Over the years, Shari Garcia, fifth-grade teacher at Brownsville's Hudson Elementary, has built up an inspiring arsenal of songs, games and physical activities designed to motivate her students to eat right and exercise. By weaving exercise into vocabulary lessons and nutrition education into classroom parties, Garcia hopes her efforts will eventually turn the tide of the region's childhood obesity and diabetes rates.

Why does she focus on nutrition? "There's too much fat in the food we eat, and we don't get enough of the good stuff," said Garcia. "Because kids aren't getting good nutrition training at home, I try and give it to them at school." This creative, energetic educator employs a number of strategies. Students do jumping jacks while learning vocabulary, punch out numbers boxing-style during multiplication lessons, and learn songs that teach them to eat right and exercise. "I'll take a theme," explained Garcia, "like disco or something, and pick a song and change the words. To the tune of ‘Get Down Tonight,' for example, I'll have the kids sing something like ‘Eat a little fruit, do some exercise, eat right tonight.' It's fun and the kids are reminded to incorporate nutritious food and physical activity into their lives."

Sweets and junk food are not allowed at Garcia's class parties. Instead, students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. "I want them to know they don't need cookies to have a good time." Garcia also shares an important secret with her students: diets don't work. "What does work," she noted, "in terms of staying healthy and in good shape, is a lifetime of exercise and eating right, which is what I teach them."

Her message seems to be getting through. Recently, Garcia ran into a group of students she taught many years ago. "I was at a high school basketball game," she said with a laugh, "and these students stopped me and told me they still know the words to some of those songs."

Ultimately, though, results are difficult to measure. "You never know if what you're doing has an impact," she said. "I try and affect a few kids at a time and hope the lessons trickle down. It may take years, but my hope is that the lessons found in the activities and songs will eventually sink in."