Millwood PE teacher celebrated for her impact on students in and out of the gym
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A physical education teacher at Millwood Elementary School is helping enrich students’ lives in and outside of the gym. Now, she’s getting recognized for going above and beyond.
TaKesha Watson was a star basketball player at Millwood before ending up in the Hall of Fame at Oklahoma City University. Now, she’s back at Millwood pouring into her students.
However, she wants her legacy to be her free shoe closet in the gym. It’s for her PE students who need a new pair of kicks.
“I want to feed the needy, not the greedy,” said Watson.
It started when she gave a self-conscious and aggressive student a new pair of shoes. She said it changed his attitude.
“You look good, you feel good, you walk in, and you do your work,” said Watson.
With the help of the community, the shoe closet has grown. Someone even donated a pair of Kobe’s.
Shoes don’t stay in the closet for long.
“She’ll have like baby shoes for pre-k [students], bigger sizes for the older 5th and 6th graders,” said Maxwell Orange.
“She helps the need in this school,” said Jeremiah McFadden.
That’s not her only impact. Students said they not only exercise during PE, but also learn.
“Like math, reading,” said McFadden. “She puts the math reading in other games.”
“I’ll have cones with numbers on them. I’ll spread them out, and then I’ll say, ‘Four times two!’ And then you had to find the number with, you know, the number,” said Watson. “They’re running and exercising, and now they’re competitive with math.”
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Friday, they were recognized in a surprise school assembly and with a gift from OG&E.
“We are honoring her today as the December OG&E Power Educator of the Month,” said Kelli Hayward Walsh. “We’re also giving her a ‘DonorsChoose’ gift card of $500.”
Coach Watson doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but when she’s recognized, her fans go all out with chanting and dancing.
“She’s really like, fun and amazing,” said Dillon Isaac, one of her students.
“I do it for the kids. And I do it because I love them and I want to see them succeed,” said Watson.
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