Jillian Genua’s classroom — the gymnasium of T.C. Martin Elementary School — is a safe space for children to try, it’s not a place for quitting.

“When you lose, you don’t give up,” Kali Grigsby, a second-grade student said. “If you give up, you lose your chance to win.”

It’s a lesson Martin students strive to model in Genua’s classroom, a lesson she hopes they carry into other parts of their lives.

It is her commitment to students that led to Genua being named the 2025 Maryland Elementary Teacher of the Year by SHAPE Maryland, a state organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness among students in kindergarten to Grade 12.

Genua loves to see the curiosity of her students coupled with excitement and joy. “My favorite part of being a PE teacher is knowing every student in the school and being able to share my love of movement with them,” she said.

Matt Golonka, content specialist for physical education with CCPS, said Genua can connect with students while promoting high-quality physical education.

“She is a passionate and innovative educator who creates inclusive, engaging experiences that inspire students to enjoy movement, build confidence and develop lifelong healthy habits,” he said.

During recent classes, Martin students learned about balance. Teaming up into pairs, students took turns scaling the gym’s climbing wall to retrieve slips of paper that had a variety of balancing exercises written on them. The levels of the exercises went from easy to “super challenging.” Students balanced on one foot for several seconds, practiced different yoga postures and other poses.

At the end of a recent class, Genua asked first-grade students what they thought about the balance lesson.

“What did you think about it when it was more challenging,” she asked.

“Some of them were tricky,” Maximus Lilly said.

“But when it was harder, it was more fun,” Paige Goldey added.

Genua’s classes are usually fun, students and staff agreed. “Mrs. Genua brings a joyful spirit to everything she does,” Martin Principal Ethel Hosendorf said. “In the gym she creates a safe, inclusive and engaging environment where students feel empowered to move, play and grow.”

“She brings energy, creativity and expertise to her classroom, making lessons meaningful while fostering teamwork, respect and empathy,” Golonka said.

Genua said movement has been a constant in her life which led to her heading to college with the idea of studying corporate wellness with the intention of getting a degree in movement science. After seeing her working with kids during a summer camp, a professor suggested she explore physical education as a career. “I’ve always loved working with kids,” Genua said.

Genua is a 20-year teaching veteran, having spent the past five years at Martin. Save for four years teaching in Calvert County Public Schools, Genua has spent her career with Charles County Public Schools, all as a PE teacher.

Prior to coming to Martin, Genua taught at John Hanson Middle School for a year and at J.P. Ryon Elementary School for a decade.

She doesn’t hide away in Martin’s gym. “Mrs. Genua is a visible and enthusiastic presence throughout the school,” Hosendorf said. “Whether she’s cheering students on during events, collaborating with colleagues or leading the planning for schoolwide events, she constantly models positivity and professionalism.”

SHAPE Maryland is the state chapter for SHAPE America, an organization founded in 1885, that provides programs and resources to PE and health professionals while advocating for inclusive, active and healthier school cultures.

Each year, SHAPE Maryland names teachers of the year in the areas of adapted physical education, elementary, middle and high school physical education, and health education. There are also awards for Distinguished Advocate for Healthful Living, Friend of SHAPE Maryland and the Simon McNeely Award.

Genua will be formally recognized at the SHAPE Maryland awards ceremony on Nov. 15 in Ocean City.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 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).