New Trier High School Kinetic Wellness teacher Andrew Milne. Photo courtesy of New Trier.
WINNETKA — “A list to crush this year” hangs from Kinetic Wellness teacher Andrew Milne’s desk at New Trier High School, with some major goals for 2017. One stands out: Become the Health Education Teacher of the Year.
“You can only apply once,” Milne said. “For me, this was the best year to do exactly that.”
The result? He crushed it.
Milne was named the Illinois Health Education Teacher of the Year and later the Midwest District Health Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators.
SHAPE America’s Midwest District represents six states from West Virginia to Wisconsin. The award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance in school health and the ability to motivate youth to make healthy choices for a lifetime.
Milne, who began teaching at the Winnetka high school four years ago, will be honored at the 132nd SHAPE American National Convention from March 14-18 in Boston.
With four other regional winners, Milne is also in the running for the distinguished honor of National Health Education Teacher of the Year. The national award recipient will be announced March 17 at the convention.
“I’m feeling really proud,” Milne said. “Going into the convention, I’m already a winner in my mind. If I win the national title, it will only amplify my voice even more.”
Since joining the staff of New Trier, Milne has brought many new ideas to the curriculum, including creating a series of successful iBooks for Sophomore Health, innovative goal-setting and advocacy projects, and the introduction of technology from student-led podcasts to iMovies to the latest apps.
For more information about SHAPE America’s National Convention and Expo, visit www.shapeamerica.org/events/convention2017/convention2017.cfm and follow #SHAPEBoston.
Submitted by New Trier Township High School