Biographies

Melinda Bossenmeyer Melinda Bossenmeyer Biography

Andrea Bossenmeyer Andrea Bossenmeyer Biography

Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D

President and Founder
Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

“As a long-time teacher and principal, I can tell you first hand the number of injuries, violent outbursts and problem behavior that occur on a weekly basis in schoolyards. I’ve also seen how the lack of physical activity programs can contribute to childhood obesity. That is what led me to develop Peaceful Playgrounds.

In 1995, as Principal at E. Hale Curran Elementary School in Murrieta, California I put my first Peaceful Playgrounds program into practice. Teachers and monitors immediately saw the tenor of the playground change. Student involvement was overwhelming and the atmosphere changed from one of chaotic energy to calm focused cooperation. We saw a dramatic reduction in playground injuries and as activities spread out, with students making use of a larger play area, stress and conflict due to what was perceived as overcrowding declined.

By 1999, our school was honored with the State of California’s Golden Bell Award in the school-safety category. I was now committed to exposing more schools, teachers and children to the benefits of Peaceful Playgrounds.

I am proud to have written and published six books on playgrounds; numerous articles on recess, playgrounds and interactive play; as well as presenting over 100 educational conference sessions. I currently publish PLAY NICE a newsletter for 10,000 administrators and teachers across the nation and co-author the Recess blog. Recently, I served as a writer on the California Physical Education Framework for the Department of Education.

I am Nationally Certified as a Playground Inspector. I have served as a board member on the National Program for Playground Safety, been chair for the Council on Play for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and a member of State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell's California Task Force on Childhood Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

Today, Peaceful Playgrounds can be found in over 8000 schools with more than 4 million children exposed to the benefits of our program and games.

I had a simple goal that was to get more children involved in physical activity rather than waiting in line for their turn or just standing around talking. A child who burns off energy, not only reduced their risk for obesity, but they increase their focus on education when returning to class.”

Notables

Kinder Kids Mobile Gym Owner- 1600 students from 70 preschools in Orange and Riverside Counties participated in this motor skills program.

Publications

Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Blog – Daily with circulation of 10,000 readers

“Play Nice” Peaceful Playgrounds Newsletter – 10,000 readers monthly

California Physical Education Framework – Writing Committee

Elementary School Recess – Author of Chapter on School Play
Fundamental Movement Program – Children’s Motor Skill Development Author

We Count Wellness Program – Author Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

Exemplars for Elementary Physical Education – writing team member BTSA Statewide publication

Physical Education and Well Being – Co-Authored Training Module for District Level Administrators for Teaching Quality Physical Education. California School Leadership Academy

Arts in Education – Co-Authored Article (Goldberg & Bossenmeyer) for Principal Magazine

Peaceful Playgrounds – Front Row Experience, Byron, CA

Perceptual Motor Development Guide for Preschool- Grade 2 Teachers – Front Row Experience, Byron, CA

Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc. – Creator and CEO. Physical Activity and Conflict Resolution Program for elementary schools.

Public Speaking and Presentations

Lectures and presentations on Assessment, Developmentally Appropriate Instruction, Program Evaluation, Portfolios, Physical Education Standards, Physical Education Framework, Health, Playgrounds, Pedometers, Motor Learning, and Early Literacy throughout the nation including:

• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• Association of Staff and Curriculum Development
  
• Beyond School Hours
• California Middle Schools Conference
  
• American Alliance for Health
  
• Physical Education Recreation and Dance
  
• California School Leadership Academy
  
• California State PTA Conference
  
• California Association for the Education of Young Children
  
• Florida, New York, Illinois, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Utah State Physical Education Conferences
  
• Christian Schools of Orange County Annual Conference
  
• California State Kindergarten Conference
  
• Riverside County Office of Education
  
• Los Angeles County Office of Education
  
• Cal Poly State P.E. Workshop
  
• Various other national, state, district, and site level workshops
  
• International presentation in Heidelberg, Germany for the European Alliance Department of Defense Schools.
  

Andrea Bossenmeyer

Sales and Marketing Director
Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

“You might say I was born to do Peaceful Playgrounds, but that would only be half right. Obviously being raised by an educator and someone passionate about playground activities makes an impact. But my drive to bring our program to more schools and children grew out of my own experiences.

