Nester 

named

teacher of

year

WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy named Physical Education teacher,  Emily Nester, as the Teacher of the Year for the 2015 – 2016 school year.

Nester’s 14-year career at The Academy began in 2001 as a long term substitute in the Physical Education (P.E.) department. Following an incredibly successful spring semester, she was hired full-time in the fall of 2001. She has since expanded her class load to include Health and Family Foods at The Academy.

“One of the most important things I want my students to take away from my classes is valuable life skills as well as an overall improvement in their lifestyle, increased self-esteem, and better interpersonal skills,” Nester said. “In any of my classes, P.E., Health, or Family Foods, I hope my students are having a positive experience, whether its performing various exercises or enhancing their culinary talents. If they enjoy learning and mastering these skills now, then hopefully they will continue to use them throughout their lives.”

During her tenure, Nester has served as a coach for several sports, started the Climbing Club, an extracurricular activity for students interested in rock and wall climbing, and currently sits on the School Health Advisory Council. She also assists with The Academy’s Unified P.E. class; most recently hosting an in-school field trip with Killingly High School’s Unified P.E. class where students enjoyed a day of indoor climbing and team building activities.

“Emily was chosen as our Teacher of the Year because of her great empathy for people as well as her incredible dedication to her students and The Academy community,” Associate Headmaster Holly Singleton said. “She’s truly made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students.”

Nester also focuses on taking her students outside of the classroom to learn new hobbies that promote a healthier lifestyle. Each year she takes her students surfing at Narragansett Town Beach, rock climbing at Ross’ Cliffs, cross country skiing around Woodstock, Paddleboarding down the Narrow River, and much more.

“Emily knows that teaching and learning happen beyond the four walls of a classroom, which makes her students extremely interested in her classes,” Headmaster Chris Sandford said. “She inspires and motivates her students to be healthy and is always challenging them to do something they might not have the opportunity or confidence to do on their own. We are incredibly lucky to have her as part of our faculty and we are very proud to have her representing The Academy.”