BVSD Staff Profile: BVSD alum, Tim Chavez offers an exceptional PE experience for students at Emerald Elementary

Skateboarding, lacrosse, climbing, a wall full of bikes so every kid learns to ride, these are just some of the ways Tim Chavez, Emerald Elementary Physical Education (PE) teacher, is changing the rules of what people think of elementary PE classes.

Chavez is a perfect example of our amazing BVSD alumni, who grow up and give back to the community that shaped them.

A Colorado native, Chavez attended BVSD schools K-12: Louisville Elementary, Louisville Middle School and graduated from Monarch High School in 2004. His family moved to this area when Old Town Superior was still known for mining, and they still live there today. His family lost a whole block of homes in the Marshall fire, and worked to recover and rebuild, remaining Superior residents.

After graduation, Chavez wasn’t sure what his path would be, but wasn’t ready to commit to college. 

“My parents were pushing me to pursue education but I knew I needed to go on my own and figure out the real world for myself for a bit.”

He found a job working for Western Disposal for 10 years. In that time he married his high school sweetheart, bought a house and eventually decided to return to get his bachelor's degree at Metro State in Denver.

His path was solidified by his positive experiences in school, as he had some inspiring teachers, and his love for sports, he coached youth sports throughout his young life.

Sports were always a passion for Chavez. He wrestled at Monarch High School, helped coach his brother’s youth football team, basketball, rec center leagues and more.

“When I went to Metro I wanted to become a P.E. teacher and also a coach,” said Chavez. 

Making connections at Platt

He attended college in Denver full time during the day and then got a job working nights as a custodian at Platt Middle School. During that time, several BVSD district staff were also working in the Platt building as the district administration center was being remodeled. They and other teachers connected with Chavez and supported him in his studies.

“Those folks helped me become a teacher,” says Chavez. “They would help review my lesson plans for school or ideas I had, I presented to them and they even helped me with mock interviews ahead of job applications.”

When he had finished his degree an opening in PE at Columbine Elementary appeared and he applied and got the job.

“In my interview with the principal at the time, after just one question he asked me “You wanna go see the gym?” He called me back about 30 minutes after the interview to let me know I set the bar pretty high and soon after I got the job.”

“Those teachers and district staff who knew me at Platt had called and recommended me, even though I had no teaching experience other than my student teaching,” he said. “They really helped me out so much and I’m grateful to them.”

Then the district switched to the ABC special rotation the following year and Chavez’s position was getting cut. Fortunately he got word that a PE teacher at Emerald Elementary in Broomfield was retiring and a full time spot was available. 

PE with “Mr. C”

He’s now been “Mr. C”, Emerald’s beloved PE teacher for 8 years with no plans to leave. His kids also attend Emerald, his oldest in his last year as a 5th grader, and his youngest about to start preschool there in the fall. 

“I drive us all to school each day, it’s fun, I like having them here,” he shared.

Chavez’s P.E. classes are not typical. He pushes the limits of what kids are exposed to during their weekly time with him. 

He has a climbing program, bikes lining the ceiling gym walls on racks, each kid at Emerald learns to ride a bike, a skateboarding unit, lacrosse, tennis, field days and more.

This month the Rocky Mountain Rattlers Youth Lacrosse program visited to expose kids to the sport of lacrosse. They got to run through drills, learn stick handling and passing. Smiles, laughter and lots of flying lacrosse balls filled the gym.

“The whole culture here at Emerald is kid-first,” says Chavez. “So even if I’m not super familiar with skateboarding, I know the kids are interested in it and will enjoy it so I use that curriculum, seek out collaboration among other teachers doing it in the district and we make it happen.”

He even ensures the littlest among them are included, “I recently had preschool come down and we did some exercising and talked about how to build a healthy plate.”

He credits his ability to offer so many options to his supportive specials staff and school team at Emerald. 

“It’s the dream team here, I couldn’t ask for better colleagues,” he says. “Our approach, our philosophy of teaching, we all just jump in and help each other.”

“School-wide events like field day, musicals, and art shows takes collaboration and help from each other and the classroom teachers and we never hesitate to engage with each other, we collaborate and it all flows nicely to be the best experience for the kids. Emerald is kid first, family first, community first.”

Morning Movement and Affirmation Alley

As a physical educator Chavez knows many kids benefit from morning movement, to set their focus for the day. To support this, he and his teammates established Morning Movement and Affirmation Alley in the specials wing of the school.

“Every morning for the first 10 minutes of school before announcements we do morning movement and our affirmation alley. Students can come run laps, jump rope or do exercises with their friends. After they finish their exercise they go say an affirmation for the day, and practice a breathing technique with the art teacher. Some days we get over 100 kids that come down and do it.”

“If I’m bored, they’re bored”

Chavez’s above and beyond commitment to the physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing of his students was recognized by the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Colorado (SHAPE) as he was presented with the Colorado Teacher Recognition Award this year, an organization at which he’s presented for at conferences.

“I always want new things for my students. If I’m bored, they're bored,” he shared. “At the elementary level especially, specials (art, music and physical education classes) are their motivation to go to school. Whatever special they have that day is their motivation to go.” (i.e. today is PE day!)

His favorite part of being an elementary PE teacher? “I love when a kid tries something new that’s challenging and they find success.”

“The smile, the instant gratification and pride they take in themselves and that motivation of “I can do this”, especially for kids who struggle in school, that’s what keeps me going,” says Chavez. “It’s another way for them to find pride and confidence in school outside of the classroom.”

He says it’s also special to get to see go from kindergarten all the way to 5th grade and beyond. One of his former students is currently on the state champion Broomfield softball team. 

“I remember telling her here, you’ll be doing great stuff in softball, and they go and win state. That’s so cool to see.”

Thankfully for Emerald Elementary students and families, Mr. C is happy where he is and loves what he does. 

“Every year in my annual check- in I say ‘I want to be in this office for the next 20 years,’” says Chavez. “I hope these kids know Mr. C at Emerald is here to get us moving and make our days fun.