Sagle teacher named School Champion

Sagle Elementary School teacher Nancy Nelson was named First Class School Champion recently at a surprise assembly, becoming the first school employee in the Lake Pend Oreille School District to win the award sponsored by Numerica Credit Union.

Nelson, a physical education teacher, has been teaching since the 1980s.

Second-grader Sarah Wells nominated Nelson because of the healthy activities that Nelson teaches the students.

“She helps us have a healthy life by (exercising) us,” Wells wrote in her nomination essay. “Running us around is a good way to help our hearts.”

“I think most of my second grade class likes P.E. because most of the time my class says ‘I wish it were P.E. today’ or ‘Is it P.E. today?’ ” Wells wrote. “That’s why Ms. Nelson inspires me for (a) school (nomination).”

After completing her education at the University of California at Irvine and at California State College in Fullerton, Nelson taught pre-school, kindergarten, first grade and second grade. She made the move to physical education in 1995 and has been the P.E. teacher at Sagle Elementary since.

The First Class School Champion Award is given every month through May. Students can nominate their favorite school employee who works within North Idaho. A committee will select a winner once a month.

Nelson received $100 to be used at the school or in her department, along with a plaque, gift bag and a $45 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse.For her effort Wells received $25, a bag of goodies, two Silverwood Theme Park passes and will be entered into a drawing for an Apple iPod, along with all other students who submitted a nomination essay. The drawing will be held at the end of the school year.

Nomination forms can be found at the school offices or online at www.numericacu.com.