By Sarah CR Clark
The Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators (MNSHAPE) has named DeWayne Combs, physical education teacher at Murray Middle School, as the Minnesota Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
Combs has been a phy ed teacher at Murray for six years. In his role, Combs leads a bicycling program using mountain bikes obtained through a multi-year grant as well as providing yearly downhill skiing opportunities for Murray students. He also coaches basketball at Murray.
According to Murray’s website, Combs will be honored on Nov. 4 in an award ceremony during MNSHAPE’s state conference at Lakeville South High School.
This isn’t the first time that Combs has received academic honors. In 2022, the St. Paul Alumni Association of Concordia University named Combs as alumni Educator of the Year.
Each year, the Concordia Alumni Association awards alumni who are making a difference in their community and hosts a ceremony for all award recipients.
And in 2020, Combs was a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.
Murray’s principal Jamin McKenzie shared his delight with the Bugle, “Congratulations to our very own Mr. DeWayne Combs! Well done, Mr. Combs!”
Sarah CR Clark lives in St. Anthony Park and is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle.
Photo credit: DeWayne Combs. Submitted photo by Murray Middle School.
