Mike Gonneville
Position: Physical Education Teacher
School: Northfield Elementary School
School District: Central Vermont Supervisory Union
City, State: Northfield, VT
Support Mike
Leave a comment
Mike Gonneville was nominated by a past student, Nikki Cook.
"I am so thankful that I have been lucky enough to have Mr. Gonneville (Mr. G) in my life. He has been the physical education (PE) teacher for Northfield Elementary School since 1976. He was my PE teacher from the time I was in the first grade through elementary school, and once I moved on to high school, became my varsity soccer coach (I recently turned 50)," said Cook.
"When I look back on my life, I can, without a doubt, say that the things I learned from him during those years helped shape me into the person I am today. He taught me to always try my hardest, even when nobody is watching, strive for excellence, and be a good teammate. He has had that impact not just on me but the thousands of kids he has taught over his career at Northfield Elementary School. He says his goal has always been to provide children of all abilities and interests with a foundation of movement experience and understanding that will lead to lifelong active and healthy lifestyles," said Cook.
He is such a valued member of the Northfield community that this year, he will be the Grand Marshal at the Labor Day Parade. Organizers had the following to say about him:
"Northfield's Mike Gonneville, a well-known educator at Northfield Elementary School, will be the Grand Marshall of this year's Labor Day Parade. Mike is known to most people as 'Mr. G' and has been the physical education teacher since 1976. According to his calculations, he has taught over 3000 students in those 46 years. Mike says he is on his 'third generation of students… I now have grandchildren of former students.'"
Labor Day organizer Angie Allen said about the selection, "We asked for names, and someone suggested 'Mr. G', and everyone immediately said yes!"
At first, he felt reluctant to accept the honor of serving as Grand Marshall. "It's not about me; it's about 'we,'" he stressed.
Mr. G is a 1977 Norwich University (NU) graduate who also completed his master's degree at NU in 1978. He has been an integral part of the Northfield community since then. He and his wife, Nancy, raised their 2 children here. Over the years, Mr. G has been more than just a teacher to the students who have gone through his classes. He has coached various sports over the years, demonstrating his commitment to the holistic development of his students.
"We are honored to have Mike as our Grand Marshal this year. He has made it clear he wants this to be about the community he has been a part of for close to 5 decades," said Allen.
Recently, WCAX did a story on Mr. G and the weekly community building walk he started 17 years ago. Check it out here.
On April 5th, 2024, the Vermont House of Representatives issued a proclamation honoring Mr. G for his teaching excellence and for the establishment of the school’s Walking Wednesdays. Check out the proclamation here.
On April 30th, 2024, Mr. G received a letter from Vermont Governor Phil Scott recognizing his selfless service to the Northfield community. Check it out here.
On December 4th, 2024, Mr. G attended a press conference with Governor Scott to discuss his Walking Wednesday initiative. Check out the video here.
Mike's colleagues created a bulletin board in support of his nomination. Check it out here.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. G for the last 2 years and I do not have enough good things to say about him. I first met Mr. G two years ago when he stepped into the role of assistant coach for the Norwich University Women's Soccer Team, which I am a part of. Every day he would show up to practice ready to coach with a smile and always had a positive attitude on and off the field. He was an amazing coach that I learned so much from, and I wish that he was there to help coach my first 2 years at Norwich. In addition to having Mr. G as my coach, I also had the great honor of doing my student teaching with him at Northfield Elementary School. I learned so many invaluable things from him in the 8 weeks we worked together and I am so thankful to have been placed with him. He deeply cares for each and every one of his students and would do anything for his coworkers, community, and anyone in need. If anyone deserves this award, it is Mr. G!
I met Mr G when my kids started school at Northfield and I also have the privilege of working with him. I see the kids coming in every morning saying good morning Mr G. Mr G's P.E. class always has a lot of fun things to do. To keep the kids moving and they have a lot of fun in his class. Mr G has done a lot for the Northfield school like walking Wednesday & Jumprope. I can't think of a better person then Mr G to get this kind of award.
Mr G is the G.O.A.T!
Not only has he changed the community with walking Wednesday, he has changed kids and parents.
One story about Mr G and me is when I first moved here. I was nervous. On the first day I had PE aka Physical Education, and Mr G was amazing! He changed my life!
Oliver(4th)
Mr G
By Valentyna(4th)
Mr G is a teacher and he is the best, he has kindness in his heart and he can do anything!
