My name is Ben Pirillo. Currently I am teaching in the Plano ISD. Everything that I have done so far with the school district has been great. I am at Hughston Elementary. It is a great school with motivated students. We are building a new gym in a few months and I am looking forward to that. I attended the University of Northern Iowa were I was involved and a lot of stuff. My father, Joe Pirillo, always wanted me to teach. So, I took his advice. When I first told him I was going to teach Physical Education he became a little worried. He thought I would not find a job. He wanted me to teach math. I like math, but I enjoy Physical Education more.

In the past I coached gymnastics. It was a lot of fun and quite the learning experience. I had no gymnastic background what-so-ever, but I found myself adjusting quickly. It is an experience I will never forget.

One of my biggest accomplishments I have made at UNI was starting up the P.E. Club. It is an organization that gets together and works on things to help build their resumes. Some of the projects are running in the "Relay for Life" and raising money for the Cancer Society, "Jump for Heart," and going to national and state conventions. In the past I participated in the "Call for Papers." This is a part of the national convention for students to write abstracts and give presentations. I presnted the first year, and due to lack of funds I was unable to present the following two years. At our state convention I gave a presentation about web sites. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it a lot.

One of the best things that has happened to me while being in college was joining Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. I was involved with the Delta Tau Chapter at UNI. I held different officer positions including being the President. Wow I never would have thought that I would have been the president. It was a lot of busy work. It is hard keeping everyone in line and on task, but I handled it to the best of my capabilities. I am glad to have that experience, actually it reminds me of teaching and trying to keep everyone on task and moving, hehe.

My home town is Altoona, IA. Home of Adventureland Park. That's where I worked during the summers. I was a Rides Department Team Leader. I got to walk around and be important. Don't get me wrong that is not all I did. Some times I had to give people bathroom breaks and/or water when they needed it. Every once in a while I had to deal with guest that have complants, but usually my supervisor handled them.

In my life I have had the luck to travel around a lot. My parents were always taking us to different places. It was fun though because we got to go to a bunch of theme parks. Oh, also we went to a lot of historic stuff. But, I was more interested in the theme parks. Recently my parents and I took a trip to Rome, Italy. We spent about a week and a half there. Both sides of my family came from Italy, so that makes me full blooded Italian. While there we were hoping to visit some of our relatives, but we were unalbe to. I wish I could speak Italian, it would have made the trip a lot more fun.

Well that is about it for me. Except for I like to joke around a lot. Having fun and being funny is a great trait to have. When I am with my friends I like to tell jokes and funny stories. Once for a talent show for employees at Adventureland, I did a stand up routine. I got a lot of laughs and I enjoyed doing it. My dad is now thinking I am in the wrong profession. I wish he would just make up his mind. Which should it be, teach or make people laugh? How about both. I can make people laugh when they see me teach. Oh just kidding. I believe that I am a very good and caring teacher.

Professional Links:
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF)

American Association for Leisure and Recreation (AALR)

American Association for Health Education (AAHE)

National Dance Association (NDA)

National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS)

National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)

State AHPERD's