Preschooler Brendon Stone mimics his PE teacher Nikki Victorino Tuesday during a excercise learning class at The Goddard School in Elgin. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Physical Education teacher Nikki Victorino works with preschoolers Max Winterble and Cali Gambrel on jumping jacks Tuesday at The Goddard School in Elgin. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Physical Education teacher Nikki Victorino gives her students Nicole VonEyeser (from left) and Cali Gambrel a few hugs during class time as Ella Scherer waits her turn at The Goddard School in Elgin. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Physical education teacher Nikki Victorino teaches exercises to preschoolers Tuesday at The Goddard School in Elgin. The school is one of the first Goddard Schools in the nation to have a full-time physical education teacher. Victorino coached gymnastics one day per week at the school this summer, and she was surprised when some of the toddlers didn’t have basic gross motor skills. Teaching them the fundamentals in the weeks that followed, Victorino was so excited with their progress, she approached owner Sheryl Nelson about expanding the fitness offerings for the youngsters. Now, the school has a full time PE instructor, and a new program aims to instill fitness foundations early in life. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Physical Education teacher Nikki Victorino works on push-ups with preschoolers at The Goddard School in Elgin. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Physical education teacher Nikki Victorino works with preschoolers Audrey Travers and Jack Clark Tuesday at The Goddard School in Elgin. September 4, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media