Andrea Bornino, TSC Teacher of the Year & First Tee Partner
Congratulations to Andrea Bornino of West Lafayette for being name Tippecanoe School Corporation’s Teacher of the Year. Andrea is the PE Teacher at Klondike Elementary and has been a First Tee School Program partner for many years and sees a tremendous benefit of the program for her students.
How many years have you been teaching the First Tee School Program?
I’ve been teaching First Tee for at least 7-10 years now! I first started introducing the program to my students when I was teaching at Glen Acres and Vinton in Lafayette and then moved to Klondike Elementary in West Lafayette.
Do you have a favorite First Tee lesson?
I absolutely love teaching students how to use the clubs at our driving range station. The joy on their faces the first time the ball lifts, launches into the air, and carries some distance is absolutely priceless. There is something so incredible about watching their confidence skyrocket in that exact moment. It’s even icing on the cake when they have their ball hit one of the designated targets.
What do you see as the biggest benefit of introducing golf skills to your students?
Confidence and determination are definitely the biggest benefits. A lot of students can feel intimidated by fast-moving sports, but golf allows them to slow down, take their time, and learn how to set and accomplish goals.
I see this happen with all of my students at our putting stations. They slow down, align their bodies, take a deep breath, and really lock in their focus. When the ball rolls up and over onto the velcro target, they are so proud of themselves—and their teammates are right there celebrating with them! This doesn’t just build confidence on the green; it sets them up for success in life. It teaches them that if they stay determined, they just have to try, try, and try again until they reach their goals.
The First Tee Program has been a magnificent addition to my PE program, and my students look forward to it every single year. All of my classes benefit so much from our discussions about the Nine Core Values.
Most recently, my fifth graders have been extremely excited to participate in the First Tee School Skills Challenge on a real golf course. A lot of my students have only been to putt-putt courses, so watching them step onto a real fairway and green for the very first time is unforgettable. The First Tee program truly offers so many amazing, life-changing experiences for my students and I feel honored to have the as part of our schools PE curriculum.
Visit Tippecanoe School Corporation for more on Bornino and her award.