Luke Robertson is known for the quality instruction he delivers in his physical education classes at Westside Elementary School. But it was Robertson’s work to branch beyond the classroom that earned him Park County School District 1’s Teacher of the Year award.

Several teachers were nominated for the 2025 honor and Robertson “just stood out,” said PCSD1 Superintendent Jay Curtis, because “[his] reach beyond this school into our community was incredible.”

Fittingly, Curtis announced the award at the tail end of a schoolwide assembly that was mostly about one of Robertson’s most recent outreach efforts: a new partnership with the Powell Police Department and local businesses to promote bike and street safety. Robertson spent months raising donations and working out details. The endeavor yielded free helmets for K-5 students across the district and a slew of prizes that Powell officers will award to youth they see wearing helmets or otherwise being safe this summer.

At the end of this school year, Robertson and his students wrapped up a separate effort to revamp the courtyard at the Powell Valley Care Center and install brand new garden boxes — and he made additional time to help raise funds for a new glass crushing machine at Powell Valley Recycling. And that’s just within the past year.

“... he is so important to the Powell community,” Westside Principal Angie Woyak said at the May 22 assembly, telling the crowd that there was no one more deserving of the honor.

At Westside, Robertson serves each and every student and cares deeply about them, Woyak said. He arrives at school early to have everything set up perfectly, she said, and makes sure his students are busy learning, thinking, having fun and developing skills in PE.

“And what’s so incredible is his creativity,” Woyak added, noting the ways that Robertson had gone beyond traditional physical education into topics like gardening, fishing and bicycling.

“Those are things that you will carry on into life from years beyond elementary school, middle school and even high school,” Woyak told the assembled students, “and Mr. Robertson is teaching you all of that.”

When it came to teaching, Robertson said he began asking himself “why not?” a couple years ago: Why couldn’t physical education be flying a kite, riding a bike or catching fish?

“I just think these are things that they can take with them for a lifetime,” Robertson said in an interview, adding, “I’m hoping that these are things that [are] going to catch those kids that might not otherwise be as excited about physical activity.”

He tries to make personal connections with every student and assist them both at a skills level and socially.

“I’m trying to reach kids and get them excited about being physically active in whatever capacity that is,” Robertson said.

He has been an advocate for students who need more, Woyak told the Tribune, as well as being a leader in the building and bringing contagious energy, positivity and enthusiasm to Westside.

During her remarks at the assembly, Woyak noted how Robertson also makes a difference in the lives of adults and youth outside of the school through his involvement in the community.

“I would go on and on to tell you about what he has done,” Woyak said, “but he truly inspires me, and I think he inspires all of us.”

Robertson said every year teaching has been fun, but the different initiatives and projects he took on this year have been satisfying. 

He was caught off-guard by the award, but immediately passed the praise back to Westside’s students and “amazing” staffers. Robertson described them both as sources of inspiration.

“I’m one of those fortunate people that ‘gets’ to come to work; I don’t ‘have’ to go to work,” Robertson told the students. “I get excited about coming to work and working with all of you.”

He also made a point of thanking his family for their support and understanding as he’s taken on the extra projects.

As PCSD1’s top teacher for 2025, Robertson will now be considered for the statewide award alongside honorees from Wyoming’s 46 other districts; Woyak said Robertson will represent Westside and the Powell district “in an incredible way.”