Meet Melissa Powell, PE Teacher at Walter Hill Elementary

Melissa Powell is the physical education teacher at Walter Hill Elementary, and she is retiring this year after a 31-year career with Rutherford County Schools. Powell is an avid Pickleball player and coach, lover of sports and passionate about educating students to get outside and move.

In this Q&A, Powell talks about her passion for teaching kids, why it’s so important to take care of your body, and how she got started in education.

Q: Tell me about yourself:

A: I’m Melissa Powell. I am a physical education teacher at Walter Hill Elementary. I’ve been here for 31 years, and this is my last year. I got hired on here by Butch Campbell and was only an interim, because they were saving a spot for someone else. After that I was an EA for half a year and then got a PE job at Christiana. Then they wanted me back at Walter Hill, so I came back here, and I’ve been here ever since.

Q: Why Walter Hill?

A: Oh my gosh. The community is just awesome. I love kids. I love the parents. The school has always been one of the most friendly and family-oriented schools. The faculty has always been close and, lucky me, I’ve gotten to see a couple of generations of kids. It’s a great little gem right down here in the north part of the county. It’s the gem, the hidden gym, literally. Hah. It’s growing but it’s still pretty small.

Q: So, did you always want to teach PE?

A: I think God designed me to want to teach PE. I really do. I think it’s a call and I always loved sports. I love how the body moves and I always wanted to teach. So, I was that kid that took PE 1 and PE 2. When I was going to college my mom and dad told me it might be too hard to get into teaching. I took some business courses. My dad got a job at Nissan and the whole family moved up here. I walked onto a volleyball team at MTSU and played volleyball. Then I got my bachelor’s and now I have my master’s. So yeah, I wanted to teach physical education. I have the best job.

Q: What about PE is important for kids?

A: Kids have got to be moving. They really need to move, especially when COVID closed everything down. I think kids don’t get outside and play as much as they used to. So, for me, just like every other teacher, our class is the most important. Kids need movement. They need to learn how to get along with each other and sportsmanship. My goal was to come here and teach a lot of different skills, a lot of different activities, and teach different sports.

Q: Why the Predators banners? Are you a hockey fan?

A: That’s a special story! About 14 years ago we had a student who went to the school named Chase Donnell. He ended up getting sick. I would stay in touch with him and his family, but to make a long story short he ended up getting a Make-A-Wish, and instead of using it for himself he donated it to the gym. He wanted all brand-new equipment for the kids and the gym done in his name. He passed before he got to see it. But he was a huge Predators fan, and he loved the predators. They used to go visit Chase at Vanderbilt and he would slip out of the hospital and go watch a little bit of a game. But one of the players called and asked if they could come out and speak and he brought those banners.

Q: What do you hope students will say about you when you’re gone?

A: Well. Kids keep telling me “you’re the best PE teacher I’ve ever had.” And I tell them, well I’m the only one you’ve ever had, really. You know a lot of them I hope they have a fond memory of me. And I hope they can take with them some guidance of some of the exercises we did, you know? You’ve only got one body and you’ve got to take care of it. So, I think they’ll have good memories.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: You know. I’m a pickleball instructor in Williamson County and I’m a global player, so I hope to travel to some more tournaments. I’ll be teaching part-time at clinics in Brentwood.

Q: What else are you passionate about apart from sports and education?

A: I love spending time with my family. My mom and dad live up the street from me. So is my sister. I have a daughter who lives in Murfreesboro who just got married in January. I’m hoping to have some grandkids soon! So, I love spending time with family, but I love to also travel. I like to see things with my own eyes, you know?

Q: Do you have any advice for the teacher who comes after you?

A: Love the kids. As best you can on those hard days but invest in the kids. Especially those that may be a little tougher. Be sincere with your compliments and specific. I’ve never turned down a hug because you never know what kid might need it. You know, I treat them like they’re my own. Don’t let them get away with stuff. Just love them. Try to teach them and try to bring a good PE program. Try to keep that going.