SHAPE Vermont, also known as the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Vermont, annually honors Vermont physical educators across various content areas.

A Boston native, Kelson received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Johnson State College.

“I used to work at a summer camp (in high school), and I knew one of the counselors who was a P.E. teacher in Florida who spent his summers at the camp here in Vermont,” Kelson said. “I’ve always been into athletics and have always played sports, so I thought that was awesome.”

Kelson ultimately went on to pursue his master’s, and after several part-time positions at different schools, he ended up as the P.E. teacher at Castleton Elementary School 15 years ago.

“For five years, I was at the elementary level. Then I moved to the middle school for five years, and then I’ve been here (at the high school) for five years,” Kelson said.

Reflecting on his career in Slate Valley, Kelson said he is most proud of his work running a Lifetime Activities program at the middle and elementary schools, as well as his work helping to establish the high school’s Outdoor Pursuits program.

Started three years ago, the Outdoor Pursuits class pairs physical education with science and math education for an alternative P.E. experience. “It’s for kids who don’t want to do the gym thing in a classroom with competitiveness and would rather do things outside,” Kelson said. “We do rock climbing and canoeing. We taught them how to use maps and compasses just recently and did a 4-mile bushwack hike.”

FHUHS Principal Ben Worthing said the outdoor education program has deeply engaged students, adding that it has given Kelson an opportunity to take a leadership role in ensuring it is a strong, unique program. “Trevor has been an amazing addition to our school,” Worthing said. “He has a calm demeanor and has built amazing relationships with kids. He’s taken on some leadership roles. Other teachers look to him as a role model. He’s just a fantastic person.”

Slate Valley Unified Union School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Casey O’Meara said Kelson has always been known to wear various hats within the district.

“I saw him doing more than just what I thought, potentially, a P.E. teacher would do at a rural school,” O’Meara said. “When I came to the district, I recognized him as someone who had a willingness to participate in things not only in his ... content area, but also in other things.”

O’Meara said the Outdoor Pursuits program offers students a unique experience to explore things like tree tapping, plant identification, outdoor sports and more. “It’s really a dream for me to see in a public school, as a director of curriculum, that students have these opportunities,” O’Meara said.

In his spare time, Kelson said he enjoys skiing with his family at Pico, enjoying the outdoors, and taking the occasional family cross-country road trip in his camper.

“At the high school level, P.E. and exercise are scheduled into (students’) day. They don’t have to think about when they’re going to work out, exercise or be active,” Kelson said. “What I always tell them is when they graduate, they’re going to have to find time. And that’s really hard to do. So, exploring different types of activities and finding something that you really enjoy is super important.”

sophia.buckley-clement

@rutlandherald.com