LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Joanne Duke was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Duke knows that physical education is more than just playing sports and exercising - it's about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can thrive. A two-time nominee for Maine's Teacher of the Year award, she understands that a positive PE environment starts with clear expectations and routines that help students feel safe and confident. This includes establishing consistent warm-up procedures, setting up equipment properly, and creating fair teams that give everyone a chance to participate.

As a PE teacher, Ms. Duke focuses on celebrating individual progress rather than comparing students to each other, which helps build self-esteem and motivation. Another key aspect of fostering a positive PE environment is incorporating diverse activities that appeal to students with different interests and abilities. This means offering both competitive and non-competitive options, tailoring activities to students with varying physical abilities, and introducing sports and games from various cultures. 

Ms. Duke also models good sportsmanship, encourages peer support, and uses positive reinforcement to acknowledge students' efforts and improvements. When students feel respected and supported, they're more likely to engage actively in physical education and develop lifelong healthy habits.