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Moriches Elementary’s Ed Noll named 2020 ‘Physical Education Teacher of the Year’

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Ed Noll

Moriches Elementary School physical education teacher Ed Noll has been named the 2020 Suffolk Zone Elementary “Physical Education Teacher of the Year” by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, an honor reserved for those who demonstrate excellence in teaching and overall performance in the discipline of physical education, the William Floyd School District announced.

Noll, who has served as an elementary school physical education teacher at Moriches Elementary School for the past 12 years, as well as the head coach for the boys’ varsity cross country, winter track and spring track programs during that same timeframe, was selected for his “passion, ambition and strong work ethic in teaching his students physical education” and for “emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork and respect.”

During his tenure, Noll has taught elementary students, mentored 12 student teachers and serving as the high school varsity coach for boys’ cross country and track programs, sharing his knowledge and passion for the sport with multiple all-league, all-county, all-state, scholar-athletes and state-champion student-athletes.

Noll received three separate nominations for this award, including one by a former student teacher and two by NYS AHPERD committee members. One letter of recommendation states, “Noll always reminds his students that physical education class is not always about winning but doing the best they can while trying their hardest. Noll not only teaches to the standards of physical education, but teaches his students lifelong lessons that they will be able to use outside of the classroom.”

Joanne Hamilton, Suffolk Zone Professional Awards Committee chairperson, added, “Ed has helped each student-teacher he has mentored grow as educators as he provides both positive feedback and constructive criticism. His passion and desire for his students to bring out the best versions of themselves and being physically literate should be embodied by all educators in the field.”

Noll, a lifelong William Floyd Colonial, attended William Floyd schools K-12 including Moriches Elementary School, John S. Hobart Elementary School, William Paca Middle School and William Floyd High School, where he was an all-county student-athlete and captain of the football team. He is a graduate of the William Floyd High School Class of 1999. 

After high school, he was recruited to play football for Wagner College, for whom he played four years of lacrosse and served as team captain. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in health sciences. He also received his master’s degree in physical education from Adelphi University.

Noll expressed his gratitude toward Moriches Elementary principal Deirdre Redding for her strong belief in the benefits that physical education has on students and also thanked his colleagues from across the district, as well as his fellow coaches.

“I have always put everything I have into my planning and teaching [in an effort] to make physical education the most enjoyable and exciting experience for my students,” said Noll, who stressed the importance of building relationships with students and helping them to “find the fun in physical education class, as well as realize the benefits of health and wellness” in their lives.

Noll added, “As a former student, and now a teacher at Moriches Elementary School, it has always been rewarding to see so many smiles on the faces of my students. I have enjoyed seeing them succeed as they venture through their elementary experience and move on to middle school knowing we have built a strong foundation.”

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