Alumna Named N.C. High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year

The North Carolina Society of Health and Physical Educators (NC SHAPE) has named Amanda Browning, ’04, the North Carolina High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

As a presenter for the 2019 SHAPE National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Browning has served as a role model for physical educators across the country.

In her role as the health and physical education teacher at Weaver Academy in Guilford County, she provides her students with a safe, inclusive learning environment where they can develop their skills and abilities to lead healthy, active lifestyles. Not only does Browning teach her students to take care of their bodies and stay healthy, she also equips them with important skills in refusal, decision making, advocacy, coping, stress management, and goal setting.

This focus on empowering students to have a holistic view of their wellness and make informed health decisions is what made Browning a leader in Guilford County for physical education. Her curriculum has been adopted county-wide and has received recognition at the university level as well.

Currently, she is working with UNC-Greensboro on developing their “Science of Essential Balance” high school curriculum.

In addition to teaching and curriculum development, Browning serves as the Interact Club faculty advisor at Weaver, a service-learning club for students sponsored by the Crescent Rotary Club. She organizes an annual art festival for students with special needs and collaborates with students to plan an annual school-wide walk and fundraiser event to promote heart health.

“I have the organizational skills to plan and implement school-wide events,” said Browning. “And seeing students and families active and engaged in physical activities is something I’m always proud to see.”

Browning attributes her success as an educator partly to her professors and peers at Meredith. “The small learning community of women allowed me to come out of my shell and develop strong leadership skills,” she said. “My professors made sure I had plenty of hands-on experiences so that I felt prepared when stepping into my own classroom after graduation.”

The former Meredith soccer player specifically chose physical education as a career path because of her positive experience as a student-athlete at both the high school and collegiate level. “I saw the positive impact that physical activity had on not just my physical health but on my social, emotional, and mental health as well,” she said. “I wanted to teach young people habits that will improve their health and well-being for a lifetime.”