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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (December 23, 2003) -Laura Matney, a physical education teacher at Woodland Elementary School, Johnson City, has been named Tennessee Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She is a 1972 graduate of Milligan College.
As a result of Matney’s actions in the physical education program, Woodland Elementary has been selected as one of 10 physical education demonstration centers in Tennessee. In the past month, dozens of educational instructors from across the state have visited Woodland to observe Matney’s classes and learn from her innovative teaching skills.
Matney will represent Tennessee at the combined Southern District and National Convention in New Orleans, where she will be considered for the Southern District Physical Education Teacher of the Year award, which is among six others in the running for the National Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
“My personal goals are to provide Woodland students and the community with the best possible health and physical education program, while being open for administrators, teachers and college students to observe and share ideas about teaching skills to children,” said Matney.
Matney said much of her success as a teacher is due to the values and professional standards gained as a college student.
“My Milligan education equipped me to be a lifelong learner, inspired me to strive for excellence and gave me the confidence to pursue a wide variety of interests,” said Matney. “The desire to meet the very high academic standards at Milligan ultimately teaches students to seek that level of excellence throughout their lives and careers.”
The Tennessee Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year award was made possible by the Tennessee Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (TAHPERD). TAHPERD is a state organization under the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD).