February 2, 2026
Long Island Teacher Brings Movement and Learning to Life with The Walking Classroom
Learn how a special education teacher uses movement and audio learning to boost student engagement.
Special education teacher Tara O’Shea is using movement to make learning more dynamic in her classroom at William S. Covert Elementary School in South Hempstead, NY. With The Walking Classroom, students combine physical activity with audio learning, turning traditional lessons into adventures that spark confidence, curiosity, and fun.
Tara recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show alongside Kathy Higgins, CEO of Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to share how The Walking Classroom is helping students across the country stay active while learning.
Lessons That Go the Extra Mile
The Walking Classroom integrates movement into learning through short, standards-aligned podcast episodes in language arts, science, and social studies. Students in grades 3–8 listen to lessons while taking a 20-minute walk, returning to the classroom refreshed and ready to engage.
This approach has reshaped how Tara’s students connect with their lessons.
“It really strikes me how happy the kids are to be learning. The program allows students to engage in different ways, socially and intellectually,” she says. “It shows them that learning isn’t confined to the four walls of the classroom – it can happen anywhere.”
Students Take the Lead
The Walking Classroom fosters engagement and builds confidence by supporting diverse learning needs, including for gifted and neurodivergent students. As they listen and move, students naturally begin to take a more active role in their learning, exploring episodes that resonate with them and building momentum over time.
And with nearly 200 episodes to choose from, The Walking Classroom has something to fit any interest. “Some of my students were looking through the list of episodes, planning which ones to listen to next,” Tara says. “It was exciting to see them take initiative and ownership of their learning.”
Powering Classrooms Through Partnership
Support from partners like On, a leading innovator in performance athletic wear, has been instrumental in expanding access to The Walking Classroom. In 2024, Tara received a donated classroom set through support from On, which recognizes the power of combining learning with physical activity.
“The opportunity to support a program that uses movement within the curriculum is something we see as incredibly impactful,” says Jordan Farwell, senior lead, global social impact at On. “Seeing this program in person, in action, makes a huge difference. It builds trust, context, and humanizes the impact.”
Igniting Curiosity Through Movement
Beyond structured lessons, The Walking Classroom inspires students to explore their interests and even try creating their own podcasts. By combining movement, autonomy, and interactive learning, Tara demonstrates how flexible teaching methods can help all students thrive.
“The Walking Classroom levels the playing field because every kid is accessing the same lesson through their earbuds,” Tara says. “It gives students the chance to learn at their own pace – and the space to really thrive.”
Discover the Power of Learning in Motion
Explore The Walking Classroom and bring curiosity-driven, interactive lessons to students in your school and across the country.
-By Nicole Blanton, Manager of Culturally Responsive Communications at Healthier Generation