Kaleigh Dale is pictured in her office at Mount Union Area School District, where she teaches health and physical education.
By SYDNEE HARRIS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — This month’s Staff Spotlight highlights Mrs. Kaleigh Dale for the the hard work and dedication that she brings to the Mount Union Area School District each day.
At MUASD, Mrs. Dale’s day rarely slows down. From early morning dual-enrollment instruction to afternoon physical education classes and after-school virtual check-ins, her schedule reflects a commitment to meeting students wherever they are, both in person and online.
Each morning begins in the senior high building, where she teaches a dual-enrolled health course through Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. After finishing that class, she transitions to the junior high schedule, spending most of the day teaching girls’ physical education. Her afternoon concludes back in the health classroom with ninth-grade general health students.
Although her day consists primarily of in-person classes, her responsibilities extend beyond the classroom. Mrs. Dale also supports MUASD’s Virtual Academy students by grading assignments and assisting those enrolled in online health and physical education courses. It is common to see students sitting in the gym with laptops, stopping in for help with quizzes, tests, or assignments. Even after the final bell rings, she continues checking in with virtual students, updating grades, and ensuring everyone remains on track. “Each day is busy, student-centered, and filled with constant opportunities to guide learning,” she explained.
Mrs. Dale’s path to education was anything but traditional. Fascinated by the human body and how it works, she majored in Exercise and Sport Science with a focus on health promotion and biomechanics. She began her professional career in collegiate strength and conditioning, designing and implementing training programs for multiple sports. She also assisted with football performance development under a head strength coach.
Later, she transitioned into collegiate soccer coaching, spending five years at Juniata College. There, she combined her knowledge of performance training with daily instruction and team development. Ultimately, she realized that what she loved most was teaching.
In 2018, Mrs. Dale applied for a health and physical education position at MUASD. Because her undergraduate degree was not in education, she enrolled in a teacher preparation program to earn her certification. She completed additional coursework, passed two Praxis exams, and fulfilled a student teaching requirement. During the 2018–2019 school year, she worked under an intern teaching certificate while balancing classroom responsibilities with certification requirements. After meeting all state guidelines, she earned her full Pennsylvania teaching certificate through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Her career expanded again in the spring of 2022 when she was invited to teach a Pennsylvania Highlands dual-enrollment course. In order to qualify for this position, instructors must hold a master’s degree in their discipline and be certified in the content area. Since Mrs. Dale met both requirements, she applied and was approved. Her first group of dual-enrollment students, who are now seniors, helped shape the course through feedback, collaboration, and strengthening the curriculum for future classes.
While Mrs. Dale’s days are rewarding, they are not without challenges. Teaching middle school requires patience, flexibility, and creativity. Students at that age are navigating emotional, physical, and social changes while often testing boundaries. Managing multiple classes of 25 students, especially in a physical education setting, can be demanding.
Despite those challenges, the best part of her day centers on growth and relationships. Because she teaches multiple grade levels, Mrs. Dale often works with students over several years, watching them mature and gain confidence. “Seeing the growth between sixth and ninth grade is always rewarding,” she shared.
Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing students discover who they are during critical developmental years. Whether it is a student trying a new skill in gym class or engaging in meaningful health discussions, she strives to create a supportive space where students feel capable and confident. Building trust remains one of her top priorities, and she values staying connected with former students long after they leave the district.
For new teachers entering the profession, Mrs. Dale’s advice is simple yet powerful: give yourself grace. “You will not get everything right – and you’re not supposed to,” she said. Teaching, she believes, is built on reflection, growth, and resilience. Lessons will sometimes fall flat, class energy will shift, and difficult conversations may arise. What matters most is showing up the next day ready to improve.
In a profession that demands both structure and adaptability, Mrs. Dale continues to lead with consistency, fairness, and compassion. By combining her passion for movement with her dedication to education, she has built a career centered on helping students become healthier, more confident versions of themselves—one class period at a time.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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