Richmond Elementary School physical education teacher Brian Godfrey has been recognized as one of the best P.E. teachers in the country, and now he's in the running for a National Teacher of the Year honor.
A professional organization called the Society of Health and Physical Educators, also known as SHAPE America, has named Godfrey the Eastern District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. He is now one of a half-dozen teachers in the country nominated for SHAPE America's 2016 National Elementary Teacher of the Year.
The SHAPE American Eastern District includes Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and the Virgin Islands.
This isn't the first time Godfrey has been recognized by a professional association: Last year, he was named Vermont’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Godfrey grew up in Richmond and now lives in Waterbury with his wife and two children. He earned his undergraduate degree from Johnson State College, where he met his wife. He earned a master's degree from the University of Vermont, and has been teaching in the state for 11 years.
Johnson State College sent out a press announcement noting the accomplishments of the school's alumnus.
"In Richmond, he created the Snow Motion Program, which focuses on making skiing and snowboarding accessible to all children," the announcement states. "He wrote the 'Snowboarding in P.E.' curriculum for Burton Snowboards, and he is assisting in introducing snowboarding to P.E. classes around Vermont."
The JSC announcement also noted that, according to Teach.com, Godfrey has one of the top P.E blogs, "using the power of social media to empower others to be active for life."
In April SHAPE America will announce its 2016 teacher of the year awards in six categories, including elementary physical education.
