“Fitness is something that allows people to take ownership of their own body and preserve their own space,” new P.E. teacher, Kara Wanderlich Turpin, said. “I just want to be able to help inspire kids and adults to keep that kind of healthy mindset.”

Turpin, a current Shred415 instructor and former teacher at the Walt Disney Magnet School, has taken the place of Chris Griffiths, who retired last year.

Born in 1984 in a of Chicago, Turpin graduated from Lincoln-Way East High School then went to DePaul University where she studied physical education and minored in Community Service Studies. Soon after, in 2007, Turpin came to Parker for student teaching by Physical Education Chair Jan Zoufal.

For the past decade, Turpin has been teaching group exercise classes at DePaul’s Fitness and Recreation Center, starting her own a fitness studio called “Power Sculpt Fitness,” and teaching at “Shred415,” an instructor-led, calorie-burning, interval training class designed to target a wide range of clients.

Turpin has always enjoyed training and physical education. “I’ve always been very interested in sports, and I think that fitness is the foundation for athletic performance,” Turpin said. “Additionally, I hope to instill a love for leading a healthy lifestyle.”

Before her parents decided to move from the city to the suburbs, they had looked into enrolling Turpin at Parker, so she’s always been aware of the school. When she was looking into new schools and she saw an open position at Parker, Turpin decided to apply for the job.

“P.E. teachers should have a good knowledge base about what’s involved with teaching motor skills,the physiology of exercise, basic anatomy,” P.E. teacher Patrick McHale said, “and they also have to be really good communicators with experience under their belt.” While interviewing and evaluating Turpin, McHale, as well as other faculty and staff, thought she fit every qualification.

Parker students who have taken a “Shred415” class say that it is very challenging, compared to Parker fitness class. Turpin said, “My intensity at Shred is much more so than it is at Parker.” However, in terms of how she structures the class, Turpin said that there are many similarities. Just as at Shred, where she alternates between the treadmill and the floor, Turpin has her students sprint for a quarter mile then go into strength exercises.

While she hasn’t been here for long, she has enjoyed it so far. “Everyone has been so welcoming and inclusive,” she said. “The faculty and staff have been really wonderful with helping me to get to know the building and the students are very responsible, attentive, and respectful.”

Freshman Anna Amacher, a student in one of Turpin’s classes, returned the compliments. “She’s actually fairly intense,” Amacher said, “and we’re definitely working hard and sweating a ton, yet she also brings a lot of positive energy that motivates you.”

McHale raises a concern about what Turpin can expect in her class.

“The only problem she’ll have is the push-back,” McHale said. “Most teachers aren’t used to the fact that Parker students have the freedom to provide pretty direct feedback, and it can be construed as, ‘These students don’t want to work hard,’ which sometimes is the case.”