NFL Network Physical Education Teacher of the Year

written by Tom Winiecki, Mott Road Elementary School, Fayetteville, NY

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I was fortunate enough to have been named the 2013 NFL Network Physical Education Teacher of the Year. The whole experience was something I will never forget! From filling out initial paperwork, to participating in a phone interview, to actually getting the phone call saying that I had been selected, was a memorable process.

It all started with writing some essays describing my teaching. Writing can be a bit of a hassle, especially in our profession. We don't often think that there is a place for writing in our work. We are, after all, in the business of creating people that learn to enjoy how to move in ways that benefit them. We strive to teach in a way so that things can make more sense to our students. Just like any other subject, the more you understand the more you learn to enjoy it. By seeing the connections between activities clearly you develop a better understanding! On the surface, writing in class would seem to take away from our primary mission of teaching students to enjoy moving. But there may be a place for it.

One side note on writing. Our district has decided that writing is so important that it should be included in every subject. They describe it as "talking out of the tip of a pen." To their credit, they did not dictate to us how often and how much writing each subject should include. They basically left it up to us. All they asked is that we look for the best place to include it. Where did it make the most sense to include writing? We were allowed to come up with those answers.

Our curriculum is mapped on some software that the district purchased. So, my thought was to look on these maps for where ever it says that a "student will understand." This could be a logical place to look for including writing. Students can demonstrate understanding (to some degree) with movement, but there may be a place where they can do this more completely through writing.

We are taking this summer (2013) to come up with logical places to include writing. We certainly are not looking for full blown research papers, or 500 word essays. However, writing (a few sentences) may include an activity journal where 4th graders write their understanding of the benefits of exercise, based on what we talk about and learn in class. It may be a short answer on a 7th grade quiz where they compare two sports for similar patterns of movement. At the high school level it may end up as using personal fitness data to integrate into an individualized fitness plan. I'm looking forward to seeing what our creative staff comes up with!

I found, when sitting down to write about my program for the NFL Network, that I was really examining what I did and how I did it. I wanted my message to be very clear to the group of people at the NFL Network. They had never seen what I do, and I wanted them to get a clear picture of how I teach. Sitting down to write about this made me really examine what I did, why I did it, and how it made my students better movers and learners. As a result, I had a better picture of my program. Writing about this served to actually reinvigorate me to continue what I was doing, and to always look for better methods to teach my material to my kids.

Anyway, back to the process.

Once I submitted my entry I received a message saying that I was selected as one of five finalists, and that I would now need to submit a video of a class and have a phone interview with people from the NFL Network. NASPE and the marketing firm organized this process. The thought of preparing for something like this was daunting, to say the least! I made up my mind that I was going to be myself. I didn't want to look up information to say, and not have it be something I do on a daily basis. The last thing I wanted to do was to tell them stuff just because I thought that's what they wanted to hear. I wanted to tell them about what I do, how I do it, what it's based on, and let the chips fall where they may.

The interview began with me talking about my video. This forced me to focus on what I am trying to teach and how I am going about it. I never want to teach activity simply for activity's sake. There needs to be a reason for everything. This gave me the chance to go into detail about this lesson. I enjoyed doing this, because it allowed me to not only explain to someone from the outside what I do and why I do it, but it also focused me on these same things.

I am a member of AAHPERD, so I am also aware of a draft out there on changes to their learning standards and grade level benchmarks. When AAHPERD solicited member responses, I sent in my thoughts. I knew how those possible revisions already fit into my teaching. I was able to use this in my answers to their questions. I felt good about saying things like this, because I was already doing them on a daily basis.

As with the other questions they had for me, I felt good about my responses. I knew they were a reflection of my daily teaching and that they were based in sound practices. Once I hung up with them, I immediately thought of things I'd forgotten to say. For example, I wanted to tell them that my students did not know why I was videotaping their class. I didn't want my kids to look like they were on their best behavior just to look good to the NFL Network. My wife kept telling me not to worry about it. I tried to take her advice.

Once the interview was finished, they told me that I would hear back from them in a few days with the results. Waiting was now the hard part. In a few days, the phone rang and it was the news I was hoping for. I was told that they'd named me their teacher of the year! They said that they would fly my wife and me to New York City. I would receive the award at their NFL Play 60 event at Chelsea Pier the day before the NFL Draft. We would then get a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, and then attend the first round of the NFL Draft the next day.

My wife and I had been to NYC once before. We took our girls there a few years ago after Christmas. So the idea of spending a few days there again was pretty exciting! It all started when we got off the plane and found a gentleman holding a board with our name on it. He was a chauffeur who would take us to our hotel. We were definitely in the big city now!

Previously, I was sent some clothes I was to wear at the Play 60 event. They sent me a warm up suit worn by players at the NFL Combine. Everything fit, so I was pretty excited. Once at the hotel, there was some more stuff waiting for us. It was completely unexpected, but very much appreciated!

After we got to our room, we decided to go find something to eat. As we were waiting for the elevator, over walked Brian Kelly, the head football coach at Notre Dame. He was there with what appeared to be some of his assistants and their wives, talking about something important, I'm sure, about Fighting Irish football. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to him, but it still was pretty neat to see him in person.

The next morning, we were to meet Patrick Sommers, from the Civic Entertainment Group, who was going to take us to the Play 60 event where I was to get my award. He works with the NFL, organizing Play 60 type events all over the league each season. He couldn't have been more kind to us. He put my mind at ease, as he patiently answered all of our questions as we went to Chelsea Pier.

