Our Outstanding PE Program

When Mr. David Rowe first joined MRES, it quickly became clear that he was a tremendous asset to our school community. His ability to connect with students, combined with his strong skills and experience in sports including coaching kids’ soccer over 30 years—soon led to his selection as our PE teacher, a position proudly funded by the Monarch Parent Teacher Foundation. Currently, he leads biweekly Physical Education to MRES students. 

Teaching Sports, Skills, and Confidence

Since stepping into his role, Mr. David (as he is fondly known) has introduced students to a wide range of sports, including soccer, flag football, basketball, and baseball. The week I visited his class, students were enthusiastically practicing baton relay races.

Managing 26-31 children in a large open field is no easy task. Many students arrive with varying levels of experience; for example some are part of a competitive team while others have never even seen a football before. But Mr. David meets every student where they are.

His teaching style is simple, structured, and effective: break each sport into small, manageable skills and build on each skill gradually. For example, in flag football, Mr. David said his students first practice running with the ball, then learn how to chase and pull flags, and finally put all the pieces together to play a full game. Despite the short time frame and wide range of abilities, the results are remarkable: by the end of the class, students are energized, confident, and smiling from ear to ear.

Many even take their excitement to recess, Mr. David says—forming their own teams, tossing balls around, and asking Mr. David to leave out cones and equipment so they can keep practicing. Students who once rarely joined outdoor play are now shooting baskets or joining football games with friends.

More Than PE: Building a Supportive Community

Mr. David emphasizes having fun, skill building, and values of teamwork and cooperation. He creates an environment where students feel safe to try, learn, and participate at their own pace. “There’s no shame in not knowing something,” he often reminds them, and his calm, encouraging presence makes this feel true.

Even on a large outdoor field, he rarely raises his voice. Instead, he coaches with steady, positive guidance and heartfelt enthusiasm. The only time he calls out loudly is to cheer alongside the students:

“Go Elena! You’ve got this!” As a matter of fact, I heard a steady stream of encouragement in his cheerful voice, such as “You’re doing excellent!” “See? You figured it out!” “Wow! You did it so well!”  Students learn how to cheer for one another from Mr. David. During the relay race I observed, kids were soon calling out encouragement for one another —“Go Ethan, go!  Go! Go! Go!!” “Hooray, Team Ahmad!”—and chanting together with excitement, jumping and celebrating on the field.

Despite him covering the entire school PE program alone, he seems to know almost every student by name and instinctively understands who needs extra support or who might work best together. The result? Kids working together, playing a sport some had never played before, with a field full of laughter, and cheering.  And students shouting, “This is FUN!!!!”

A Lasting Impact

What Mr. David provides goes far beyond physical education. He is teaching confidence, teamwork, and the joy of being physically active—skills that will support students not only in sports, but throughout their lives. His impact is felt in PE, at recess, and across our entire school community.

The Monarch Parent Teacher Foundation is proud to support Mr. David, and is grateful for the energy and heart he brings to MRES every day! And please remember, as a valuable Monarch Community member, your involvement and generous contributions have made this possible.  Together, we have the potential to achieve even greater things!   

Published in January 2026