Growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., Matthew Golonka was really into sports. At the time, the Bills and Sabres were top nationally revered franchises out of Western New York in football and hockey, respectively. “Sports were a constant part of my life,” Golonka, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) content specialist for health and physical education (PE), said. He was the kid in the neighborhood who organized street hockey and football games, “or whatever game we could come up with,” he said.
His knack for organization and supporting others led to Golonka being recently recognized by the Society of Health & Physical Educators (SHAPE) Maryland with a presidential citation. The accolade is given to educators who play a significant role in the development of PE and health education for students in kindergarten through Grade 12.
While in high school working on a school-based service learning project, Golonka was an assistant coach for a bantam ice hockey team of players ages 12 to 14. “That experience gave me a firsthand look at how much impact you can have working with kids,” he said.
Golonka’s mother, a teacher, also inspired him. “I went into education largely influenced by my mom, who spent her entire career in the field,” he said.
Golonka came to CCPS in 2005 and has spent the past two decades with the school system. He began as a middle school PE teacher first at General Smallwood Middle School, now known as Glymont, then Theodore G. Davis Middle School before moving to the role of content specialist.
“Like being a teacher, a content specialist wears many hats, and every day is busy and different,” he said. Golonka oversees health and PE content for students in prekindergarten to Grade 12. While most of his day-to-day responsibilities involve supporting staff members, ultimately what he does trickles down to students. “I see its impact on student learning through the resources, curriculum and professional learning I develop and implement,” he said.
PE helps students develop physical literacy, make sound decisions about their health, and work on self-management and personal responsibility. “When health and PE are taught to meet grade-level outcomes, students are better able to focus, regulate emotions, build confidence and make choices that support positive outcomes which supports growth and learning in the classroom and equips students for a healthy future,” Golonka said.
More SHAPE news
Jillian Genua, physical education teacher at T.C. Martin Elementary, was named the State Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year’s by SHAPE Maryland.
Three CCPS physical education teachers were honored with the Simon A. McNeely Award.
CCPS aquatics manager Amy Robinson takes over the role of SHAPE Maryland President as Valeri Cheseldine, former Eva Turner Elementary School PE teacher, exits the position.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).