Mscisz Named PE Teacher of the Year

Danvers' own Jennifer Mscisz is receiving special recognition as a top-notch educator this year -- Mscisz has been named the Mass. Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by her peers.

Mscisz has taught PE at the Thorpe School for seven years and before that was a health teacher for 14 years in both the high school and middle school.

This year's award comes from the Mass. Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, a professional group of her peers from across the state.

"I am honored to be named the Massachusetts Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year," Mscisz said. "I have the greatest job and enjoy working with the students at Thorpe Elementary School."

"I try to be creative and bring a positive energy to work every day while at the same time teaching students important skills and concepts, which will allow them to lead healthy and active lives as they grow older," she said.

Mscisz has even developed her own business (All About P.E.) and curriculum support materials that offer activities, posters and instructional guides to assist PE teachers in school or after-school programs, as well as YMCA instructors, daycare providers and summer camp staffers.

And she has a long history with athletics -- she played soccer, basketball and softball at Danvers High and was inducted into the Blue and White Hall of Fame in 2008. She also coached varsity basketball for the Falcons and her own children are now multi-sport athletes.

Mscisz was nominated for the award by her former boss, Health and Physical Education Director Gary Nihan, who retired last year. Mscisz was also nominated in 2011, but didn't win.

She and two other Bay State educators at the high school and middle school levels will be recognized at the 20th Annual MAHPERD Awards Banquet May 5 at the DoubleTree in Westboro.

You can find out more about the Mass. Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance here.