November Mom of the Month!

Our Mom of the Month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our November Mom of the Month is Devon Barker, (Coco's mom)! Congratulations Devon!

Devon is one of our "founding moms" and has been with us since the very first class. She brings a great attitude, friendly smile, and determination to every class, and we are excited to announce that Devon will continue to bring those great qualities to class as an Instructor in 2011! Devon will be attending "Stroller Strides Academy" this January and help us out with some teaching next year when we need it, as well as continue to attend Stroller Strides as an active member with all of you. Join us in wishing her congrats and check out her answers below to get to know Devon a little bit better. ;)

Hometown: Allentown, PA
Currently live in: Cary
Education: I went to Undergrad at the University of Michigan, and later got my master's from Lehigh University.
Stroller Strides member since: The beginning!
Members of your family: Husband, Jason; daughter, Coco; two dogs, Hannah & Eli; one cat, Oscar
Tell us about your child: Coco is my super-funny, high-spirited, incredibly smart daughter. :) She loves to eat, like her Mama, play with Wilhelm her favorite stuffed toy, and explore the yard. She loves to be outside, play with her two big dogs, and take rides in her pink convertible or wagon.
Current/previous career: Most recently I was a fifth grade teacher. I also worked for Americorps after college, an African Safari company after that, and then in special education during grad school.
What was your childhood ambition? To be the next Jane Pauley and to travel around the world for my job.
What does motherhood mean to you? Everything! It has changed my life for the better in so many ways. It means love and joy and tons of fun!
What is the furthest you have been from home? I traveled to Antarctica when I was young.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? It has helped me meet other moms and kids, which we struggled to do before SS. Working out has also helped me feel better about my post-baby body, as well as sleep a bit better.
What is your favorite exercise? At SS I like to run and do squats. Outside of SS I like to hike, swim, take walks, etc.
What is your proudest moment? Working with a mentally retarded man named Ryan during grad school and seeing his amazing progress with everyday tasks.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Good food, reading, traveling.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. This is hard. Not very interesting, but I didn't watch TV or most movies as a child, so I always feel left out when people talk about the "classics" because it's likely I never saw them! I am the WORST when it comes to '80's TV and movie trivia.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I cheated and asked him because I had no idea what to write. He said that I'm stubborn, but in a good way. I won't give up on something until I get it. I don't strive to be like others. I am on top of things.

And one more congrats to Devon on running the Monster Dash 5k on Halloween, with a great race time, thanks to her Stroller Strides workouts! Can't wait to see what this fit mama has in store for us once she is a trained instructor ;).