Mr G is the GOAT, period!
Abel(4th)
Hyku By Anderson M (4th)
Mr G is AMAZING
Mr G is so amazing
Honesty and Perseverance are his favorite words
Mr G should definitely win
I’ve had the honor of working with Mr. G for the last 15 years. To say he’s a fabulous teacher is an understatement. I have the utmost respect for him as a teacher. There are so many great things to say, but I’ll just list a few. He sets high expectations for all his students and will accept nothing less than their best. He is encouraging and pushes them to their full potential all while making the class fun and engaging. In addition to teaching PE classes at NES, Mr. G still finds time to coach a variety of high school sports, run elementary fitness and jump rope clubs as well as volunteer in his community. How he does it I’m not sure, but it takes devotion and a vision, and when it comes to our students and children he always gives 110%. He always says “it’s about the kids” and he is one of the most humble people I know. I wish everyone could have a Mr. G but I’m sure glad he’s ours!
Mike Gonnerville,a.k.a. Mr. G is a life changer. As a Physical Education teacher he has changed more lives in our Northfield Elementary school by his love of physical fitness, children and his belief and mantra that being physically fit is vital to being the best person you can be. He has instilled the love of movement, fitness challenges, teamwork and cooperation among classes/teams to strive towards achieving fitness goals . He teaches students how to problem solve, to work together through kindness and respect both for themselves and for each other. Mr. G is an inspiration to all who know him to encourage improving ones life through fitness and respect for one another.
Mr G was a great coach for soccer. He had 2 of my girls. And every year they went to the playoffs and won. So proud of all they accomplished. He would take the shirt off his back. #Lcoy
Mr G is such an amazing teacher at Northfield Elementary School. He is the best gym teacher because even on the hardest days he puts a smile on his face. He has taught me words like perseverance, empathy,honesty and trust. He has always been a trusted adult. When we are having some kind of problem he offers a hand. I hope you win Mr G!!!!!
Ada(4th)
I’m very grateful my daughter had Mr. G as her head Golf coach to lead them to win the State Championship. To show up bright and early at the club every morning with a wonderful attitude teaching young women how to win at more than just golf but life in general. Very thankful he was such a great role model.
Coach G has worked So hard with my son learning to play hockey!! He makes every effort to assist my son and is always encouraging him to work hard and do his best. He is SO Deserving of this Award as he ALWAYS puts others before himself!!
I am happy to nominate Mike Gonneville for the Life Changer award. I have known Mr. G for four years as a colleague and as a friend on and off the golf course :). He is passionate about what he does and the children he works with. He has made an extraordinary impact on the lives of those around him both past and present. He is a leader, he is a teacher and loves his community. He demonstrates compassion, leadership and dedication in everything he does. What makes Mr. G truly deserving of this honor is the way he inspires others to rise above obstacles. He instills hope, fosters growth and leads by example, proving that one's individual actions can change the course of many lives. It is rare to find someone whose contributions, teachings, passions, and work have such a profound and lasting impact. I have learned so much from Mr. G over the last four years and admire the love he has for this town and the love the town has for him. I am proud to nominate Mike Gonneville as Life Changer of the year.
Mr G has been a staple in our community for as long as I can remember. My three older sisters and I had him as an Elementary Physical Education and Health teacher, Comisky Comets jump rope coach, and soccer coach for our High School seasons. During that time he helped to build skills, competitiveness, flexibility, drive and passion for sports and physical fitness. He was the driving force behind many State championships throughout my family's time at Northfield. The time and commitment he has put into developing student-athletes and overall student wellness is evident in the paths we see students take after high school. From Division 1 athletes to coaches, to those who choose careers in athletics or teaching we are all driven by his dedication to his students.
Mr. G is the reason I chose to become a Physical Education teacher. He always had a way to engage and build relationships with every child. One of my fondest memories of Elementary School was a drawing he made me during a difficult discussion about something that was bothering me. He drew a picture of a bridge with one person following another off of it. While he was drawing it he was explaining to me that he would always be there to support me in whatever I do. I still have that picture today and often think of it when I am working with my students at school. For a student to have one adult they can count on, and trust in is now part of my teaching philosophy and I believe that Mr. G was that person for me.
When my husband and I decided to put down routes in Northfield, I was delighted that my children would have him as a teacher. He did an amazing job connecting with the kids during COVID-19 and continued to promote health and emotional wellness during that time. I am very thankful that they had the opportunity to experience what a great teacher exemplifies.
