Robin Newton Focuses Students on Lifelong Fitness, Joy and Learning

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Education today named Robin Newton, PE teacher at Bergens Union Elementary School, the 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Newton will begin his term as Vermont Teacher of the Year on January 1, 2023.

Abby Bowker, Visual Arts Teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School, 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year Outstanding Finalist; Amy Clapp, Elementary School Senior Teacher, Salisbury Community School; Aziza Malik is also recognized.

Robin Newton has been a physical education teacher at Vergennes Union Elementary School for 27 years. At Vergennes UES, Newton focuses on providing fun and educational physical education experiences that develop the skills and confidence necessary for healthy development and lifelong fitness. Newton connects students to communities and builds interdisciplinary programs that build on learning in the classroom, on the playground, and beyond.

“Robin Newton is an example of what makes Vermont educators special,” said Secretary of Education Dan French. “From using the Olympics to teach students about sportsmanship, competition, world affairs, and intercultural competence, to her efforts to bring more funding to the district’s physical education and nutrition programs, Ms. Newton excels in education. She demonstrates leadership through interdisciplinary and collaborative engagement, mindsets, and most importantly, she fosters excitement for learning both in and out of the classroom.”

Newton’s accomplishments at UES include leading an interdisciplinary unit on the Olympics that touches all grades and all subjects at Addison County Elementary School. Each class chooses a country to represent and students learn about their country through reading, writing and math lessons. Watch videos of real Olympic events before the games to learn and practice relevant skills in physical education. Each student chooses her four events to compete in.

As Newton wrote in his Vermont Teacher of the Year application, “There’s nothing better than watching your peers cheer each other on, or hearing a junior who receives a bronze medal shout ‘I won!’ Nothing… This unit embodies how and why I teach. Create fun experiences that develop new skills, build confidence, and promote healthy movement and pleasure.

“Robin understands the importance of possibility. By individualizing physical education, students don’t compare their progress to the one next to them, but to how each individual student has done in the past.” VUES physical education students write their own goals, reflect on their learning in physical education journals, and try to achieve their self-designed goals.”

Newton’s leadership extended to securing funding to expand the district’s physical education offerings in game-changing ways.

In 2008, she was awarded a Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant of over $900,000 for her writing. Among other program updates, the district built her three ropes courses, including a high ropes course that improves social-emotional skills such as confidence, trust, and teamwork, while snowshoeing, cross-country her skiing, and more. We equipped each school with facilities that support the lifelong activities of children. , ice skates, rollerblades, tennis equipment, disc golf courses, indoor climbing walls, exercise bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, and heart rate monitors.

“Robin is a great educator. “Her commitment to the health and welfare of others goes far beyond the classroom. She has been an inspiration to others through her positivity and optimism. I am proud.”

As Vermont’s Teacher of the Year, Newton highlights the importance of physical activity, fitness, and play to both student learning and academic performance, as well as social and emotional well-being. Her Platform is based on research showing that students perform better academically when they are both healthy, active and have opportunities for irregular play in school.

This ‘brain break’ allows students to summarize what they have learned and return to the classroom refreshed. Physical activity and plenty of play make students more creative, independent thinkers and learners, and happier overall. As Vermont schools recover from his COVID-19 pandemic, quality physical education and opportunities for unstructured play and “brain teasers” are critical to student success and well-being.

About the Teacher of the Year Program

Since 1964, the Department of Education has recognized outstanding Vermont teachers through the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award. As the 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year, Ms. Newton will serve as an advocate for teaching, education, and students. She is also a candidate for her 2023 National Teacher Award for Vermont, sponsored by the State Council for Chief School Officers (CCSSO). Newton will represent Vermont next spring at the National Teacher of the Year program, which usually takes place in Washington, DC.

Robin Newton will also be recognized at University of Vermont’s Distinguished Teacher’s Day in November. Over the course of his 40 years, UVM has annually recognized outstanding teachers statewide. The event recognizes educators from each supervisory union or school district and invites them to nominate one teacher at the elementary or middle school level, one teacher at the secondary level, and one teacher at the technology center level.

About the Vermont Department of Education

The Department of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for all Vermont learners. The institution accomplishes this mission by providing leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.

VERGENNES, Vt. – Vermont Department of Education web.