First Tee, Golf Digest honour 2025 community award winners advancing youth by way of golf
MONCTON, N.B. — What started as a routine faculty day led to celebration for Michelle Phillips LeBlanc.
Final September, colleagues, college students and members of First Tee – Atlantic gathered at Forest Glen College to shock Phillips LeBlanc with the information that she had been named the 2025 First Tee Instructor of the Yr, a networkwide honour introduced yearly by First Tee in partnership with Golf Digest.
The award acknowledges educators who excel in implementing the First Tee College Program and fostering connections between their faculties and the native First Tee chapter. Phillips LeBlanc was chosen for her efforts in rising entry to golf and life abilities for a whole lot of scholars in certainly one of Moncton’s most culturally various communities.
“Michelle goes above and past daily,” stated Heather Davis, principal of Forest Glen College. “She conjures up lecturers and college students alike and has constructed a phys. ed. program in contrast to something I’ve seen earlier than.”
Since introducing First Tee at Forest Glen in 2021, Phillips LeBlanc has engaged greater than 400 college students, a lot of whom are new to Canada and unfamiliar with golf. By way of multilingual signage, adaptive gear and versatile lesson plans, she has created an inclusive atmosphere the place all college students can take part in this system’s character-building actions.
Her affect extends past the college. Phillips LeBlanc organized area journeys for Grade 3 and 4 college students to an area First Tee facility, giving many their first expertise on a golf course. These visits sparked elevated curiosity and enrolment in on-course programming.
To satisfy rising demand, Phillips LeBlanc and a colleague accomplished First Tee Assistant Coach coaching and volunteered as on-course coaches to advertise ongoing studying. She additionally coordinated transportation and centralized pickup places to scale back boundaries for households.
“Michelle is humble, form, and enthusiastic about every part she does,” stated Kiley MacDonald, coordinator of First Tee – Atlantic. “She embodies the mission and values of First Tee.”
Phillips LeBlanc believed the September 10 go to was for filming program content material. As college students took half in actions within the gymnasium, they have been quietly knowledgeable of the actual motive for the go to and invited to share what made their trainer particular. When the announcement was made, the room crammed with tears and applause.
“Mrs. Phillips could be very good and all the time makes positive nobody misses out,” stated a Grade 4 pupil.
Phillips LeBlanc was formally named Instructor of the Yr on November 5, 2025, as a part of First Tee’s community awards. Every recipient receives a $25,000 award from First Tee and Golf Digest, with $12,500 supporting the native First Tee chapter and $12,500 awarded to the power the place this system is delivered. In Phillips LeBlanc’s case, the funding will help First Tee – Atlantic and Forest Glen College.
For First Tee – Atlantic, the popularity highlights the highly effective function educators play in rising the sport and utilizing golf as a instrument for constructive youth improvement — benefiting college students’ lives one swing at a time.
Study extra or get entangled at firstteecanada.ca.
See the 2025 First Tee community award recipients obtain their awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISuI8oTAeQc
Learn the articles from First Tee and Golf Digest.
