Oakland Beach teacher is state's PE Educator of Year

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 6/16/16

James DeSimone was completely surprised when the 6th grade versus faculty softball game was interrupted last Friday at Oakland Beach Elementary. He had no idea that he could be named Rhode Island's Physical Educator of the Year in front of

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Oakland Beach teacher is state's PE Educator of Year

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James DeSimone was completely surprised when the 6th grade versus faculty softball game was interrupted last Friday at Oakland Beach Elementary. He had no idea that he could be named Rhode Island’s Physical Educator of the Year in front of nearly the entire student body and his colleagues.

The Rhode Island Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (RIAHPERD) named DeSimone, who has been teaching since 2002 and at Oakland Beach Elementary since 2009, the physical educator of the year.

The RIAHPERD is a statewide organization that advocates for healthy standards in schools and to keep children active to see more health and physical activity in schools.

Kerri Tunnicliffe, past president for the RIAHPERD, visited the school on Friday, June 10 to present DeSimone with a plaque, a $250 gift certificate to a equipment vendor, as well as to let his whole school know of his title. As the Physical Educator of the Year, DeSimone will speak at the RIAHPERD’s annual fall conference.

Typically, the award has been announced at the fall conference, but Tunnicliffe explained that over the past several years the organization wanted to do more to recognize their educators and the “hard work they do every day,” especially since teachers can sometimes get a “bad wrap.” This way the entire school becomes aware of the title and can take part in congratulating the winning physical educator.

“This is the Golden Apple for physical educators,” Tunnicliffe said. “This was really a no-brainer for us. He is an amazing advocate for physical education and keeping our kids healthy. I believe this is long overdue.”

The process for physical educator of the year is a “competitive” one, Tunnicliffe said, but DeSimone stood out among the rest. During a blind review of his application what stood out was his willingness to take on undergrads from the state colleges and universities for students teaching positions.

Tunnicliffe said DeSimone will take in students as freshmen, take them “under his wing” to learn best practices in the field.

“He lets these students learn in the school setting. He isn’t in your face, this is what you need to do, but lets them explore the field so they come to understand for themselves what it means to be a great physical educator with quality work ethic,” Tunnicliffe said.

Alongside taking student teachers, DeSimone also gives back to the community by speaking and making presentations at various conferences. Similarly, he works closely with classroom teachers on how to incorporate physical activity in the classroom, especially during standardized testing, which has been found to improve test scores.

Paul Heatherton, principal of Oakland Beach Elementary, said it is awesome to see one of his teachers receive such a high honor. Heatherton noted that DeSimone is a “dynamic educator,” putting on various events, programs and tournaments for the students throughout the year to keep students invested in being active and healthy.

“He really engages students in their health and makes it fun for them,” Heatherton said.

During the brief presentation ceremony, many of the 6th graders ran up to DeSimone in congratulations, not unlike when a sports team wins a game. A lot of the students were also vocal about how much they like DeSimone as their teacher.

Dylan Wygant said that DeSimone is very nice, always offering students help in getting better at sports, suggesting practices that could help them improve.

Christian Iannachone said students get exposed to a lot of different sports in class so there is always something for everyone to enjoy.

“Mr. DeSimone gives us courage and confidence by making us healthy,” Cassidy Braz said.

DeSimone was surprised by the school-wide award ceremony, but was grateful and honored to be named Physical Educator of the Year.

“This is the best job in the world. I get to do what I love,” DeSimone said. “I try and teach kids how to live long, healthy lives with different activities they can take outside of school and with them for the rest of their lives.

In terms of the undergraduates he oversees, DeSimone said he just hopes to instill them with “the best knowledge” that will help them be successful and in turn help to ensure students are healthy and safe.

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