Ron Trainum, health and physical education teacher at Toano Middle School, has been named the National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE America.
Trainum was recognized during the SHAPE National Convention and Expo in Minneapolis on April 8. He was one of four finalists for the award, as he was the Southern District Middle School HPE Teacher of the Year and the Virginia Middle School HPE Teacher of the Year.
“It really is just a testament to what we do at our school for our students,” Trainum said. “I think it really has to do with what we do as a program, to think of innovative ways to engage with students and figure out what activities they like to do and get [them] locked into it so they can be active for a lifetime.”
As a department curriculum leader, Trainum develops class activities that emphasize personal fitness and incorporate technology like the “Just Dance” video game.
Trainum was selected by an independent jury of educators who interviewed the finalists, reviewed their lesson plans and watched videos of their teaching, SHAPE spokeswoman Paula Kun said.
