Gwynedd Square Gym Teacher Wins State Award

Gwynedd Square Elementary School gym teacher Debra Buckner was recently awarded the Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Inc., North Penn School District announced this week.

Buckner has been teaching Health and Physical Education for 35 years and began working at North Penn in 1993.

At North Penn School District, “she challenges her students, not only in physical education but also in other academic areas in order for students to make connections between everything they learn. She strives to help every student find joy in moving. She wants her students to feel safe, respected and challenged during gym class and encourages them to be active outside of school as well,” the district said in a statement.

In one the nominations for the award, the district said a student wrote, “You are an important staple to the school because you teach your students important lessons like sportsmanship and respect through creative games. You have inspired me to try my hardest and have taught me important things I will always remember.”