The Vermont Agency of Education has named Robyn Newton, a physical education teacher at Vergennes Union Elementary School, as its 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Newton was selected for the honor over three other finalists: Abbie Bowker, visual art teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School; Amy Clapp, upper elementary teacher at Salisbury Community School; and Aziza Malik, upper elementary teacher at Champlain Elementary School.
At Vergennes Union, Newton focuses on providing a physical education experience that is joyful and educational, and develops in her students the skills and confidence needed for healthy development and lifelong fitness. She has built an interdisciplinary program that connects students to their communities and builds on their learning in the classroom, on the playing field and beyond.
“Robyn Newton exemplifies 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 competency, to her efforts to bring more funding to physical education and nutrition programs in her district, Ms. Newton excels in teaching, shows leadership through an interdisciplinary and collaborative mindset and, most importantly, builds excitement for learning in and out of the classroom.”
As Vermont’s Teacher of the Year, Newton will focus on the importance of physical activity, fitness and play, both to students’ learning and academic achievement, and to their social-emotional well-being. Her platform is grounded in research that demonstrates that students do better academically, both when they are fit, healthy and active, and have the opportunity for unstructured play during the school day.
This “brain break” allows students to synthesize what they have learned and return to the classroom refreshed. Physical activity and adequate play make students more creative, independent thinkers and learners, and happier overall. As Vermont schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, high quality physical education and opportunities for unstructured play and brain breaks are critical to student success and well-being.