Mr. G has spent the better part of his life supporting children and their development, and I know he will continue to for years to come.
YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!
As a senior in high school, I had the opportunity to have Mr. G as my P.E teacher and as my coach. As I'm finishing up my last year at Northfield, I am in a program that allows me to go up to the elementary school for a certain class period a few times a week. This has allowed me to work alongside Mr. G, teaching me ideals that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career. He is constantly working to get kids more active with activities like the Comiskey Comets jump rope team and Walking Wednesday. Mr. G has had a positive impact on so many people throughout the Northfield community. As an extremely active member of the community, this award is long overdue.
Mike Gonneville is the real-life Longfellow Deeds from Frank Capra's movie "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." He is gentle, unassuming, soft-spoken, and heavily involved in everything to do with Northfield, Vermont. He is the PE Educator, and has been for decades, for at least three generations of citizens. He is Mr. 'G' at school and the founder and organizer of the school kids & college mentors "walks to school" promoting fitness and community, as well as stopping along the way at our Veteran's Home to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. He is Coach 'G' -- a Hockey, Soccer, and Golf Coach who has taught hundreds of young men and women skills, values, and teamwork that they've taken on through life including how to achieve victory and maybe more importantly how to face defeat. He inspires his students to achieve excellence predominantly through excellent role-modeling. He demands excellence from himself and lets students know they can achieve it as well. He is most deserving of this honor as it not only exemplifies his life's contributions to education, fitness, and community but reinforces to our Town and State how much these values truly mean for mature and responsible citizenship.
Both of my kids had the amazing honor of Mr. G being their P.E teacher! I instantly loved that he has that "old school" spirit with an unbelievable amount of kindness and compassion. One of my first memories of Mr. G was when my daughter decided to join his jump rope team in kindergarten. He sent a handwritten letter home with practice time and expectations. It said, "this is only for the dedicated athlete". I was instantly hooked! I couldn't wait for the end of the season show, and it did not disappoint! Another, more recent, fond memory of Mr. G was when my son and I ran into him at the gas station on a weekend and he asked if we had time to run up to his house to pick something up. Of course we did! Mr. G knew my son played hockey and a few YEARS prior he had told him that he had a puck holder that had belonged to his son that he wanted him to have. It was more than a puck holder - it was full of pucks! Mr. G happily told stories about almost most of them. My favorite puck has a picture of a very young Mr. G, which now we know the story to go along with it! He is an unbelievable person who absolutely loves the kids in our small town, we are all lucky to have him, as are the 100s of kids that have passed through his classroom and hist teams! He has changed 1000s of lives by just doing what he loves every day!
I have 5 children. I have too many great things I could post about his teaching all of them through the years, but here’s my favorite story. When my oldest, now 33 years old, was in maybe 5th grade, it was time to do the 1 mile run in PE. She was so nervous. She wasn’t athletic. She was chubby. She had so many talents, but running was not one of them. She knew she was going to embarrass herself in front of everyone. She was simply dreading that day.
She did come in last, but she came home that day with a huge smile on her face. Why? Because she won a big award for “Pacing Herself”. Now that is what teaching is all about! I could go on and on. This is just one example of why this man is a fine, deserving teacher.
I had Mike as a PE Teacher the first year he taught at Northfield Elementary School. He organized and officiated street hockey games in the parking lot during recess time. I remember how excited we all were for the games each day. I also recall we had a “mini Olympic” day. He really made PE fun. I have to say PE wasn’t the same when we moved on to the middle school program. The soccer, hockey and golf programs in Northfield have florished under Mike’s direction. As an adult, I love seeing the kids doing walk to school Wednesday. The number of kids and adults joining that walk has grown. Mike has certainly been a dedicated teacher, coach and mentor to many.
Mr G is perfect for the nomination my three oldest children had Mr G they are in high school now and still speak very highly of him still they had him in grade school my youngest now has him and he really really likes me G
I met Mike Gonneville shortly after returning to Norwich seven months ago. Since that time, we've had several talks and I was fortunate to participate in his walking Wednesdays program. Throughout these engagements, Mike's passion for educating and mentoring students comes out loud and clear. He works hard to instill a sense of physical fitness and respect for veterans. More importantly, he has clearly earned the respect and admiration of our students and their parents. He makes a positive and meaningful difference in their lives.
