Nashville, TN — When you have a passion for teaching and learning, you need a lot of energy to stand the test of time. Just ask Mary Ann Pangle, a familiar learning icon for most of her 81 years. Many Nashville grandparents, parents, and children (now grown) have fond memories of Ms. Pangle as they reminisce about their school days, golden rule days under her wise and strong wing. If you have an affinity with The University School, George Peabody College for Teachers or more recently, Tennessee State University, you have likely heard of or seen Mary Ann Pangle in action teaching and learning.

What keeps whirlwind Mary Ann going at full speed from year to year? Actually, decade to decade is more like it! In a word, EXERCISE.

For Mary Ann Pangle, exercise is not something to talk about or tell others to do. She just does it. Each afternoon finds her at her exercise home, the Vanderbilt Dayani Center, the first Medical Fitness Association (MFA) Certified Medical Fitness Center in the state of Tennessee. She briskly walks from door to locker room, greeting her exercise friends along the way with a smile and encouraging words. Then her tried and true movement activity routine begins in earnest – walking the track, stretching and toning mat work, some time on the machines and her classes of choice, yoga and pilates.

She loves everything about this part of her life. “Keeps me going,” says. And she has no plans to stop. Her fitness is key to doing what she likes to do best – teaching and learning. With so many students, past, present and future relying on her continued support to go above and beyond so they can be all they can be, she will be opening the fitness facility door again and again. There is a lot riding on her fitness.

James Pardue, a recent graduate of TSU’s doctoral program in the College of Education’s Department of Teaching and Learning students, said it simply, “Dr. Mary Ann Pangle went the extra mile to assist me.”

Mary Ann Pangle knows and shows that going the extra mile must start with the first step, and then the next, and the next. And speaking of going the extra mile, ask her about her summers teaching overseas. Tunis, Tunisia and Tianjin, China learners enjoyed her unique teaching style in past years – who knows where she will see fit to go next.

Mary Ann exemplifies fitness for life as she teaches and learns more each and every day – proving this lesson stands the test of time.

Do you have an exercise story you would like to see featured in a future article? E-mail barbatson@earthlink.net or phone 615-789-6608.