She's Phys Ed Teacher of the Year

An East Providence teacher has been selected as the physical education educator of the year in Rhode Island. 

Donna Rapoza, of the Myron J. Francis Elementary School in Rumford, received the honor recently, according to eastbayri.com. Officially, the award is for the Rhode Island Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (RIHPERD) Teacher of the Year.

Rapoza has been an East Providence teacher for 34 years – the last four at Francis School.

“It makes me proud,” said said in the eastbayri.com story. “I’m proud of the fact that my peers picked me. I’m proud that even after 34 years of teaching I still love what I do.” 

Classroom methodologies, lesson plans and past accomplishments are among the criteria for the annual award. With the help of other teachers, she said she tries to integrate other subjects -- math, geography and science -- into physical education classes. 

Many teachers with more than three decades in the classroom are already retiring. But Rapoza said she’s not quite ready yet.

“I’m still having too much fun,” she said. “I love teaching kids.”