MPS educator named Midwest PE Teacher of the Year

MILWAUKEE (November 7, 2014) – Wisconsin’s top elementary physical education teacher for 2014 — Gail Milbrath of Milwaukee Public Schools’ Greenfield Bilingual School — just learned she’s in line for an even higher honor.

Gail Milbrath is also the Midwest PE Teacher of the Year for 2015!

The word from the national Society of Health and Physical Educators or SHAPE America came less than a week after Milbrath was recognized for her state honor at the Wisconsin Health and Physical Education (WHPE) annual convention.

Two other MPS educators were honored at the WHPE event. Brett Fuller, MPS curriculum specialist for health, physical education and safe and supportive schools, was named president of WHPE. And Erika Minzlaff, who teachers PE at MPS’ Dr. Benjamin Carson Academy of Science, was one of just two “Promising Professionals” honored by the group.

The SHAPE America Midwest District recognition for Milbrath means she is in the running to be named national educator of the year.

“We are honored to have one of the best physical education teachers in the country at Greenfield Bilingual School,” MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver said.

Milbrath, a third-generation MPS graduate, says she was drawn to teaching to give back to her community and to bring as many resources as possible to her students. She focuses on continuous professional development and volunteering on professional committees both in the physical education community and at the school, district and state level.

“The staff I have worked with at Greenfield Bilingual have been very inspirational to me in my quest to continually pursue new ideas and programs for our students and families. I care deeply about my students and school community and hope to continue educating them about fitness and healthy nutrition,” she said.

Fuller, the MPS PE curriculum specialist, noted that Milbrath’s win marked the second straight year an MPS educator won WHPE Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

“Ms. Milbrath and the other teachers recognized are an example of the great physical education teachers we have working with our students,” he said. “I am honored to be working with them!”

MPS has added more than 140 art, music and PE specialist teacher positions over the past three years.

About Milwaukee Public Schools

Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district’s commitment to improvement continues to show results:

• More MPS students are meeting reading standards
• The MPS Class of 2014 earned $31 million in scholarships, up $7 million; and
• MPS is home to 4 of the state’s top 15 high schools according to U.S. News and World Report

Learn more about MPS by visiting http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/About-MPS.htm. More MPS news is available at http://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/news.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.