This recognition is beyond fitting for a Mr G. His selfless and dedicated leadership to the Northfield school system cannot be understated. His teaching, coaching and mentorship has shaped and guided Northfield youth for decades and shows no signs of slowing down which makes him the ideal person to receive such a fitting award.
We are instructors at Norwich University in the Physical Education program. Mr. G has been a huge supporter of our program and has welcomed our students with open arms. Mr. G has allowed our students to come observe in his classroom for as many hours as they need. He has also been a mentor for multiple student teachers within our program.
We are VERY lucky to have Mr. G as a mentor for our students and cannot thank him enough! We appreciate it!
I know I said it in the nomination, but I truly meant it. I had a lot of great teachers that I will always be thankful for, but when I think back on my development as a person, I count you as the person in my life outside of my family that had the greatest impact. I will forever be thankful for that. I just wanted you to know how much you had an impact on me, but also to give others the opportunity to show you as well!
I have known Mike Gonneville for many, many years now. I first met him as my children’s PE teacher and now I am lucky enough to work with him side-by-side. He has been a part of our school for so long that there is not anyone who has grown up in Northfield in the last 40 years that he has not taught or coached. Mike embodies what community is. Under his guidance students learn how to be responsible, persevere and develop self-esteem. He gives hours of his own time to coach hockey and golf as well as develop curriculum and activities for all students. He tries to lead by example how members of a community should give back by working to bridge our Veterans home with our students. This is just a small glimpse of what he does. Mike is a fixture in our town and has provided knowledge and support to countless people who live and work in Northfield.
Mr G. as he is affectionately know, has been a staple in the elementary school's physical education as well as a coach for various sports in high school and a jump rope program for elementary students 3 days a week. He established "Walking Wednesday" several years ago. This is a 1 mile walk every Wednesday at 7:00 am where he leads what has become a very large group of students ranging from elementary to high school including parents and college students that walk from the college to the elementary school that includes a stop at the Veterans Home where they are all greeted by the veterans while they join in to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. He was featured on the States local news program for his commitment to physical education as last year's Grand Marshall for the Labor Day parade and to no ones surprise, he walked the parade route with his jump rope kids and others. Mr G was just recently personally invited to the State House by Govenor for the governors inauguration.
Mr. G and his “Walk to School Wednesday” Northfield Elementary students have been stopping and honoring our Veterans at The Veterans’ Place, by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, for 9 years now! This small but powerful gesture of appreciation and respect for our Veterans, means so much to them, especially because we know it comes from their hearts. This small moment in time every week, is the highlight of the week for so many of our Veterans! Thank you Mr. G.
I have known Mike for 22 years and had the pleasure of coaching with him for 10 seasons . Without a doubt he makes everyone and everything better by being associated with it . He brings out the best in the person , student , and athlete with his knowledge and attention to detail in every avenue of what he is teaching and participating in . It’s an honor and privilege to call him a friend and everthing that this award stands for Mike has achieved above and beyond in his dedication to his students , his athletes, and his community!!! He exemplifies the service before self in everything he gets involved in !
I have had Mr. G as a coach and as a teacher and currently he is a coach and a teacher to my 3 daughters. He has personally taught me about hard work, teamwork, leadership, mental toughness, perseverance and most importantly character. I have always remembered this quote that Mr. G frequently said "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." by John Wooden. I can share so many personal stories about how Mr. G had a powerful, positive impact on my life and I am so grateful that my daughters are currently having the same experience. Mr. G sets a high standard and demands respect. He is very dedicated, kind and deserves this award. Thank you Mr. G for changing my life!
It is with great pride that I was asked to contribute comments in regards to Coach Mike Gonneville hopefully being selected as National Life's Life Changer of the year award. Coach Gonneville or "Mister G" as most children and community members know him by has been Northfield Elementary School's Physical Education teacher for 47 years, approaching half a century of extremely dedicated service to children, parents and the community as a whole. Mr. G has implemented such programs as "Walking Wednesdays" complete with a stop by our Veteran's Home to pay respect to our Nations flag with the pledge of allegiance to the flag with his students. Many years ago he created the "Comiskey Comets" Jump Rope Team that performs regularly at our yearly Labor Day celebration. At last year's Labor Day parade Coach Gonneville was selected as Grand Marshal for calender year 2024. One of the highlights of our parade's 49 year history was coach making the decision to walk the parade route, with a stop briefly at our town's assisted living residence and pick up a handicap member of our community to complete the parade route along with him. It was a moment that brought a standing ovation as they passed by and etched a positive memory in our parade's history. I am a life long member of this community and it is with dignity and pride that I recommend Mike Gonneville for National Life's Life Changer of the Year Award.
