For Immediate Release

Contactn@psesd.org?subject=Teacher%20of%20the%20Year%202019">:Janine Thorn

June 12, 2019

Reid Sunblad has been selected as the 2020 Regional Teacher of the Year, announced Puget Sound Educational Service District!  He will be recognized during the school assembly to be held Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Mr.Sundblad teaches 8th grade physical education at his alma mater, Chinook Middle School in Highline Public Schools. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he coaches track and field, cross country, runs an after-school weight training club in the off seasons, and is the founder and mentor of an all-boys group advisory, Los Siete. 

Reid's approach to teaching centers on building meaningful relationships that last even beyond middle school. He works hard to ensure that both his past and present students are heard, valued, and respected, and that they achieve their educational and personal goals. Reid also serves as:  Chinook Middle School health and physical education department chair; an Instructional Leadership Team member; a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team member; and a Highline secondary leadership team member for physical education and health.

As Regional Teacher of the Year, Sunblad will attend a weekend-long leadership retreat, share his inspiring educator story and his expertise and experience with a variety of communities, and advocate for educational issues that are most important to him.  Mr. Sunblad is now qualified as a candidate for the Washington State Teacher of the Year, which will be announced by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in the fall.  Congratulations, Mr. Sunblad!

Bio Reid provided:

Reid Sundblad teaches 8th grade physical education at his alma mater, Chinook Middle School, in SeaTac. Returning to the community he grew up in, Reid works tirelessly to instill in his students the importance of lifelong health and wellness, all while having fun doing so. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Reid also coaches track and field, cross country, runs an afterschool weight training club in the off seasons, and is the founder and mentor of an all-boys group, Los Siete. 

For his efforts, both in and out of the classroom, Reid has received numerous accolades from various local organizations, and well as media attention for his work. He was named a "Hero in the Classroom" by the Seattle Seahawks in 2016, and was named outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Highline Schools Foundation in 2018. He has been featured on local television news stations, and was the feature for a story on KUOW, all for his work with Los Siete. Outside of the classroom, Reid serves as Chinook's health and physical education department chair; as Instructional Leadership Team member; as a PBIS team member; and on his district's secondary leadership team for physical education and health. Reid's approach to teaching

centers on building meaningful relationships that last even beyond the two years he teaches students at the middle school level. Every other week, Reid spends his planning period at the local high school where he continues his mentoring

relationships with students to help ensure their success in high school. He works hard to ensure that both his past and present students are heard, valued, and respected, and that they achieve their educational and personal goals.

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