Danielle LeNoir’s shared fitness office is covered with welcome notes, Uno cards, snacks, lesson plans and surveys — but most of her time is spent on the Sport Court.

First-time teacher LeNoir said she came to Archer with one goal in mind: to open the minds of students through fitness.

“My purpose here, I think, first and foremost is to educate young girls and contribute to [students] continuing to have an open mind about how you see the world in all different aspects,” LeNoir said.

Fifi Berman ‘21, LeNoir’s student, said that she makes an effort to create a welcoming environment in fitness and wellness and caters her lesson plans to the students’ needs.

“She is one of us in a way,” Berman said. “She really understands what we are going through.”

LeNoir went to Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California.

“[In high school], I do not think we were as challenged as you guys are to open up our minds and have this growth mindset,” LeNoir said.

Although LeNoir’s high school experience was different than Archer, her students say she relates to them by fostering an understanding and connection to their interests.

LeNoir’s childhood revolved around basketball. In high school she practiced every day, including the weekends, then went on to play Division I basketball at Washington State University.

“Having to balance academics at a high level and play sports at a high level — it was hard,” LeNoir said. “It took up all my time. It taught me lot about time management.”

After playing basketball at Washington State, she transferred to Loyola Marymount University.

“I knew that I would have a better experience with my college basketball career closer to home with the support of my family,” LeNoir said.

Right out of college, LeNoir found a job with a marketing company.

“I was good at it so I ended up doing it for three years, but it was not my true passion,” LeNoir said.

She now works in Archer’s fitness department as a teaching fellow.

“I always wanted to be in fitness,” LeNoir said. “As soon as I stopped playing, I started coaching.”

Stephanie Ferri, interim fitness department chair, said LeNoir’s background in hot yoga will be a new edition to the department. Archer already offered yoga, but she offers a new style. LeNoir says that the plan is to offer classes for students in fitness as well as for teachers after school to help them destress.

“Meditation and mindfulness is really good for helping the girls to open up, share and learn to basically just be great people,” Ferri said.

LeNoir’s students have acknowledged this new teaching method of creating lesson plans according to their interests. Her freshman students enjoy the new experiences they are getting in their fitness class.

“She is the type of teacher that really builds connections with students and is really good with them,” Berman said. “ She makes me enjoy going to fitness and working out.”