In my 11 years of knowing Mr.G I have learned many many MANY good and valuable lessons of life and about perseverance. He puts alot of work into anything at school or anything else he does. He does so much work for other people because his heart is on other people. I mean he helps people before helping himself because of that big kind soul he has. Without that kindness he would be a totaly different person. I cant imagine me not knowing him. So I commend Mr.G for all that kindness and his very valuble lessons he has taught. Congrats Mr.G.??????????
I have worked with Mike for the past sixteen years and have been provided with the opportunity to learn the true meaning of perseverance and commitment to teaching. I commend Mike for his years of teaching and valuable lessons he has taught the children here at NES. Congratulations Mike!
I first learned of Mr. G’s contributions to our state through my Ray of Kindness program, which invites Vermonters to nominate neighbors who are making a difference. I learned that Mr. G has been at Northfield Elementary for 46 years, and has given back in many different ways. Through programs like Walking Wednesday, jump rope club, fitness club, and his work as a gym teacher, he’s constantly encouraging kids and adults to get outside, stay active, and connect with one another. What stands out is his dedication – he’s there for his students every morning and always full of positivity. He has a way of making everyone feel supported and motivated to be their best.
Mr. G was nominated for our Ray of Kindness initiative in April of 2024, and the more I learn about him, the more I see how far his kindness has extended. He is truly deserving of National Life’s LifeChanger of the Year award!
I cannot express how much Mike Gonneville has contributed to the community of Northfield and every student who has walked through Northfield schools since 1978. You heard that right. Mr. Gonneville has been working in Northfield schools for over 45 years! From PE teacher, to coach, mentor, & leader, Mr. G. has always set a standard of excellence for himself, his colleagues, and his students. Mr. G. is the epitome of the roll model every parent wants for their children. He is caring, compassionate, and supportive, while holding students to high expectations, teamwork, and work ethic. All traits he values and lives in his own life.
There are so many accollades that we could celebrate in Mr. G. His support of our schools, our community, our veterans, our community members in need. You really see him everywhere in our community.
Why do so many people love Mr. G.? He makes you feel important. He makes you feel valued. He makes you see your own potential and believe you can reach your dreams.
Thank you Mr. G. for your unwavering commitment to our students, colleagues, and community. You are a Lifechanger to me!
Mike is just the type of person I envision when I think of this award. He is a man of action, and the actions he takes are always about doing things for his students, players, and members of his community. In a world of talkers, Mike is a selfless doer. Northfield and Vermont are lucky to have him.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. G for four years. It is evident in our school district that he is admired by all of our students and serves as a trusted advisor to our staff. This award is truly well-deserved, as Mr. G has positively impacted countless lives and exemplifies true leadership
Coach Gonneville is one of the most selfless guys you’ll ever meet. Numerous times he went out of his way to better the players around him. From hosting early morning optional practices to supporting students through academics he has always been there for his team. He went above and beyond at anything I’ve ever seen him do, countlessly improving the community around him. If you ever needed support, whether it be school related or just some life advice he would be there to help you along the way. I’ve never met someone who was more of a team player than this man. It’s been an honor and a privilege to grow up with a mentor like coach G. He’s not only made me a better player, but a better person. Prepping me to be the best person I can be. To this day Mr. Gonneville continues to develop the community to be ready to tackle life with whatever it has to throw at you.
I cannot think of a more deserving person for this award. Mike Gonneville is definitely a life changer. I have known Mike Gonneville for many decades. He has always been a leader, a mentor, and a community role model. What has always amazed me about Mike, is how he has improved himself to help others improve themselves. He continues to look at a broad scope of ways to help everyone achieve more and get the most potential out of themselves as possible. He has always been much more than a teacher and he continues to teach the most valuable lessons of life. I have had the pleasure of coaching with him and learned as much from him as the thousands of kids he coached, including my own two. When Mike is in the midst of a coaching situation I can tell by the look in his eyes that he is already thinking about how to get the most out of the coaching moment, which means being creative and adaptive and quick thinking in his thought process to teach a skill, increase confidence, ensure safety, and push everyone to reach their maximum potential. Mike is a PE teacher - additionally, the school has benefited from his decades of service, leadership, and coaching that include: soccer, high school and youth hockey, golf, Walking Wednesdays, and even a jump rope team. There is no one in or around Northfield who doesn’t know and love “Mr. G.” He brings energy, positivity, and an appreciation of physical fitness to his students, his school, and the surrounding community. We all would be honored to have him receive this award.
