Not only does he teach classes all day at West Lake Elementary, he hosts a jump rope club and open gym before school - and tennis club after school.

Now in his 27th year of teaching in Wake County, Clark not only preaches an active lifestyle, he sets the example.

His belief in offering many options for students to keep moving was a big reason why West Lake won the 2011 Silver Award in the Advocates for Health in Action Brains and Bodies Award.

The award honors schools for innovations in health initiatives that affect students, staff and families.

Clark's P.E. program along with West Lake's active wellness committee impressed the judges.

Q: You teach P.E. all day but also offer before- and after-school programs for students. Why do you do it?

A: There are so many studies that show that kids today are more obese and sedentary than ever before. So the more opportunities we give them, the more able we are to keep them active.

Q: What is the tennis program you offer after school hours?

A: The Tennis Academy has been very popular.

Students make a year-long commitment to attending every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, and it's completely free.

I have played tennis all my life, and I hope that my students who start early will be able to enjoy it as a lifetime sport.

Q: What are some of the other programs you're proud of?

A: Our school has done the Jump Rope Club for the past 17 years.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, kids can do freestyle jump rope and learn skills like double-Dutch and partner jumping.

We give away a jump rope and hula hoop to the winning person in our jump rope and hula hoop contest - that's 60 jump ropes and 60 hula hoops a year.

We have open gym every Monday and Wednesday morning.

Every Friday, we have the Wallaby Walk, where the whole school can do a fun run around the track.

Q: How do you teach students about healthy living choices when they are in class?

A: I'm extremely playful - maybe even too much. But I'm deadly serious about heart disease.

We may talk about cookies and say, "How many minutes or hours of activity would it take to burn these cookies off?"

I try to keep it light, because I want to keep their attention.

But I put things in terms they can understand.

Q: Do you have any advice for parents about keeping their kids active?

A: I would say you have to have priorities.

Unfortunately, priorities have really shifted in the past few years.

Parents may have had to say, "Will we be able to pay the mortgage or not?"

I realize families have had to make some tough choices.

In the past, I would have said to try to be a good role model - go biking or running or play tennis together.

But I know it may be harder to get out together now. There are so many pressures.

I would tell parents to allow students to participate in sports and do a little bit of everything.