Stratford Landing Elementary School physical education teacher David Magee takes connecting with his approximately 750 students seriously, showing up for them even after the day is done.
“Mr. Magee, who lives at least a 45-minute drive from [the Alexandria] school, spends every free moment traveling around the county after school or on weekends to watch students — with their parents’ permission — play baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, youth triathlon, and even waited three hours to watch our kids swim three minutes total!” says parent Julie Margolis.
The popular P.E. teacher left a career in sports marketing 19 years ago to pursue his true passion: teaching physical education. Magee says he knew in third grade that he was meant to be an elementary P.E. teacher, after his own gym teacher inspired him. Magee, who has been on staff at this Fairfax County school for nine years, is more passionate than ever about his teaching job.
“It’s all about connection,” he says. “For me, it doesn’t feel like work.”
Magee learned that creating bonds with students and families outside the classroom builds trust and connection.
“A lot of kids are looking for that, and they thrive when they have somebody who believes in them,” Magee says.
At school, Magee is beloved, celebrating students in his amusing T-shirt of the Day posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Parents note he consistently provides support and encouragement by not only teaching class, but also attending PTA-sponsored events, leading Field Day, and holding after-school events.
“He is, unequivocally, the students’ biggest fan,” parent Isabel Fernandez says.
Magee inspires students to take leadership roles at school. He leads more than 90 fifth and sixth graders in bus safety skills. Magee takes time out of his summer vacation to bring these students to summer camp to help with leadership skills, team building, and cooperation.
“Mr. Magee is a glass-half-full kind of guy,” says colleague Karen Snow. “Everyone around him can see he loves what he does every day.”
Magee teaches eight classes a day for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. His activities include volleyball, soccer, basketball, football, baseball, and jump rope. As important as exercise is, Magee is more concerned with fostering good character, self-esteem, and community among students.
“His sole purpose in school is to build positive, meaningful relationships with students and their families,” says Stratford Landing Principal Kevin Morris. “It defines him as a professional, and it is impressive to watch him in action.”
Feature image by Amie Otto
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This story originally appeared in our October 2023 issue’s Teacher of the Year story. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