Mike Gonneville coached my son in hockey. He was one of the best coaches he ever had and my thirty-something son would whole-heartedly agree. We lived outside the Northfield community but Coach G. never made us feel like outsiders. He taught skills, confidence, teamwork, respect, the importance of hard work, and that feedback meant someone valued your potential. Fun fact: One Christmas, Coach G. gave out little wooden hockey sticks to hang on the tree and we just packed ours up. Coach G. is someone very special and someone who clearly has made a positive and lasting impact on many young lives. Thank you, Coach G.
Coach G - a leader in every sense of the word. Always sets high expectations and never settles. The first to give praise when earned and the last to seek recognition for himself. I had the pleasure of having Coach G as an elementary PE teacher, a soccer coach and now a friend. My kids have had him as a teacher and Coach. He has undoubtedly had the biggest impact on my life. You will never find another teacher or coach that cares more about his students and players, that exudes a winning mentality not only in school and sports but in life, that will literally give the shirt off his back for absolutely anyone. He is inspiring and his constant giving to the community is contagious. This man has literally changed thousands of lives for the better and no one else is more deserving of this award!
When I first returned to Northfield as the Athletic Director at Norwich 3 years ago, it was not long before I reconnected with Coach Gonneville. And, as usual, it was about him looking for ways he could help young people. So, when he asked if he could volunteer with our Norwich women's soccer program, I immediately accepted. Since then, it is no coincidence that the improvement in the team has been dramatic. Our players do not realize their gray-haired "volunteer" is truly a legendary coach, a former National Coach of the Year who coached some of our country's greatest players, because he doesn't talk about that. He has quietly brought to our team an unparalleled knowledge of soccer and a desire to compete that have helped them perform better on the field, but he has done it with humility, and with a genuine desire to help them learn and have fun. He is energetic, positive, selfless and patient. He earns their respect because while he helps them learn, the players see that he values his relationships with them and that he wants to help them enjoy their experience at Norwich, both on and off the field.
Over the last 3 years, in addition coaching, Coach Gonneville also invited our Norwich athletes, on all teams, to participate in his acclaimed "walk to school" program. Northfield kids enjoy walking to school with real college athletes, and it helps them learn to appreciate the value of exercise. But our student-athletes benefit greatly from this program as well, extending Coach Gonneville's positive impact beyond just his own students. It is a valuable opportunity for college athletes to learn how to prioritize what is more important than the scores of their games - giving back to the community, serving as positive role models, and forming bonds with the kids and while having fun being active and healthy.
Having grown up in Northfield, I was fortunate to have Coach Gonneville as my 6th grade PE teacher in the early 80's. And when he came to see me at my new office at Norwich looking to help our soccer program, we reminisced about those years, including the street hockey league he started for his students, and the epic battles we had when he played with us. I was his student when he started the NHS girls' soccer program, which he quickly built into a dynasty that earned national recognition. Even at my young age, it was clear to me that this was a very special teacher and coach - someone who not only loved what he did and was great at it, but who put his heart and soul into it, and who understood the importance of his impact on young lives. That impact has been immeasurable, on thousands of young people, for many years, and certainly deserving of this wonderful award.
Ed Hockenbury
NHS '86
Norwich University Director of Athletics
Coach Gonneville is one of the most selfless guys you’ll ever meet. Numerous times he went out of his way to better the players around him. From hosting early morning optional practices to supporting students through academics he has always been there for his team. He went above and beyond at anything I’ve ever seen him do, countlessly improving the community around him. If you ever needed support, whether it be school related or just some life advice he would be there to help you along the way. I’ve never met someone who was more of a team player than this man. It’s been an honor and a privilege to grow up with a mentor like coach G. He’s not only made me a better player, but a better person. Prepping me to be the best person I can be. To this day Mr. Gonneville continues to develop the community to be ready to tackle life with whatever it has to throw at you.
