ST. GEORGE — Two physical education teachers at Snow Canyon Middle School are both recipients of the “Teacher of the Year” award by the Society of Health and Physical Education in Utah.
In February 2022, the Utah State Board of Education honored Kirsten Reynolds and Alison Renstrom with the PE Teacher of the Month Award. This put both of their names in the pool of candidates for the SHAPE-Utah Teacher of the Year Award.
Among several physical education teachers, the highest number of votes was a tie between Reynolds and Renstrom. Due to the tie, SHAPE-Utah chose to honor them both.
They were recognized by the school district board on April 11.
“While it is an honor to be receiving this award as individuals, it is the physical education program we have built that truly deserves the award,” Renstrom said.
The PE program, designed with inventive games, was themed with movie or sport challenges. The students engage in Jedi knight battles with foam noodles, run from a giant Indiana Jones-sized boulder — which is really a cage ball — and play Quidditch or Spikeball. They also participate in water aerobics, jump roping routines, four square and nine square, among others.
“Our main goal is to provide socially engaging physical activities that are fun and diverse,” Reynolds said.
The instructors have emphasized team sports and teamwork. This includes such sports as flag football. Renstrom said as students learn the roles of each position, the discuss what their contributions will be to the team first.
“We place a high emphasis on team building and including everyone — always,” Renstrom added.
SHAPE-America was established in 1885. It provides support for professionals in health and physical education throughout the country and its standards for K-12 physical education have been used as a resource for national standards used by both public and private schools.
The district’s Secondary Science, Social Studies and Health Coordinator Amy Christiansen did the write-up nomination about their PE program.
According to the write-up, “Kirsten Reynolds and Alison Renstrom are taking PE to a whole new level. At a time when kids are struggling socially and emotionally and getting very little physical activity, they have collaborated to make PE a more holistic and engaging experience.”
Reynolds is from the small town of Kanosh, Utah, where she said she learned the value of work hard. She loved riding horses and bikes around town with her friends.
Playing co-ed softball with the entire town was one of her favorite memories of Kanosh.
Due to family circumstances, she moved to Delta her junior year of high school. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor’s degree in English and physical education and a Master’s degree in education.
In her spare time, she rides e-bikes. She also participates in a book club and loves a good book.
She said when she gets the chance, she will go on a road trip and the best years have been the last 20 years teaching physical education as a Warrior at Snow Canyon Middle School.
Renstrom said she grew up in Kaysville, often with scars on her face from crashing on a big wheel and calluses on her hands from playing croquet in the neighborhood club.
She graduated from Weber State University with a teaching degree in math and science. After six years teaching these subjects, she learned her true passion lay in physical education. Other passions of hers include backpacking, running, coaching cross country/track and singing the Snow Canyon fight song.
Her husband, Zachary, is the Washington County Water Conservancy District manager.
“Together we enjoy many adventures with our children,” Renstrom said. “Boating in Lake Powell and hiking the Grand Canyon are among our top favorites.”
Both gave thanks to the State Bank of Southern Utah, Paparazzi, the Wade Family Foundation, Open/U.S. Games, the Washington County School District Foundation, and the Parent Teachers Association for financial support.
“We have been able to use this money for equipment as well as for PE clothing,” Reynolds said. “The clothing allows us to require that every student dresses out every class period. This means that all our students are participating at all times which adds tremendously to the energy and feeling in our gym and on the fields.”
Thanks went to the middle school principal, Jerrod Dastrup, and Christiansen with the district.
They echoed in unison one statement.
“We have the best students.”
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