Mr. Bennett Brookstein has been a health and physical education teacher for 10 and half years. He first started teaching at a charter school in Philadelphia for two and a half years, then he taught at a school in Willingboro, New Jersey for two years, and he’s been teaching for six years in the Camden school district. Recently he was recognized by the New Jersey Education Association. NJEA Today recognized Mr. Brookstein for his dedication and determination. Every year he has gone to the NJEA conference he has participated in the race they sponsor. The distance is a 5 kilometer race
(3.1 miles), and this year he was the first NJEA member to win the race. He ran the race in record time so he was recognized for the NJEA award.
Mr. Brookstein has been running for 30 plus years. He started running track in middle school where his physical education teacher was from Trinidad, Tobago. Whoever wanted to run cross country was encouraged to race. “I remember him well because he was very nice and positive and never put anyone down. This is where I got my inspiration.” Mr. Brookstein always strives to teach his students how he was taught.
There was a ceremony for the presentation of this prestigious award. It was held about an hour and a half after the race at the new Atlantic City Convention Center, where the NJEA conference was held. The race was run on the Atlantic City boardwalk. At the ceremony, the other participants were also recognized. Along with Mr. Brookstein, there was a female runner who was also one of the first NJEA members to run the race.
Mr. Brookstein admits that it was actually all a big surprise to him; he didn’t even know that he had been featured in NJEA Today. He found
out from word of mouth. Some of his colleagues informed him he was in the NJEA magazine’s December issue. He actually thought it was a bit comical that he didn’t know.
Mr. Brookstein was the head cross country coach for two years at Camden High School in Camden, NJ. He relinquished his title this school year and is now one of the cross country coaches at Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy. Mr. Brookstein wants all students to remember to always do their best and try their best. He says, “Never give up on your dreams!”
Mr. Brookstein has competed in
marathons in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York City and Atlantic City. He has run the Marine Corps Marathon in DC five times, and has run in the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Altogether, he has run in 17 marathons. He also plans to run the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon in June, and he participated in the Gary Papa 5k Run/Walk in support of prostate cancer research this past weekend.