This applied dissertation was designed to improve the fitness levels of future physical education and wellness teachers and to positively affect their perceptions of the importance of being role models for their students. This research addressed the important function of future physical education and wellness teachers as role models because they have the opportunity to have a positive effect on the fitness levels of their students. The need for these future teachers to model and promote healthy lifestyles was also stressed. Prior to the implementation of the intervention, the researcher evaluated the fitness levels of future physical education and wellness teachers by measuring each of them using the 5 components of physical fitness. Students were also given a Likert-scale questionnaire that assessed their attitudes toward their responsibility as role models to their students, and their attitudes toward being physically fit. The researcher implemented a program to improve the fitness level of future physical education and wellness teachers to determine its effectiveness. Twice weekly the future physical education and wellness teachers were made aware of the importance of teachers as role models through lecture, discussion, and the reading of current literature. They followed an exercise and wellness program that specifically targeted the 5 components of physical fitness. The design used for this study was a pretest-intervention-posttest one using a mixed methods approach. Outcome measures were assessed by comparison of pre- and posttest fitness levels and pre-and postintervention questionnaire results. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by comparing mean change in physical fitness levels and self-perceptions as role models of prospective teachers prior to and after the intervention. Participants showed positive change in all fitness tests and attitude questionnaire. The changes in 2 of the 5 fitness tests were statistically significant (p < .05). Changes in 8 of the 16 attitude questions were also statistically significant (p < .05 and p < .01). Qualitative analysis of interview results showed positive responses for all questions. The findings in this study support the importance of and the need for further research in this area. Keyword(s): college level issues, curriculum, professional preparation