Robyn Newton, a physical education teacher at Vergennes Union Elementary School, has been awarded Vermont’s Teacher of the Year award.
Newton, who has taught at Vergennes Union Elementary for 27 years, was recognized for her work leading an interdisciplinary unit on the Olympics and securing federal grant money for playground and recreation equipment, according to a Thursday press release.
“From using the Olympics to teach students about sportsmanship, competition, world affairs and intercultural competency, to her efforts to bring more funding to physical education and nutrition programs in her district,” Vermont Secretary of Education Dan French said in the press release, “Ms. Newton excels in teaching, shows leadership through an interdisciplinary and collaborative mindset, and, most importantly, she builds excitement for learning in and out of the classroom.”
Newton’s unit on the Olympics incorporates all the school’s grades and subjects: each class chooses a different country to represent, and students compete in events based on Olympic sports.
“This unit embodies how and why I teach: to create enjoyable experiences that develop new skills, build confidence and promote healthy movement and joy,” Newton wrote in her application for the award.
She also wrote a successful application for over $900,000 in federal grant money to build ropes courses and acquire fitness equipment for the district.
Newton will begin her tenure as the Vermont teacher of the year starting January 1, 2023, during which she “will focus on the importance of physical activity, fitness, and play, both to student’s learning and academic achievement, and to their social-emotional well-being,” according to the press release.
— Peter D’Auria