PORT ANGELES — Hamilton Elementary School’s Krista Winn isn’t just the best physical education teacher in the Northwest.
She’s the best in the nation.
Winn was named physical fitness elementary teacher of the year at the National Association for Sport and Physical Education conference in Salt Lake City last week.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Winn said as she went back to work this week.
“I’m still trying to fathom that I’m the national teacher of the year.”
Winn was named the best physical fitness elementary teacher in the association’s Northwest district before going to the conference.
The association’s Northwest district includes Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, and Winn beat out five other elementary educators named the best in their districts for the national title.
“They kept saying over and over that it was my passion for teaching,” Winn said about receiving the honor.
Published author
Winn has taught physical education for more than 16 years in the Port Angeles School District, and during that time published the book Field Day Survival Guide.
The book has sold more than 10,000 copies since it came out in 2002, Winn said, and is a step-by-step guide to plan a day of different physical activities for students, such as obstacle courses and relay races.
Winn has also served on a number of committees at both the state and national levels to devise comprehensive physical education and health standards.