R4F Teacher Spotlight - John Glodek, SHAPE Maryland MS Physical Educator of the Year!
It takes a special person to simply want to start the Riding for Focus (R4F) program at their school, and it takes a SUPER special person to be able to use that program to lead thousands of students over many years and let the program transform lives and impact a community. Meet John Glodek, the SHAPE Maryland Middle School Physical Educator of the Year, a celebrated teacher whose dedication to movement and wellness through cycling is changing lives.
For 23 years, John has been teaching P.E. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (MLK) in Germantown, Maryland, supporting generations of students with physical education and wellness. But in 2018, he brought bikes into his classroom. Through Outride’s R4F program, John started a daily cycling class that students can’t wait to join. It’s a class that boosts confidence, builds community, and brings kids outdoors to experience the world beyond the whiteboard.
As an avid cyclist, John recognized that bikes offered more than exercise. They offered freedom, exploration, and a new way to learn. He applied for the R4F grant because he believed cycling could become a powerful tool for students’ well‑being - a way to move, grow, and connect.
“I wanted my students to have the opportunity to experience the power of biking and how it could have a positive impact on their lives…just like it has had on my own!” - John Glodek
Beyond R4F: John’s broader partnership with Outride
John’s involvement with Outride goes far beyond his own school’s classrooms. Over the years, he has represented Outride at regional events, shared his experiences with other educators, and helped inspire broader adoption of cycling in schools. Check out some of the ways John has gone above and beyond to partner with Outride:
Sep 2018 - R4F implemented at MLK Middle School begins
July 2019 - John helps train new Outride Teachers in Morgan Hill and presents at the Outride Research Summit at Stanford University.
April 2020, USA Cycling “In Our Own Words” Article, April 2020
July 2023, Camp Outride Champion Trainer
October 2023, Bicycling Magazine Interview “A New Study Shows When Kids Ride Bikes Together, Something Incredible Happens” by Micah Ling
March 2024, SHAPE America 2024 National Convention Presenter “Riders Ready: Bringing a Bicycling Education Program to Your School”
March 2024, Keynote Speaker, The Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League’s Coaches Summit
Nov 2024 - John joins Outride at the NICA Eastern Regional Festival as a veteran R4F instructor.
April 2025, SHAPE America 2025 National Convention Presenter “Bicycling in PE: Yes, It Can Be Done... Yes, You Can Do It!”
April 2025 - John and ultracyclist Jack Thompson lead the Outride Rally with the Outride team
June 2025 - MLK becomes the celebration site of the proclamation of World Bicycle Day in Maryland
Nov 2025 - Named Middle School Physical Educator of the Year by SHAPE Maryland for his work with R4F.
Student Impact: Transforming lives and sparking new passions
Since 2018, John estimates he has taught R4F to over 1,600 students. Many of these students had never ridden a bike before. For some, this class unlocks new confidence, new friendships, and new possibilities. The program does more than teach balance and bike handling. It builds community, fosters social and emotional growth, and helps students see their world differently.
Whether his students have gone on to race, like this one, have begun using the bike to commute, or simply enjoy cycling because of his R4F program, John always encourages his students to reflect on what they Outride. Check out this video of his class in fall 2025, sharing how they use the bike to work through challenges, stress, and more.
Celebrating John — and all Riding for Focus teachers!
Looking forward, John hopes to grow the R4F program at his school, reach more students, especially those who’ve never ridden before, and deepen its impact on their wellbeing. He envisions more frequent rides, more community biking events, and expanded pathways for students to continue cycling beyond middle school. And we know John will make it happen!
Join us in celebrating John Glodek! We thank you for believing in the power of the bicycle, for going above and beyond as a teacher, for transforming his PE classes into life‑changing experiences, We also honor and thank all Riding for Focus teachers across the country, who add this crucial work to their plates, week after week, for their students and communities.
Your work matters. We see you. And we celebrate you!
If you’re reading this and wondering whether your school could bring Riding for Focus to life, consider applying today! Applications for Riding for Focus are open now through February 28, 2026! Join the 400+ sites throughout the US and Canada who are using the bike to support youth’s social, emotional, and cognitive health in the classroom.
You can check out John’s program on the MLK PE Instagram account. Want to see more teachers shine? Check out Outride’s Instagram to see more programs in action!