For two years, Urban Initiatives has partnered with the Chicago Stars FC to offer the Goal Getter P.E. Sports program to a handful of Chicago Public Schools.
As part of this program, Urban Initiatives trains P.E. teachers to implement a 12-session adaptable unit that takes place during P.E. instructional time and introduces elementary students to soccer skills and key social-emotional learning skills like teamwork, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution they can take from the field to the classroom and beyond.
By training and collaborating with CPS P.E. teachers at partnering schools, the program not only provides Chicago students with sport experiences and SEL-integrated curricular instruction to which they would not otherwise have access, but also provides targeted professional development to participating teachers.
Of course, one of the real highlights for participating students is an opportunity to meet – and even play soccer with – a real live professional Stars FC soccer player! This year, Chicago Stars FC midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth generously donated her time to be a special guest during P.E. class at several schools. Despite arriving soon after grueling morning practices, Leilanni brought energy and enthusiasm to every class.
Of course, she was met with an equal amount of enthusiasm from students humming with excitement to “meet a soccer star”, see if she was Team Messi or Team Ronaldo, and ask her a plethora of other questions. Third grade students from Lloyd Elementary in particular truly rolled out the red carpet for Leilanni, greeting her with hand-made welcome banners and cards.
Each visit begins with Leilanni introducing herself, sharing her unique story of growing up in Bermuda and attending boarding school in England on a cricket scholarship before winning multiple national titles at Florida State University and getting drafted by the Chicago Stars.
Introductions are followed by a soccer scrimmage or activity from the Goal Getter curriculum, in which Leilanni serves as equal parts participant and coach – demonstrating key skills, encouraging students to do their best, try playing a new position, or help their classmates, and providing in-the-moment pointers.
The visits conclude with a round of unfiltered Q&A from students, who are equally curious about Leilanni’s favorite foods and how long it took her to get to school in the mornings, as they are about her favorite part of being a professional soccer player or how she felt at her first soccer game.
Partnering P.E. teachers who have been implementing the Chicago Stars Goal Getter curriculum for the past couple of months were integral in implementing these visits, making extra efforts to coordinate them because they recognized the value they provided their students.
“Thank you so much for doing this for our students – they had a blast,” one teacher noted, “this was such a great experience for our school community.” Everyone at Urban Initiatives and our partnering schools can’t wait to cheer on Leilanni and the rest of her teammates this season!
