North Allegheny Physical Education Teacher Wins State Honor

McCANDLESS TOWNSHIP, PA - North Allegheny School District physical education instructor Chris Jackson was named the Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year at the 97th annual Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance Inc. convention in Seven Springs.

Jackson, who teaches at Peebles Elementary School, began his North Allegheny career in 2007 and currently serves on many district committees including the dining services, pump house run, and wellness committees. He has a bachelor’s degree in movement science from Liverpool University UK, and a master’s degree in exercise sciences and teaching certification at West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

Jackson considers himself as a wellness educator who can use his expertise in fitness and nutrition to help not only his students and their families, but also his colleagues and community. Over the past two years, more than 400 Peebles students have participated in the after-school extracurricular “Kids of Steel”, program spearheaded by Jackson that encourages students to be more physically active.

“I am one of many elementary health and physical education teachers in NASD that could receive this award,” Jackson said in a district release. “This is for them just as much as it is for me. I would not be where I am today without this team of amazing educators and for that, I am truly grateful.”

Photo via North Allegheny School District.

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