Johnson Elementary Physical Education Teacher Kim Lewis has retired after 31 years of teaching at Harrison County Schools; 17 years at Nutter Fort Elementary and 14 at JES.

 

She continues to love her students and the skills they have acquired in her class. In fact, just last week, she took students to the National Marble Tournament at Wildwood, New Jersey.

 

But the time just seemed right for retiring.

 

“You just never know what’s going to hit you health wise and I want to be able to do things I want to do,” Lewis said. “We have a camp at Big Bear and I’d like to spend more time up there and possibly travel the state of West Virginia- visiting all the state parks. I’d also like to help my sister at her beauty shop and maybe do some babysitting.”

 

And it’s quite likely that Lewis will do some substitute teaching, staying close to a career that has been very special to her. She shared the inspiration behind her teaching career choice.

 

In the mid-1970s, Lewis - then named Kim Short - was an athlete at South Harrison High School, playing basketball, volleyball and running track for the Hawks. She was even selected to participate in the Track Hall of Fame Meet in her event - the 100-yard dash. 

 

During those years, her physical education teacher inspired her to be the best version of herself and to become anything she wanted to be.

 

It seemed obvious. Her siblings were also athletes. Keeping kids in good physical condition and offering them opportunities to compete and excel was what she wanted to do with her life. She went on to receive a degree in education from Glenville State College, where played collegiate sport – basketball, volleyball and track. Her athletic abilities were recognized with a prestigious award.

“I was the only woman to ever receive the Montrose Award at Glenville,” she said. “They usually gave it to a male, but they kept voting and it was a tie. So, they gave it to both of us.”

 

While teaching physical education in Harrison County Schools, Lewis incorporated several special events, activities and skill-building opportunities.

 

Marble shooting, the Punt, Pass and Kick contest, International cup stacking day, Jump Rope for Heart, and Hoop Shoot contest, among others.

 

“It just gives more kids a chance to be involved in activities different from basic kickball, whiffle ball and I think it’s important not only to get as many students involved as possible, but also to get parents involved.”

In some of those activities, students advanced to impressive levels of competition.

 

“I had one kid go to nationals two years in a row with the hoop shoot contest,” Lewis said.

 

That student was Gabe Zummo who went on to play varsity basketball at Notre Dame High School. The Irish played in the Class A championship this year in Charleston.

 

Emily Riggs, a 2019 BHS graduate, once took second place in the national Punt, Pass and Kick competition. A highly-decorated BHS softball and basketball player, Riggs will play basketball this fall at Fairmont State University.

 

Lewis admits that her first 13 years at Johnson Elementary were challenging, since the school utilized one space for the cafeteria and gymnasium. She often lugged equipment to the school hallway or outside to Wayne Jamison Field – which she loved using for her physical education classes and testing. The past year has been a pleasure teaching in the new gym of the brand new school.

 

That new gymnasium almost inspired her to wait another year and a half to retire. But she feels seeds have been planted and – who knows – there may even be some budding physical education teachers.

 

In addition to teaching, Lewis coached volleyball and baskeball on the middle school level and track at Lincoln High School for eight years. She also officiated volleyball for 33 years on the middle school, high school and college levels and officiated basketball for six years. 

 

JES Principal Vicki Huffman said Lewis has been a valuable asset to the school and its students. 

 

"Kim has touched the lives of many students while being at Johnson Elementary," she said. "She also did a lot of community outreach with Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart - now called Kids Heart Chalenge. She, along with many students, parents and community members have contributed over $125,000 in the last 12 years. She loved the students and taught them the importance of healthy bodies. She will be missed."

 

Lewis plans to spend plenty of time with family, including her 31-year-old son Dennis and several siblings.Dennis was also an athlete, plahing basketball, track, cross country and football.