By De Burgos Healthy Super Tiger reporters | Loving sports and wanting students to maintain a healthy lifestyle are reasons why Ms. Bertolino became a health and physical education teacher. “I grew up enjoying sports, games, and fitness. I wanted to stay connected with that type of lifestyle,” she said.
Healthy Super Tiger reporters interviewed Ms.Bertolino about the benefits of group activities.
Group activities can include sports or material art classes that are good for your physical health, according to ScienceDaily, a website featuring health and science news. These options “offer an opportunity to socialize with other kids and get to know people in a fun environment,” says the Mayo Clinic, a hospital and research institution Research has also shown that group activities can be fun and good for your health, says ScienceDaily.
Below is the Q&A with Ms. Bertolino. Her answers have been lightly edited.
Q: Tell us about your role at the school.
Ms. Bertolino: I am a health and physical education teacher at Julia de Burgos. I teach physical skills, promote physical fitness and health to the students. I also plan and lead activities. I work to build teamwork and sportsmanship with each other.
Q: What group activities are good for physical health?
Ms. Bertolino: Group activities that improve student health usually focus on movement, teamwork, and fun participation. These activities build physical fitness, social skills, and confidence.
Q: What group activities help mental health?
Ms. Bertolino: Activities that support mental health help reduce stress, improve mood, and build positive social connections. For example, walking or jogging, yoga, team sports, and dance.
Q: What are your favorite activities with students?
Ms. Bertolino: My favorite activities tend to be ones that keep students moving, are easy to organize, and are fun for large groups. Some of the activities would be games like capture the flag, relay races, kickball, and tag variations.
Q: Please share your advice for kids who are nervous about doing a group activity?
Ms. Bertolino: A nervous student in a group activity mainly needs reassurance, simple structure, and small, achievable steps. I would start with a simple role by giving the student small responsibilities like helping with the equipment. Small responsibilities help build confidence fast. I would also tell them that I focus on effort, not perfection.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
Ms. Bertolino: I became a physical education teacher because I grew up enjoying sports, games, and fitness. I wanted to stay connected with that type of lifestyle. I also had a desire to help students stay healthy.
Illustration by Lucia, 4th grade, Henry, 2025-26.
