Barclay takes a very holistic approach to her training methods. photo by Ben Scherer
Barclay balances her Physical Education (PE) work at TJ with her own personal business on the side.
Marianna Barclay started her career at TJ as a Social Studies teacher in 2018, and just last school year, Barclay began teaching Physical Education (PE), including both Fitness and Team Life Activities. Barclay largely values exercise and health, so her position at TJ is exceptionally fitting. When describing why she chose her career, Barclay said, “I became a teacher because I wanted to make learning interesting. My goal as an educator is for students to find joy in learning. Now, as a physical education teacher, I want students to find joy in exercise!” Barclay prioritizes her time educating high school students on health and fitness, but she also has various other admirable hobbies.
Barclay is a certified personal trainer, and she owns a business by the name of Holistic Fitness. Her business’ work prioritizes inspiring others to embody the qualities of holistic wellness. This involves mindfulness practice, exercise, and nutrition. Barclay has clients outside of TJ, but she is also dedicated to helping other teachers here at the school. “As a personal trainer, my goal is to help others make fitness a lifestyle. Teaching is awesome; however, it can be a difficult job. Empowering educators to take care of their physical and mental health is important to me.” Barclay uses her National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification to help spread awareness about making healthy choices for the mind and body. Barclay hopes to inspire others to apply her techniques to their everyday lives.
Within her teaching job at TJ, Barclay encourages students to set goals in order to hold themselves accountable. In weightlifting classes, Barclay has all of the students set a personal goal that they will work toward achieving by the end of the year. She is hopeful that in reminding her students about their goals often, they will remain motivated. Barclay has also found that playing uplifting music can help students stay dedicated to their personal growth. In her Team Life Activities class, Barclay has discovered that she largely appreciates moments where she can see her students become more involved in the sports and exercise. “Seeing students play a game they have never played or thought would be boring and then witnessing them go all in and have fun makes my day,” she explained. Barclay values moments where she can see students enjoying themselves while also becoming more educated about physical health and fitness. Additionally, she is passionate about challenging her students in many different ways. This includes trying new weightlifting exercises or new games for students to play with one another. She hopes to involve students in friendly competition so that they can learn to love sports but also so they bond with each other while doing so. Both of the courses that Barclay teaches display her hard work and dedication, as she takes every opportunity to guide students to become physically and mentally nourished.
Aside from TJ and her personal business, Barclay is also captivated by many outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, trail running, and camping. She greatly enjoys any activity that is outdoors, and she loves to go on adventures. One thrilling experience that Barclay once had was backpacking for 28 miles in Aspen. She was shocked to come face to face with a mother moose at mile 23. She said that this moment was the most terrifying outdoor experience she has ever had, but probably the most memorable. Another unforgettable component of Barclay’s life was her role in a Color Guard band. Barclay participated in Color Guard for 20 years of her life, and the majority of her current friendships were formed because of this participation. Barclay has also found pleasure in going to live shows and experimenting with different foods. She has embodied embracing each and every moment that she experiences while encouraging her peers to do the same.
As Barclay prepares for her third year in Physical Education, she will continue to inspire students and teachers to prioritize fitness and wellness in their lives. Whether through team building in sports or achievement in personal goals, all of Barclay’s teaching techniques are meant to help students seek balance and healthy habits. Barclay values giving her students and clients a sense of balance between exercise, mindfulness, and personal well-being.
