Shining the spotlight on the role that phys. ed. teachers play in the development of students, a few teachers now have some hardware to show off.

Four teachers from the Chinook School Division received the 2018 - 2019 Quality Daily Physical Education award, recognizing their physical education programs that also adhere to curriculum guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.

Lindsey Binner of Frontier School, Ian Rewcastle from Hodgeville School, Brienna Gillanders teaching at O.M. Irwin Middle School, and Jennifer Foley at Shaunavon High School all qualified for the award.

A reward for the award came in the form of a showcase plaque for each school the teachers work at.

Gillanders teaches kindergarten to grade 3 phys. ed., grade eight phys. ed., in addition to grade eight homeroom.

She said it was great to be recognized by the Saskatchewan Physical Education Association and the Saskatchewan Games Council, who gave out the awards.

"It is a great feeling. I feel that we do an excellent job at O.M. Irwin providing daily instruction for our [grade] K-8 students for physical education, and it's great to be recognized for what we do here."

She said that one big component of her teaching style was encouraging kids to be active in class, and take that physical activity outside of the classroom to be able to live happy healthy lives in, and outside of, the classroom.

"Physical education is great for the mind, it's great for the body, and it's also great for the spirit. Not only does it help them stay healthy, but it also helps them in the classroom with the academic setting as well."

The Irwin teacher said she tried to craft fun lessons while staying within the curriculum in an effort to help promote life-long physical activity.

Gillanders added she is glad to see that, not only her class was recognized with the award, but that three others within the Chinook School Division were as well.