Alumna Jill Bartlett '03 Earns Health Teacher of the Year Honors
By: Damon Markiewicz
When reflecting on her time at Springfield College, alumna Jill Bartlett ’03 references one of the most important takeaways from her experiences on Alden Street was her discovery of East Campus, and her introduction to outdoor adventure education.
A well-respected physical educator and health educator at Windham (NH) High School for the last 16 years, Bartlett credits the education and leadership lessons she learned while attending programming at East Campus, as a key factor in enjoying a successful career. Her accomplishments were recently recognized by her peers, as she received the 2024 Health Teacher of the Year honor, awarded by the New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
“Receiving this award was so special because it was one of my colleagues who took the time to nominate me, and she is also so deserving,” explained Bartlett. “When receiving honors like this, I do think back to my East Campus experiences, and understand they were so important to me. I learned so many important leadership lessons while taking part in a variety of leadership development opportunities at East Campus. I still refer to those life lessons to this day. East Campus is where I discovered a love for the outdoors, but more importantly, it’s where I had the chance to connect with so many great leaders and make connections that have become life-long relationships.”
Bartlett was first introduced to the supportive environment of East Campus while taking part in Outdoor Pursuits following her first year on campus. Similar to many of her classmates, Bartlett used the experiences from Outdoor Pursuits as a springboard to seek advanced leadership opportunities on campus.
Starting in her sophomore year, she transitioned into being a group leader at Outdoor Pursuits, which inspired Bartlett to make the commitment to be a New Student Orientation (NSO) leader. It was also during this time when Bartlett received an opportunity to take part in the Leadership Training Conference (LTC), a program that allows participants to take a deep look into who they are, and who they want to be as leaders and people. The guiding principles she received taking part in Outdoor Pursuits, NSO, and LTC, still remain very close to her as a successful educator for more than two decades.
“I still have my NSO and LTC binders on my book shelf right behind my desk in my office at school,” said Bartlett. “I took part in LTC for three years, one year as a participant, and two years as a facilitator. I learned many valuable leadership and life lessons. LTC really showed me how to help bring out the greatness that people have inside of them.”
Having experienced such impactful moments at East Campus, Bartlett made a commitment to introduce the East Campus experience to the youth she teaches as well.
“Over the years, I have brought my students to East Campus to take part in the outdoor challenge courses,” explained Bartlett. “I was able to work with Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Ben Taylor ’99, G’16, and Associate Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Angela Veatch, G’07, to make that happen. They both have always been such great people to work with. I really feel East Campus is such an important piece of the campus.”
Prior to arriving on Alden Street, Bartlett grew up on Long Island, where she was a three-sport athlete in high school. She played basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. While preparing for her senior year in high school, Bartlett noticed a flyer promoting an allied health camp at Springfield College. The opportunity was a week before she was already prepared to attend a summer volleyball camp with Coach Joel Dearing ’79. It was during these two weeks on campus when Bartlett discovered she wouldn’t mind calling Alden Street home for the next four years.
“I ended up enrolling at Springfield College as a Physical Education major with a Health Education minor, after listening to my mother’s advice,” explained Bartlett. “Mom encouraged me to go into teaching Physical Education, and stressed how much fun it is to learn and have fun doing it. I was very fortunate to have such great professors that really helped me along the way.”
Bartlett’s passion for Physical Education is just as strong now as it was when she was student. Even after more than 22 years as a PE educator, she continues to find new and innovative ways to lead her students through Physical Education and Health Education fun.
“The one aspect I really enjoy about PE is, it’s a curriculum that’s alive,” said Bartlett. “You have social and emotional check-ins on a regular basis. Things can change so quickly, and you are able to take something that’s popular in current events, and bring it in into the classroom, like pickleball. Everything I learned at Springfield College I am still using today. I love how in the Physical Education major at Springfield, they get students into the classroom right away. I think that’s so important, and that’s something I stress when working with student teachers in my current job. I remember as a student, getting that experience in the classroom right away, really paid off. I remember by April of my senior year, I had a job opportunity waiting for me after graduation.”
And since graduation day back in 2003, Bartlett has enjoyed staying connected with Springfield College, and she is always willing to showcase her passion for the College, and East Campus.
“I never shy away from telling anyone who will listen that they should attend Springfield College,” explained Bartlett. “I have been able to stay connected with the College in many different ways. My niece just graduated from the College in 2024, I have had many current students I teach attend Springfield. The alumni network at Springfield College is very strong, and I always feel like I am finding someone who attended the College, or is considering the College. I am always willing to be a great recruiter for the College because I truly feel it’s a perfect place to enjoy your college experience, and prepare you for life.”
