Acrobat gets kids' interest, hands down

As she cartwheeled across the floor, slid into splits and balanced effortlessly on her hands, Lisa Appel amazed the children of Bayard Taylor Elementary School.

And she did it all while reading a book.

"It's not just entertainment, it's educational entertainment," said Appel, 36, the founder of Smart Fitness, which combines her acrobatic training with her background as a former Philly schoolteacher to encourage youngsters to hit the books.

That means her program involves lots of audience participation.

Jumping at any chance to take part, the kindergarteners and first-graders ran around the auditorium yesterday to become "word detectives" by finding words written around the room, practiced spinning plates and juggled scarves.

"I've never seen the children so engaged, so excited," said Debra Drossner, principal of Bayard Taylor Elementary in North Philly.

After earning an education degree from Drexel University, Appel spent seven years as a teacher. But she had always had an interest in dance and had been trained in acrobatics so she left to form her company, Miss Lisa Inc.

"What's really special is that it's a customized program," said Appel.

Before performing, Appel asks schools about their programs and goals. Drossner asked her to focus on encouraging reading for yesterday's act, but Appel can incorporate her tumbling into science, math and social studies lessons as well.

Appel's program performs double-duty by also promoting physical fitness.

"You're fitting right into our initiative of trying to be a healthy school," Drossner told Appel.

Appel recognizes that schools are suffering from budget cuts and funding shortages, yet she does not see this as an obstacle for Smart Fitness.

She charges schools anywhere from $50 for a quick lesson to $500 for a deluxe program.

"It's really economical for every [school] budget," she said.