Source: Andrew Martin
When Andrew Martin started his virtual running club, all he wanted to do was find new ways to reach out to his students. Following school closures due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the former Grahamwood Elementary P.E teacher was forced to shift toward online learning, something that Martin discovered was not easy.
“We were using YouTube videos and other online learning techniques, but when I would send out feedback forms, it was clear that we were not doing enough,” Martin says. “Some parents were overwhelmed because everything was online, and they felt like they were not able to effectively teach their kids.”
As the weeks went on and the quarantine continued, Martin began to brainstorm ways that he could better connect with his students. He eventually landed on the idea of starting a virtual running club.
Martin compiled a list of activities and games his students could do that would keep them active, and then provided his students with pedometers to monitor the number of steps they amassed. He then sent a Google docs form out to his students, where they would log how many steps they had taken. The students would then covert those steps to miles and send them to Martin, who would plug the distance into Google Maps and find a “destination” that the students had reached.
“In the beginning I was just trying to make more of an impact with my students,” he says. “I wanted a way to connect with them and give them something fun to do, despite everything going on. I never thought it would get as big as it did, but the kids bought into it and made it successful.”
In just a few days, Martin’s class had reached the Eastern end of Tennessee. By the end of the week, they had reached the East Coast. As his students began to virtually cross the United States, Martin used social media to reach out to other P.E teachers from various states, asking them to make videos congratulating his students on their progress and encouraging them to keep going.
“I was in a Facebook group for P.E teachers and would ask people from whatever state the kids had made it to for a short video,” Martin says. “People were really supportive and were cheering the kids on the entire time.”
Word of his program spread fast, and notable names began reaching out to offer support to his virtual running group. Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Joris M. Ray, radio voice of the Memphis Grizzlies Eric Hasseltine, and Boston Marathon finisher Micah Herndon are among the names of people who reached out through video to offer their support to Martin’s students.
“I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of support the kids got,” he says. “There were so many people that instantly responded to me and were willing to help when I reached out to them. No matter how big or influential they were.”
In just four months, Martin’s students were able to make it to 42 out of 50 states. Though they weren’t able to make it to all 50 states, Martin says he’s happier that he was able to give his kids something to think about besides the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m happy that, for at least a little bit every day, my students had some relief and happiness, despite what’s going on in the world,” he says. “I loved having students and parents tell me about how much fun they were having. That’s all that matters.”