Amanda Bullington arrived at Poplar Bluff Junior High School in 2014, but she knew from a young age she was meant to be a teacher. She grew up in rural Butler County and attended Twin Rivers, where her mother taught English and her history teacher, Marcella Stockton, helped inspire her to pursue her dual loves of sports and education
“PE was always my goal,” Bullington recalled. “I always wanted to be a teacher from the time I was in elementary school, so that was always the plan.”
Her determination and kindness towards students of all abilities have made her PBJH’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
After graduating from Three Rivers College in 2006, Bullington earned a bachelor of science in elementary education and a master of administration in education from McKendree University and William Woods University, respectively. Her teaching career began in Jackson, Missouri, and Lebanon, Illinois, before she returned to Butler County to teach and coach at Poplar Bluff Junior High School.
She taught world history for three years before moving into physical education. She also coaches seventh- through eighth-grade girls’ basketball.
“With PE and coaching, I get a lot more one-on-one time with the kids and that’s my favorite part, is forming that relationship with them,” she noted.
People traditionally associate PE with activities like running, but Bullington said her classes also teach life lessons like CPR, nutrition and self-defense, plus a variety of ways to exercise. She hopes her students develop a diverse approach to wellness and find ways to stay active that fit their personalities.
“There’s other activities that you can do instead of just going out and running to be physically active,” she said.
These themes seem to have resonated with her students, whose letters of recommendation for Teacher of the Year spoke of rapport, outside-the-box thinking and fun.
“I talk with Mrs. Bullington [while] walking. She plays ‘Cars’ music for me. She teaches me jumping jacks,” wrote a student named William.
A letter from another student, Debra, reads, “She makes everything fun for all the kids...She comes up with something new she’s fun and creative.”
Her fellow educators described her as “a truly gifted educator” who takes time for all her students, including those with special needs.
Lorie Veazey, a special educator and mother, said, “I am moved by her compassion for students with special needs. Not everyone can easily connect with that demographic... Kindness radiates from her when she is working with her special needs students every bit as much as it does with her regular education students. It’s clear she values them and their participation every day.”
Veazey went on to share her daughter Maggie’s praise for Bullington. “Maggie said she knew that Coach Bullington believed in them and pushed them to achieve their best in a way that was positive and uplifting.”
Other parents also wrote about her patience, persistence and kindness.
“My daughter had major back surgery in November and was out of school for a period [of] time. Mrs. Bullington reached out to us several times to check on her. Once Kelsey was able to return to school, Mrs. Bullington went above and beyond to keep her included in class. She worked with her medical restrictions and found ways for her to participate,” parent Amanda Dunlap wrote.
In response to the award, Bullington said, “It was a great honor to get it, I appreciated everyone voting for me...I do love my job and I love the kids.”