just that with his third-period Rec Games class by giving them the opportunity to experience Olympic-level diving up close and in person.

Jones reached out to John Wingfield, owner of Ripfest Diving Club, based in Arcadia, to create this unique experience. The students first attended a diving presentation and demonstration in the high school pool during a 90-minute block period. After the demonstration by two club divers, students were given the chance to try out their skills on the diving boards.

As a follow-up activity, Jones’ class took a short three-minute field trip up the road to Ripfest’s indoor training facility. There, elite level divers demonstrated how they train using trampolines. Students then were given the opportunity to jump on the trampolines, guided by the Ripfest coaching staff, and became comfortable with the jumps and skills. A few brave students even jumped into the foam pit off the diving board, while others used harnesses to perform somersaults on the trampoline with the coaches’ aid elevating their experience.

Emily Beechler, an educational coach at the high school, helped Jones with the idea as part of his cycle 2 teacher evaluation and attended the trip to Arcadia.

“It was wonderful to see Mr. Jones going above and beyond to plan experiences for his kids inside and outside of the classroom,” Beechler said. “Many students started out shy and unsure of joining in, but by the end they were hooked up to harnesses, flipping around, sweating, and smiling from ear to ear. What a wonderful way to extend the classroom into our community and to give kids a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Wingfield praised Jones for thinking outside the box and utilizing unique local resources.

“Many thanks to Mr. Jones for taking advantage of unique experiences and resources local to Hamilton Heights High School,” he said. “It was great to see what the students learned during their class participation in out-of-the-ordinary opportunities in the sports of diving and trampoline.”

Senior Rudy Bowen shared his positive experience, stating, “The coaches were welcoming and demonstrated the dives well. It was very fun going through the different dives and safety techniques, and they made sure the environment was safe so no injury could be caused.”

Senior Gabe Roosa added, “It was a fun and easy trip to try new things. It was cool to learn about what a great diving program we have in our small community and a great, engaging activity.”

Jones is not done thinking outside the box. He has plans for his second period Rec Games class that involve bowling, disc golf, and cornhole, utilizing area residents skilled in those activities to demonstrate and work with the students. His goal is to give them more lifetime experiences above and beyond the books and laptops of the traditional school day.”