Educator Named Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year

Greenacres Elementary's P.J. Jarvis Receives Washington State Award

11/6/2009

Central Valley School District educator P.J. Jarvis, has been named Washington State Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Washington Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (WAHPERD), the state chapter of the National Association for the Sport & Physical Education (NASPE). She is now a candidate for the District Teacher of the Year award representing the Northwest District (one of six in the country). 

Jarvis has been teaching health and fitness at Greenacres Elementary for the past seven years, where she also serves as Associated Student Body (ASB) Advisor. She was nominated by two western Washington physical education teachers and received the award last month in Seattle.

“The opportunity to be physically active and healthy is a gift,” said Jarvis, who advocates for fitness both personally and professionally. “It is this philosophy that I work to instill in my students.” 

Jarvis earned recognition for her achievements in five criteria areas: conducting a quality K-12 physical education program reflecting NASPE standards and guidelines; utilizing various methodologies and planning innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students; serving as a positive role model in areas of health and fitness and exhibiting sensitivity to the needs of students; participating in professional development opportunities; and providing service to the profession through leadership, presentations, and/or writing.

In addition to serving on numerous state boards, Jarvis is also a community leader and volunteer for physical education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Pacific Lutheran University and has completed coursework in outdoor recreation resources at Indiana University-Bloomington. She is an Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) trainer for Health and Fitness Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs).

Greenacres Elementary serves 565 students in grades 1-5 and is one of 22 schools in the Central Valley School District. For more information, click here or call 228-5400.    

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