Wiscasset Middle School’s new physical education teacher Daniela Marino wants to motivate her students to learn ways they can be physically active their whole lives.

That’s how it was for her and her siblings growing up. The Manchester, Vermont native always played outside unless it was raining. And her family went hiking and other trips centered on the outdoors.

But that’s becoming less and less of a typical childhood, with cell phones and other technology such a part of daily life, said Marino, 26.

“It’s a different world,” she said. So the earlier that students understand the importance of physical activity, the better.

“I think it’s really important to embed that in their minds at this age, to be conscientious of their bodies, because if they don’t get it now then it’s not necessarily gong to be something they’ll be aware of down the road,” she said.

Marino graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 2011 with a bachelor’s in kinesthesiology and physical education.

Her work for the past school year as an educational technician in special education at Bonney Eagle Middle School in Buxton, working with small numbers of students at a time, helped prepare her for teaching whole classes as large as 25 students in her Wiscasset job, she said. The same principal applies: Keep everyone engaged throughout the class time, she said.

That means looking at students’ individual interests, needs and skill levels, she said.

Marino’s first school year in Wiscasset is off to a good start.

“I absolutely love it. It’s been really fun getting to know the kids and their personalities.”

Marino played high school soccer and basketball, then intramural basketball at UMaine. She now serves as the middle school’s girls soccer coach. When she’s not working, she might be hiking, snowboarding, or keeping up with her reading for the book club she has joined.

Marino, of Portland, said she doesn’t mind the commute to work in Wiscasset.

“I just wish the price of gas would go down.”