Canton Teacher Honored With National Award

CANTON, GA – A Canton teacher has been named Georgia's recipient of the National University System-Sanford Teacher Award.

Keith Furstenberg, a physical education teacher from the Free Home Elementary School, was honored with $10,000 in recognition of his work supporting student development and achievement.

The award honors the top teacher in each state for their work supporting students in harmonious ways, and enters the each teacher into the running for the national winner of the Sanford Teacher Award, which comes with a total award of $50,000.

Furstenberg initiated two morning fitness programs, Free Home Running Club and Tennis Time, in order to focus on students' wellbeing inside and outside his classroom, according to the announcement of his award. The clubs allow students to boost their metabolism, create lifelong healthy habits and understand the importance of cardiovascular health. Through the program, students document their mileage, make predictions and think critically about the kinesiology used during their exercise.

Furstenberg also advocates for physical and environmental wellbeing and spearheads the school's "Green Team." Students who are involved in the effort collect and recycle items and weight, measure and chart their progress while learning how to protect the environment.