By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — RCS teacher Brandon Herwick was named Teacher of the Year by the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Capital Zone.
The Teacher of the Year Award honors individuals for excellence in teaching and overall performance in physical education at the elementary, middle and high school levels, adapted physical education, health education, and dance education, according to the district.
Herwick is a physical education teacher at A.W. Becker Elementary with his co-teacher, Megan McClave.
Herwick makes learning and physical activity fun for the students, RCS District Superintendent Dr. Brian Bailey said during the awards ceremony Feb. 7 at the board of education’s monthly meeting.
“He exudes a level of joy and energy that is unmatched,” Bailey said.
Herwick is also an educator outside of the classroom to his fellow physical education peers throughout the state and nationally, according to the district. He shares his knowledge and the motivation he expects of his students to create positive impacts not only in physical education but in their everyday lives.
Sandy Morley from the association spoke of Herwick’s contributions not only in the classroom but in his presentations to other educators in the field.
“Brandon has been a real gift to his students at A.W. Becker and to his colleagues not only in New York state but throughout the country,” Morley said. “He shares his brilliant knowledge and motivation with other professionals. He speaks about behavior and kindness and effort that he expects from his students, but it’s all a reflection of his own personality and interpersonal skills. He doesn’t just teach students, he guides them to their own moral compass through the exposure to higher order thinking skills, group discussions and a lot of fun activities.”
“Brandon is an amazing example of what a physical educator should be and this district has one of the premier educators in the United States on their staff,” Morley added.
Herwick accepted his award and saluted the other educators he works with in the district.
“I really do appreciate working for RCS and I appreciate all you do here to make a difference every day in the lives of our students,” he said. “Specifically, I love working at A.W. Becker.”
Herwick showed a highlight reel of PE activities the students have taken part in.
“Physical education is all about providing an incredible, fun environment and experience where students can explore, learn, connect and grow,” he narrated in the video. “By getting to know our students and their families, we can meet them where they are to challenge or modify the activities and lessons to help them love movement, fail, learn, try again, and ultimately find success and understanding.”
Many of the current activities in the district’s physical education department are long-standing traditions that were started by teachers that came before him, Herwick said, such as the Apple Run, Family PE Week, the Wackadoodles Running Club and the holiday obstacle course.
“We are so grateful for those who have laid down strong paths for us and for those who continue to weave in and out of our careers,” Herwick said, “adding wisdom and generational knowledge — students and staff alike.”
