I chose to work at the App State lab schools because I wanted to be part of something I felt would be extremely innovative for education in our community. What App State is creating and achieving, first at Middle Fork and now at Elkin, aligns with my professional goals as an educator.
Robin Phelps aka Coach P, originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, earned a B.A. in physical education from Emory and Henry College in 2008. Coach P has served as the Academy at Middle Fork’s physical education teacher since the school opened in 2018 and now serves in the same role at both Appalachian State University lab schools, Academy at Middle Fork and Academy at Elkin. Read on to learn more:
Why did you choose to work at the App State lab schools?
I chose to work at the App State lab schools because I wanted to be part of something I felt would be extremely innovative for education in our community. What App State is creating and achieving, first at Middle Fork and now at Elkin, aligns with my professional goals as an educator.
After discussing the mission statement and school commitments with the Academy at Middle Fork Administration team, I sensed working at the school would allow me to make a greater impact on student's lives.
What's your favorite part about working at the App State lab schools?
My favorite part about working at the lab schools is feeling like I work with "family." I look forward to and enjoy coming to work every day. I love how everyone on staff supports one another, and I know my colleagues would help me professionally and also personally.
We laugh together. We cry together. We persevere together. And we ALWAYS come together to provide a quality whole-child education to every mini-Mountaineer who crosses our path.
How are you impacting education in your community?
I have made it a point to infuse math and science into my PE lessons. Sports and fitness involve the movement and manipulation of our bodies and objects, which aligns with numerous science units about motion.
Furthermore, we see the usage of geometry and mathematical operations throughout various sports. I strive to help my students recognize this connection in order to reiterate the importance of learning these subjects. I also teach all of our students the anatomical names of the human bones.
What was your favorite subject when you were in elementary school?
Math and Science
The App State lab schools have a reading literacy focus. What is your favorite book?
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
“Learning together” is a core commitment of the App State lab schools. What does "learning together" mean to you?
To me, “learning together” means that our students aren't the only ones learning at school — learning must continually happen from the top, the administration and teachers, and trickle down to the students.
I also think it means understanding that sometimes the teacher can become the student and the student can become the teacher. Ultimately, learning together is growing together.
Describe an experience where you "learned together" at the App State lab schools.
App State lab school teachers have many opportunities to learn and expand their knowledge in their respective subjects, specialties, or grade levels and use that understanding to better serve our student population.
Just for fun, what is your favorite candy?
Nestle Crunch Fun Size
Robin "Coach P" Phelps