As a student athlete, I participated in many sports such as volleyball and basketball. When you love the activity you’re doing it is so much easier to participate. Unfortunately, injuries from Varsity athletics sidelined me and without the constant exercise it affected my condition both physically and emotionally. I saw that in other students who didn’t participate in regular activities at school.

After graduating college I worked within the entertainment industry and motion picture production. I again saw the same situations being portrayed on TV and in theatres in school dramas about obesity and bullying. I knew there was a solution and I would be drawn back to it.

As a child, I participated in the creation of Peaceful Playgrounds and Fundamental Movement. As games and programs were being developed, I was the test market. Unbeknownst to me, I was gaining an appreciation and understanding of a tool to help children and teachers get the most out of recess and physical activity.

I am proud to have been a part of this early development and look forward to continuing to grow and strengthen Peaceful Playgrounds. My background in production led to my role as Producer of the Peaceful Playgrounds Instructional Games DVD’s. I also oversee and produce the online learning courses including the creation of the video clips. My TV Film & New Media Degree allows me to contribute to product development within the company. As a writer and with my continuing education in alternative health and nutrition, I am better able to communicate articles relating to nutrition, health and childhood obesity for our blog and podcasts.

As of today, Peaceful Playgrounds can be found in over 8,000 schools and more than 4 million children have been exposed to the benefits of our program and games. My hope is to be in every school with every student reaping the benefits of our program.”

Professional Experience

GEREN FORD INC: Designers Assistant July 06–Nov. 06
Managed shipping and accounting for over 400 orders for nationwide boutiques. Organized shipping books, tracked orders, created invoices, followed up on payments. Received clothing and prepared it for shipping. Organized and systemized office.

VERONICA MARS (WB): Producers Assistant July 05-Dec. 05
Organized contacts, calendars, phones, secretarial duties. Coordinated actors' schedule for office. Assisted with actors' PR duties. Created and managed directors’ contracts on a weekly basis. Tech support for computer issues for producer. Worked on set in various depts.

ROUGE ARTISTS INC: Owner/Agents Assistant Aug. 04–June 05
Maintain and organize transfer of artists’ portfolios, research of directors, photographers, production companies etc; faxing, phones, filing and copying. Office organization of databases. Technical support for computers, printers, phones, etc.

ITV CHANNEL 16: Floor Manager and Camera Operator Nov. 02-Aug. 04
Live Shows: Mathvision, Board of Education Meetings, Academic Decathlon, Pre-Taped: Issues in Education, Sports All Star.

SEPTEMBER FILMS (TV): Production Assistant/Intern Summer 2003
PA for pre/post-production on Lifetime special. PA on set for shoot. Office PA for show research, licensing, music cue sheets, tape logs, coordination of contact lists.

COPPOS FILMS (Commercials): Production Assistant June 01- June 08
PA on set for Subway, California Lottery, Wrigley’s Gum, Southwestern Bell, Qwest commercials. Also responsible for picking up dailies, film and equipment returns, preparing Pre-production books, copying, faxing permits and other applicable paperwork.

Education

San Diego State University
Graduated Television, Film, and New Media Major 2004
Courses studied: Script Writing, Video (TV and Documentary) & Film Production: Short Films and Commercials, Film History & Sociology, Audio Production, History of Art.

Selected Community Activities

2008: Volunteer with Much Love Animal Rescue Los Angeles

Academic Films & Honors

Mentor for the San Diego State University Mentorship Program 2004-2006
Founder & President of SDSU Film Alumni Chapter 2004-2007

Conferences & Additional Professional Training

2007: 3rd Annual New Media Expo – Podcasting, Vodcasting & Blogging
2008: Outlook Workshop @ NAESP Conference
2008: Worked with Nationally renown Franchise Consultant: Linda Berniski
2009: QuickBooks Advanced Users Workshop
2009: Financial Statements - What They Mean, How to Use Them
2009: Voice-overs Workshop
2009: Professional Selling - Increase Your Business Sales Now!
2009: SCORE Workshop - Hiring and Managing Employees
2009: Conference - Fresh Fruit & Vegetables - A centerpiece for a healthy school environment
2009: Articulate Studio ’09