Robyn Newton, M.Ed., CAGS (B.S. UVM '95)
Vergennes Elementary School
Vermont Teacher of the Year 2023
BIO
Robyn Newton earned her bachelor’s degree from UVM’s College of Education and Social Services in 1995 and went on to earn her master’s in education (2002) and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (2019) from Southern New Hampshire University. In 2001, Newton was named Addison Northwest School District’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, and in 2010, she was named Vermont’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Society of Health and Physical Educators. In 2023, she was named VermontTeacher of the Year by the Vermont Agency of Education. Now in her 29th year teaching K-6 physical education at Vergennes Union Elementary in Vergennes, Vermont, Newton remains passionate about teaching new skills, creating unique opportunities for play, and emphasizing movement as key to helping students physically, mentally, and socially. Her priority is building a better community for her students to be active, and providing lessons that build trust, respect, joy, and confidence.
Newton’s commitment to school and community partnerships paved the way for a $900,000 Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant for new equipment, programming, and opportunities for her district. She brought the program Action Based Learning to her school district, a research-based motor development program linking physical activity and increased academic performance, and has created a 2 week whole-school interdisciplinary Olympic Unit—a favorite of students at Vergennes Elementary School. Robyn has been a member of her school’s Parent/Community Group and is a current member of the Vergennes Parks and Recreation Committee, where she led a $300,000 project to renovate the community’s ice rink and basketball facility. Her belief in the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle is reflected in her personal enjoyment of traveling, camping, golf, softball, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Bio
Robyn Newton earned her bachelor’s degree from UVM’s College of Education and Social Services in 1995 and went on to earn her master’s in education (2002) and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (2019) from Southern New Hampshire University. In 2001, Newton was named Addison Northwest School District’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, and in 2010, she was named Vermont’s Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Society of Health and Physical Educators. In 2023, she was named VermontTeacher of the Year by the Vermont Agency of Education. Now in her 29th year teaching K-6 physical education at Vergennes Union Elementary in Vergennes, Vermont, Newton remains passionate about teaching new skills, creating unique opportunities for play, and emphasizing movement as key to helping students physically, mentally, and socially. Her priority is building a better community for her students to be active, and providing lessons that build trust, respect, joy, and confidence.
Newton’s commitment to school and community partnerships paved the way for a $900,000 Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant for new equipment, programming, and opportunities for her district. She brought the program Action Based Learning to her school district, a research-based motor development program linking physical activity and increased academic performance, and has created a 2 week whole-school interdisciplinary Olympic Unit—a favorite of students at Vergennes Elementary School. Robyn has been a member of her school’s Parent/Community Group and is a current member of the Vergennes Parks and Recreation Committee, where she led a $300,000 project to renovate the community’s ice rink and basketball facility. Her belief in the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle is reflected in her personal enjoyment of traveling, camping, golf, softball, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.