Bev Johnstone

Bev Johnstone was born, raised, educated and spent her entire career as a proud physical educator in Halifax. She is a graduate of (original) Halifax West High School, received her Bachelor of Physical Education from Dalhousie University and two Masters degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University where she went on to become a part-time instructor in the Department of Education and Child Studies. Bev and her husband Greg have been married 41 years and have three adult children. Very early in her teaching career, Bev recognized the value in supporting organizations like TAPHE and became involved in the TAPHE executive as secretary and vice-president and served as a regional representative for Halifax for many years. She was also a member of CIRA, PHE Canada and AAPHERD. During Bev’s thirty-four year teaching career she was NOT a gym teacher she was a proud physical education specialist. She has extensive coaching experience achieving great success with her students in many sports.

Although Bev had several opportunities to move into the administrative realm, it was her classroom…. THE GYMNASIUM……. that she felt she could have the greatest impact. Bev took great pride in developing curriculum support materials, creating effective assessment and classroom management strategies. It was very important to her, that every student was able to achieve the outcomes in a fun and exciting way with the ultimate goal of her students being equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to be confident and “physically literate”…… with a desire to be physically active for life. There achievements were regularly displayed on the walls of the gymnasium and ultimately into their personal portfolios. These portfolios began when they entered the gymnasium in primary and presented to them after seven years as their “physical education history graduation gift of achievement” when they graduated or went with their records when they moved to another school.

In the course of her career, Bev has developed a great depth and breadth of the role and the importance of physical education in the public school system. She has participated in and has made major contributions at many levels of our education system. She has done work on behalf of:

* Her own schools

* Nova Scotia Teachers Union

* Halifax Regional School Board

* Halifax Regional Municipality

* N.S. Depart. of Education

* Province of Nova Scotia

* TAPHE

* PHE Canada

Examples of some of Bev’s contributions for which she is proud and we are grateful:

* She was a team member who reviewed and revised the N.S.Foundation Document for Jr High Health; N.S. Physical Education Safety Document;

N.S. Foundation Document for Elem. Physical Education

and helped write the Elementary Physical Education Curriculum used from 1997-2014.

* A member of the HRSB Elementary Physical Education Curriculum Implementation Team

* A founding member of the Physical Education Leadership Team.

* A mentor teacher to many physical education students from several universities.

* A committee member for PACY …..“Physically Active Children and Youth Study” and the “Active Kids Healthy Kids Strategy”

* Member on the Report Card committee representing physical education teachers in developing effective physical education assessment and reporting strategies to pilot the then, NEW computer generated report cards

* Called upon regularly to provide professional development, in elementary physical education and cross-curricular in-servicing on a board by board request basis

Some of Bev’s other achievements are:

* Participated in the organization of TAPHE and PHE conferences

* She introduced the Jump Rope for Heart program into the schools of N.S.

* FOUNDER of: 1. PAPE – Parents Association For Physical Education

2.DMBA – Dartmouth Minor Basketball Association

3.BELTS – Beaufort Elem Leadership Team for Students

* In 2012, Bev was the recipient of the Dorothy G. Walker Award which honours a teacher, supervisor, and/or administrator who has made a notable contribution to the development of physical and health education in Nova Scotia

* In 2013, Bev was inducted, as a fellow, into the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals for her outstanding contribution to the profession

Since Bev’s retirement in March 2011:

* she has formed a consulting company called InMotion Consulting which provides elementary physical education professional development services to school boards and other agencies.

* Bev has taken up curling, tries to get to the gym everyday, works hard in her vegetable and flower gardens, enjoys making preserves and doing crafts. She enjoys catching up with her reading, getting together with friends and family…… especially in the middle of the day :)

Bev is a passionate educator who has inspired her students and colleagues alike. The city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia owes her a debt of gratitude for her efforts on behalf of our profession and our children. It is with great pleasure that TAPHE puts Bev Johnstone’s name forward for induction into the TAPHE Hugh A Noble Hall of Honour.