BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The First Tee will be providing an in-person professional development training for physical education teachers from all 28 elementary Birmingham City Schools on Friday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex (2337 Bessemer Road, Birmingham, Ala. 35208).
The elementary schools will implement The First Tee National School Program in association with Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, through an extension of the Southern Company’s longstanding relationship with the PGA Tour. Southern Company is The First Tee’s Education Patron.
“Birmingham City Schools is so pleased to be partnering with The First Tee and Alabama Power for the benefit of students at our elementary schools,” said Craig Witherspoon, Birmingham City Schools’ superintendent. “We have a strong and long-standing partnership with Alabama Power, particularly in the area of character development. The First Tee program not only provides us an opportunity to build on the work we’ve started, it provides a unique learning opportunity in a sport that many of our children are not traditionally exposed to.”
The First Tee National School Program provides character education and health lessons along with basic golf instruction.
The character education lessons taught through The First Tee National School Program – honesty, judgment, respect, and responsibility – are consistent with the principles that guide the employees of Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company. Alabama Power’s and Southern Company’s customer-focused business model is guided by Southern Style – the company’s value proposition that includes unquestionable trust, superior performance and total commitment.
Nationwide, almost 6,000 schools in 800 school districts have signed on to deliver The First Tee National School Program, which helps students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. Students engage in safe, fun lesson activities that lead to motor skill development while gaining an introduction to a lifelong recreation and health-enhancing activity.
Alabama Power has long supported education initiatives leading to a better-trained, highly motivated workforce, which helps ensure a sound economic future for Alabama. “Golf is a wonderful sport, but that’s not the important part for The First Tee,” said Bobbie Knight, vice president for Alabama Power’s Birmingham Division. “It’s the fact that so many students get introduced to fundamental character principles that makes it worthwhile, and we’re so happy we can play a part in that.”
For more information about The First Tee National School Program, please visit www.thefirsttee.org/nsp<http://www.thefirsttee.org/nsp>.
