JSC Alum Named One of Top P.E. Teachers in U.S.

November 16, 2015

Brian Godfrey of Waterbury, a 2003 graduate of Johnson State College, has been named one of the top physical education teachers in the nation by SHAPE (the Society of Health & Physical Educators) America, the country’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals.

By being named Eastern District Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Godfrey becomes one of four teachers in the country to be nominated for SHAPE America’s National Teacher of the Year.

A physical education teacher at Richmond Elementary School, Godfrey has a B.S. degree in health sciences with a concentration in physical education from Johnson State, where he played on the men’s basketball team. Later, he obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy study from the University of Vermont.

In 2014, Godfrey was named Vermont’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance.

“Choosing Johnson State College was one of the most important decisions of my life,” Godfrey said. “The curriculum was challenging and helped prepare me for being the leader and teacher I am today.”

“I am so proud of Brian’s accomplishments,” said Professor Karen J. Uhlendorf of JSC’s Department of Environmental & Health Sciences. “He is one of the nicest people you could ever want to know and one of the most energetic and positive PE teachers I’ve seen, as well as one who is innovative and on the cutting edge in our field. We have much to be proud of in Brian.”

Godfrey has worked as a teacher in Vermont for 11 years. In Richmond, he created the Snow Motion Program, which focuses on making skiing and snowboarding accessible to all children. He wrote the “Snowboarding in P.E.” curriculum for Burton Snowboards, and he is helping to introduce snowboarding in P.E. classes around Vermont. In addition, he is a strong believer in integrating technology into P.E. classes and, according to Teach.com, has one of the top P.E blogs, using the power of social media to empower others to be active for life.

Godfrey grew up in Richmond and now lives in Waterbury with his wife, fellow JSC alum Makenzie, whom he met his freshman year at JSC, and two children.