Once there, we got to see a Play 60 clinic. The NFL brought in some of the players projected to be 1st round picks to run a clinic for local kids. Watching these players interact with these kids was inspiring. Here these players are, hoping to make millions in the NFL, and they were taking time to work with some kids on football skills. I realize that the NFL told them to be there, but they truly seemed to be enjoying themselves with the kids! As a teacher myself, it was really nice to see this first hand!

I also got to meet Shannon Smith, also from Civic Entertainment. I had talked with her on the phone a few times. It was good to finally put a face to the person I talked with. She also was extremely kind to us. Both Patrick and Shannon went out of their way to make sure that we had what we needed and were getting the most out of our experience. They were definitely trying to give us the first class treatment. It was very clear to me that both of them truly enjoyed what they do! Both my wife and I really appreciated all of their efforts for us!

I was told that I was going to meet both Roger Goodell and Steve Mariucci at this event. They would both be a part of my award presentation. Steve Mariucci came up to me to introduce himself. What a positive guy! We talked for a few minutes about the NFL and my hometown Buffalo Bills. He even asked me who I thought they should draft!

I saw Commissioner Goodell off in the distance. I had brought a copy of a recent Sports Illustrated magazine with me. In it was a fold out add for the NFL Draft. I thought if I could get both Steve Mariucci and Roger Goodell's autographs on this ad, this would be all that I would want from my time there. I asked Patrick Sommers if it would be OK to ask the Commissioner for his autograph on this Sports Illustrated ad. He went to check with someone, and came back with some bad news. He said that I couldn't do that.

I was disappointed, but completely understood. After all, who am I to the NFL commissioner? Patrick did say that if I did approach him to ask for an autograph, I would have been escorted out pretty fast! Security being what it is, I could certainly understand why the answer was no. I figured if that was the worst thing to happen in our time there, that wouldn't be too bad.

Being presented the award from Mr. Mariucci, and getting my picture taken with him and Commissioner Goodell was a thrill! To hear Mariucci actually say that I was teaching in Fayetteville, NY was exciting! Here in NYC, they were being told of my little elementary school.

After getting the award, there was the customary photo shoot. I've never had photographers tell me to look at them before. It was kind of fun to have a little paparazzi action, if just for a few moments. I was able to find this presentation on YouTube. I saved it to my web site at school to share with my students.

While we were walking out afterwards, something really nice happened. You see, during this whole event there were vendor booths set up all over the place related to the NFL specifically, and to football in general. By the exit, some young ladies at a booth yelled over to us "Go 'Cuse!" It seemed they were from the Syracuse area as well; Liverpool, NY to be exact. When they heard during the presentation that I was from Fayetteville, NY, they said they were whooping it up yelling "Go 'Cuse!" I guess that even in a place as big as New York City, it's still a small world!

The next night at the draft was something I will never forget. Just walking up to Radio City Music Hall and seeing the red carpet for the draftees, and the mobile sets all set up for all the television broadcasts taking place, was a sight to behold. Once we went through security and actually got in, there was so much to see. The Vince Lombardi Trophy was on display, as were Super Bowl rings from past games. I was wearing a Buffalo Bills shirt and was immediately able to make friends with other Bills fans there, all decked out in Bills jerseys and hats.

Once in our seats in the balcony, we walked to the front row to get a look at both the NFL Network and ESPN sets. I was able to see Steve Mariucci again, this time hard at work with last minute preparations for their draft broadcast.

As the Bills 1st round selection was up, my heart sank. They announced that they had traded their pick. My first thought was that I was here, for a once in a lifetime chance to witness the NFL Draft, and my Buffalo Bills will trade out of the 1st round! I couldn't believe it.

I quickly felt a bit better when they announced that they traded down to a later 1st round pick. I was going to see it after all. When they announced their pick as EJ Manuel from Florida State, I wasn't sure how to react. Being from Central New York, I am also a Syracuse University fan. I have seen how Doug Marrone had turned the SU program around to the point where they could expect to compete with almost any program in the country. My faith is in him to do the same thing with my Bills.

Sitting in front of us were some Jets, Giants, and Raiders fans, all decked out in team colors. The Raiders fan was even complete with silver chains and spikes on his jersey along with a Darth Vader Mask and Light Saber. One thing that did bother me about that night was how the fans treated Commissioner Goodell. They booed him mercilessly each time he got to the podium to announce a pick. It got to the point where it was beyond vulgar. I don't know how he takes it. I do suppose that it comes with the territory, but it got hard to listen to after a while. I understand that NFL fans are a passionate group, but this was too much.

All in all, Patrick Sommers, Shannon Smith, Steve Mariucci and Roger Goodell were wonderful people to meet. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did for my wife and I during our time in NYC! They all made it very special for us. It was truly something I will never forget.

One thing this whole experience did for me was to remind me of what I am responsible for with all of my students. Getting this award was certainly nice, and humbly appreciated. It went on to remind me that, award or not, I am in a position with my students to deliver the best physical education program that I can. They deserve that from me. I figure that if I do my job well enough, I become obsolete to my students. I would have given them all that they need from me in order to move onto middle school, and continue to learn to enjoy moving and all the benefits that come from that.

As I begin to prepare for the upcoming school year, I will keep this thought close to my heart.

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