At the Charter Institute at Erskine, we are proud to recognize outstanding educators who dedicate themselves to the holistic growth of their students. This month, the honor goes to Elizabeth Veselik, an exceptional K-8 Physical Education teacher from Berkeley Preparatory Academy in Berkeley, South Carolina. Her inspiring journey, passion for student success, and dedication to promoting a healthy lifestyle make her a standout educator.
A Lifelong Passion for Physical Education
Elizabeth’s path to becoming a teacher began with a passion for coaching volleyball during her high school and early college years. While volunteering at her former elementary school, she had a pivotal moment that solidified her love for teaching. “I decided I wanted to teach P.E. when a young girl finally made a successful overhand volleyball serve after working with and encouraging her all season. It was at that moment I discovered just how rewarding it is to have a positive influence on students and their success,” she shares. Inspired by her experience as a coach and guided by an amazing mentor—her fourth-grade teacher—Elizabeth’s journey into education was fueled by the desire to help students achieve their potential.
Seven Years of Shaping Young Lives
Now in her seventh year of teaching, Elizabeth is making a huge impact on the students at Berkeley Preparatory Academy. Specializing in K-8 Physical Education, she focuses on teaching the physical, social, and psychomotor skills that form the foundation of a healthy, active lifestyle. Over the years, she has witnessed countless student milestones, from seeing students learn new sports to mastering challenging skills.
One of her proudest achievements came in 2020, when she was awarded the “PRIDE Award” for her outstanding contributions to educational excellence. “This award was memorable due to the impact of COVID ending the school year,” she recalls. “Being a special areas teacher, sometimes it can feel as if our subjects are overlooked. More special area teachers should be recognized for their positive contributions because it is in these areas that students explore and grow as individuals physically, emotionally, and socially.”
A Holistic Approach to Education
Elizabeth’s teaching philosophy centers around empowering students to embrace both physical fitness and life skills. Her classes are much more than just exercise—they are opportunities for personal growth. “I engage my students by planning innovative games utilizing the skills we practice, combining sports and exercise, and always including social-emotional life lessons,” she explains. She encourages her students to keep trying, even when faced with failure, reinforcing the belief that “failure is nothing more than a learning experience and an opportunity to grow.”
One of the unique aspects of Elizabeth’s work at Berkeley Preparatory Academy is her involvement with the Special Areas Team. Together, this team creates interdisciplinary lessons, blending physical education, art, music, and Spanish, all through the lens of social-emotional learning. Their “Midweek Mastery” lessons are a highlight for students, providing them with interactive, character-building activities that support their academic and personal development.
Love for Charter Schools and Teamwork
What Elizabeth loves most about teaching at a charter school like Berkeley Preparatory Academy is the strong sense of community and collaboration. She praises her colleagues, especially the Special Areas Team, for their dedication to student success. “This year, we have a strong group of educators working hard as a cohesive unit to positively impact our students,” she says. She is also grateful for the support of the school’s leadership. “Our Principal Mr. Matthews and the Administration team are incredibly supportive, and they always encourage us to go above and beyond for our students.”
Inspiring Future Generations
For Elizabeth Veselik, teaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Her love for living a healthy, active lifestyle shines through in everything she does. “Being a teacher can be hard and challenging no matter what subject or area you are in. But I love to live a healthy, active lifestyle, and I want to teach kids to do the same. I love being a PE teacher!”
Elizabeth Veselik’s dedication to fostering both physical and emotional growth in her students makes her a truly deserving recipient of the first-ever Institute Teacher of the Month award. She continues to inspire her students, colleagues, and the entire Berkeley Preparatory Academy community. Go Bulldogs!
