Alton School District's Wellness Wednesdays Build Healthy Culture for Teachers

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 staff members have the opportunity to move their bodies and build the district’s culture with Wellness Wednesdays.

For three years now, Lawrence Gordon has invited ACUSD11 staff members to join him for these weekly workouts. Gordon, who owns U FIT Fitness and Wellness in Godfrey, takes participating staff members through weight training, circuit training, and other basic workouts with the goal of building camaraderie and encouraging fitness.

“It means the world to me,” Gordon said. “It’s been absolutely wonderful being able to give back to my community. I’m actually an alumni of Alton High. I graduated in 2009, so a big thing is being able to help the community that I was raised in and help our area become a healthier, safer place. I’m just trying to be a little pebble in making a change and helping us out.”

Gordon loves working with the teachers. There are approximately 10 teachers who come every week and many more who join when their schedules allow. He enjoys getting to know them and helping them through their workouts.

The workouts range in difficulty and are customizable so that everyone can participate regardless of their fitness level or ability. It’s important to Gordon to make sure his classes are fun for all.

A few teachers have been encouraged by Wellness Wednesdays to completely change their lifestyles. These staff members have gone on to work out at Gordon’s gym, and a few of them have experienced major weight loss journeys.

“A lot of them have actually transitioned into really changing their lifestyle,” he said. “I’ve had some teachers that have lost 50 pounds, 100 pounds. The Wellness Wednesdays just helped them start that journey, and then they really just took off and really, really capitalized on it, and they haven’t quit in the last three years.”

This means a lot to Gordon, whose mission is to help community members feel more confident and healthy. He has also loved watching these teachers “ build relationships and camaraderie” through their attendance at Wellness Wednesdays.

Gordon doubles as the strength and conditioning coordinator for students in ACUSD11. Whether he is working with students or teachers, he believes in the work he’s doing to help maintain the positive, healthy culture of Alton School District.

His work with Wellness Wednesdays goes beyond organizing workouts; for him, it’s about creating a space for people to become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves, which then impacts the district’s culture.

“It’s just so fulfilling,” he added. “If we wanted to sum it up, from the teachers to the students, we’re really just trying to protect our culture, making sure we’re all healthy, happy, and we’re all thriving together.”

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