Congratulations to Ms. Martha! Ms. Martha James Congratulations are in order for Martha James, our Creative Movement teacher since we first opened in 1999. She was honored as the recipient of the 2007 Social Justice and Diversity K-12 Teaching Award.  The prestigious national honor, presented by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), recognizes Ms. Martha as a leader in teaching ethnic minority students. James, who has taught for 14 years (the last eight at Crossroads), received multiple nominations from colleagues, community members, parents and students.  She was credited for her creative pre-kindergarten through sixth grade physical education class and special projects to facilitate children learning about social justice issues.  Her creative teaching style uses physical movement to help students learn about racism, global human rights and bullying. James, who is pursuing her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Critical Pedagogy, planned, organized and implemented the "Human Rights through the Arts Camp," a program that opens children to learn about human rights.  In 2006 she was awarded Education Minnesota's Human Rights Award; she also organized a workshop about using dance to teach peace skills at the International Institute for Peace Education in Rhodes, Greece. The AAHPERD, with more than 25,000 members, is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.  The national organization, dating back to 1885, provides resources, support and programs to help practitioners improve their skills and so further the health and well being of the American public. Congratulations to Ms. Martha! We are proud of you and your accomplishments.