Stewart Creek Elementary School’s PE Coach, David Vaughn was awarded the 2023 PE Coach of the Year at the annual Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) this week.
“Receiving this award is the greatest honor I could ever hope for,” Vaughn said. “I love the unique opportunity I have to watch my students grow from Kindergarten through fifth grade and the privilege I have to lead children every day in how to improve their listening, communication, teamwork, fitness, health and problem-solving skills in a fun, positive environment. Being a PE teacher is the most rewarding profession in the world.”
Stewart Creek families and students have been fortunate to have Coach Vaughn leading the gym for 16 years. Vaughn has also served as Lead PE Teacher for Montgomery ISD for 13 years, supporting and representing his colleagues at district meetings with the superintendent, curriculum designers and parents. In this role, Vaughn also organizes district-wide events, including the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, American Heart Association events and the MISD Cup-Stacking contest.
“Coach Vaughn is a fabulous asset to our campus, not just as a PE teacher, but also as an incredible role model for our students,” Stewart Creek Principal, Michele Salter said. “His gym is an atmosphere full of engaging activities and relationships being built, with students overcoming challenges, improving their skills and finding joy in being active. His leadership in our district is a blessing!”
Vaughn is currently working his 33rd year as an Elementary PE Teacher and though it’s his third time to be nominated for TAHPERD Teacher of the Year, it’s only his first to be eligible and then ultimately selected as the winner of this award. His experience with TAHPERD includes serving as Awards-Committee Chairman, Physical Education and General Division Vice-President and PE Section Chair, volunteering as a member of the convention planning team three times.
“I love getting to show off my PE program as often as possible,” Vaughn said. “Through presenting at TAHPERD and sharing my knowledge and experience with others, to inviting people into my gym as guest participants, there’s so much to be proud of when these kids find a love for movement and physical activity.”
Coach Vaughn believes that the best way to instill a love of movement in his students is to lead by example, ensuring that he is participating with them and also modeling an active lifestyle with healthy behaviors and attitudes. If his students are working on push-ups, you will find him on the floor doing them too. In his 30s, Vaughn was a jump rope competitor and is a 13-time National Jump Rope Champion in speed, freestyle, and double-dutch, setting an age division speed record. Since wrapping up his competitive jumping days, Vaughn is now a marathon and distance runner.
“I love to share my experience with my students and what I’ve learned most through my lifetime of personal fitness and competition,” Vaughn said. “I’m able to speak to the importance of encouragement, communication and teamwork, not just in competition, but throughout life, in work and in family.”
Stewart Creek Elementary students are taught dancing through Vaughn’s PE program, with a full day of performances each year on Go Texan Day for families to attend. Students spend the start of a new year learning everything from classic square dancing to the most current line dance trends and fifth graders are invited to learn additional dances and perform for all audiences. The success of Vaughn’s Go Texan Day has spilled over into the community as he now teaches line dancing to the Montgomery County Cotillion at their annual glass slipper event and has presented his Go Texan Day at the TAHPERD Annual Convention and Summer Conference.
“The one event I am most proud of and love teaching to my students is Go Texan Day,” Vaughn said. “My students learn as many as 10-12 dances and all parents are invited to attend. Watching them develop from year to year and the way the entire campus gets excited about this annual tradition is very rewarding.”
Vaughn believes it’s important to build lifelong relationships with his students and keeps himself involved in the community so his students can see his commitment goes beyond the gym. He is often attending games to cheer on his students when they share their schedules and is thankful for the opportunities to encourage his students outside of school. He also works Friday Night Lights as the Montgomery ISD football announcer for all Lion and Bear home games and can be found around town volunteering as a youth sports referee and coach.
Each May in Montgomery ISD, graduating seniors are invited to walk the halls of their elementary school in their cap and gown, visiting former teachers. Former SCE students find joy in visiting the gym, as Coach Vaughn pulls out the class parachute and leads the students in their favorite games from elementary school.
“I get to see these kids at the end of their time in the district and bring them back to their childhood for a short time,” Vaughn said. “These 17 and 18 year olds turn back into 2nd graders right in front of my eyes and the joy on their face makes me feel like I must have done something right in their lives. It’s such and honor and privilege to do this job every day!”
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