Meet the Champions

The Daily Mile Champions are superheroes responsible for helping to spread the word about The Daily Mile and its benefits for children, teachers, schools, families, and the community. Contact The Daily Mile today to see how you can join the movement to keep kids healthy and become part of this amazing team!

Read On.
Meet the Champions

Hon. Rob Wilkins

SUPERPOWER

United States Air Force retiree, member of PCSFN

CITY

Leesburg

STATE

VA

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a member of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN). Mr. Wilkins is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant and a fitness expert. A native of Linden, New Jersey, he advocates for military veterans by serving as the President of Rolling Thunder Washington, DC. Additionally, Mr. Wilkins serves on the Board of Directors for the Transcend Foundation focusing on assisting military families in need of financial assistance. He volunteers time to organizations that promote physical activity, especially to youth. Willing to work where the need is greatest (including under-resourced and rural schools), Mr. Wilkins is happy to help change lives.

Mary Thomas

Mary Thomas

SUPERPOWER

2nd Grade Teacher

CITY

Gainesville

STATE

FL

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

Mary Thomas is a 2nd-grade teacher at Caring and Sharing Learning School in Gainesville, FL. She has enjoyed bringing The Daily Mile to her school and participating with her students.

"It has been a joy exercising with the students and getting time to hear their stories while we spend time together outside the classroom," Mary said. "I think it is important for children to experience regular physical activity like The Daily Mile in order to be healthy and form the habit of enjoying lifelong exercise and healthy choices. I also think it's important for students to enjoy exercise and create a social occasion where students can interact in positive ways with each other and their teachers."

The physical and emotional benefits of The Daily Mile parallel that of Mary's other passions in life. She enjoys yoga, martial arts, and lifting weights to stay active. She also loves spending quality time with her family to connect and positive relationships.

The Daily Mile takes kids outdoors, which Mary is all about! Mary's hobbies include ecological construction, organic farming, and permaculture.

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Mark S. Torrie

SUPERPOWER

Continuous improvement of Health and Wellness

CITY

Harrington Park

STATE

NJ

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

Mark S. Torrie is a veteran PreK-8 physical and health education teacher at Harrington Park School in Bergen County. He is also an immigrant, fitness fanatic, health & wellness coach, and high school soccer coach.

Mark has led school change in student wellness, aiming to improve student social and emotional through The Daily Mile. He is a champion of self-motivation, forward-thinking, and student-centered education.


Jack Curran

Jack Curran

SUPERPOWER

Making connections, building relationships

CITY

Galveston

STATE

TX

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

Jack is a PE coach and a Middle School Football and Basketball Coach. He loves being physically active and motivating students to embrace fitness. Physical Fitness is very important as it enriches a student's mental and emotional health. Another important part of his job is making connections with his students. He attends their youth sports games on the weekends and encouraging some to participate in physical activity outside of PE. Jack's goal is to make a connection with all his students. Building relationships with them, letting them know he is here for them is what keeps them motivated and engaged.

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Gabriela Castillo

SUPERPOWER

1st Grade Teacher

CITY

Warrenville

STATE

IL

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

Gabriela is a first-grade teacher with a passion for helping students grow academically and socially. She also ensures her students have a sense of belonging in their school community. Gabriela has been teaching at the elementary level for more than 20 years. She is married with two young adult children. She recently started exercising to improve her overall health. Gabriela found that exercise has many benefits, but the most profound is mental health. Walking and running are a way to relieve stress, stay active, meet other people, and set/achieve goals. She wants to help her students to discover a passion for something.

MeMe Ratliff

MeMe Ratliff

SUPERPOWER

Connecting educators to one another and resources

CITY

Louisville

STATE

KY

SUPERPOWER SUMMARY

MeMe Ratliff is the health & physical education (HPE) instructional lead for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). She has twenty years of experience in elementary physical education as well as three years as the teacher engagement specialist for her district before taking over as the HPE lead in fall 2019. She strives to create multiple pathways for members of the JCPSHPE family to grow their practice, develop leadership skills, share resources, and create stronger instruction.

A former member of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory Council and a Hope Street Teacher Fellow, MeMe embraces the power of connections and collaboration to strengthen the profession. An early adopter of social media for pedagogy, she believes that a professional learning network that inspires and pushes one to continually grow is as important as the professional learning community in a school or district.