Mr G Changed my childhood and my life . He was my best friends dad , my jump rope coach , my health and PE Teacher and my high school soccer coach and mentor . I suffered some injuries young and he kept my spirits high and always found a way to creatively include me in team events . He was by far the Best coach I've had in my life , his dedication to the youth in our community is unmatched . His coaching skills pushed me to be the best athlete I could be and I was recruited to play division I college soccer under his leadership . I can think of no greater person deserving of this title as "Life changer of the year " , although in all fairness he has been changing lives for decades !
Mike was the best hockey coach and one of the finest men I have ever met. I could not possibly repay him for all he has taught me, if anyone deserves this, it is Mike gonnevile
Coach G has built an amazing community not just around athletics, but through community outreach and dedication to Northfield.
G is by far the most inspirational man in Northfield, and we are all truly blessed for someone like him to have gone to Norwich and developed a passion for this town in his time there, enough to stay here after his time at Norwich and pour his life into the town and their athletes
I have known Mr.G for many years between every sport my kids played. He is the kind of teacher and coach every parent would want coaching their child. It's always about the students and not about him. He is the reason why we have so many students that want to be successful at anything they do!
Congratulations, Mike. What a wonderful honor. Well deserved!
Decades ago I remember Michael's commitment to a dream come true, a college education at Norwich University, The Military college of Vermont. I was an assistant treasurer, lending officer of the Southeastern Bank and Trust Company, years later purchased by the Bank of Boston. Additionally a friend of his and his parents. His hockey skills were well known in Greater New Bedford. I played a small role in Michael's early life. He needed a student loan, all area banks had the same limitation, $1,500 which was less than the maximum $5,000 he needed. I went to the President of the Bank with a favor, to be able to get a $5,000 loan in return that Michael would become a top student and a successful citizen, even though in high school he was an average student with good hockey skills. Michael knew how important this investment was in his future and the potential future of others. That has become a reality. For over four decades his teaching and coaching talents have positively impacted 100's if not 1,000's of young people. His energy, enthusiasm and tireless work ethic is not surprising to me. Michael a/k/a Rudi deserves your National Life "Life Changer of the Year" award more than anyone that I can imagine. It would be a most deserving recognition for his school, community and all of Vermont! I wish you "all the best" in your decision making.
National Life Group
RE: Comment on Mike Gonneville for “LifeChanger of the Year”
As I think about Mike Gonneville (Mr. G.), nothing but superlatives run through my mind. Wherever Mr. G. goes, excellence travels with him. He is truly sui generis.
I have known of Mike since I first served on the Northfield School Board in the early 1980’s. Even then, as a young teacher and coach who set high standards, he was concerned about his pupils. More than that, he was always working beyond what as normally expected in order to enhance the lives of children. For example, he especially understood the difficulties of children—especially teenagers—who might not have had a positive home environment, or who might be from single parent homes, or might have otherwise had adolescent needs. Mike, without singling out that student, would nurture him/her, and would encourage involvement in whatever he was teaching or coaching.
As a parent, I saw firsthand the impact he had in teaching or coaching my three children. I was especially impressed by the way he taught delicate subjects including health and hygiene, and physical and emotional changes of boys and girls. He was straightforward, no nonsense, and his methods--and the near reverence which students had for him-- took burdens off parents’ shoulders.
I was impressed at the way Mike did extra work on curriculum, much of which was embraced by the State of Vermont, and beyond the State, by regional professionals. Underlying all of this was Mike’s encouragement of wellness, exercise, and diet. He truly helped so many of our children have a proper underpinning as they became young adults and beyond. My children, who now have high school and college aged children themselves, still recall Mike as their preeminent teacher.
Lastly, I viewed Mike as a community member where I saw him always using his experience and training to think “outside the box”: my children participated in his afterschool jump roping program which was popular. He taught coordination, conditioning, working well with others and a lifelong skill. More recently, his Wednesdays Walks have become famous within the Northfield Community and beyond. His walks no longer have just children and parents, but other community members, including the president and staff members of Norwich University, and a different sports team joins in each week. What a wonderful exchange for college students and elementary students alike!
I was so pleased when Mike Gonneville was honored by our community in September as Grand Marshall of our town’s annual Labor Day parade. Instead of riding in an open convertible as all of the prior Grand Marshalls had done through the years, Mr. G. walked! As a father and husband, Mr. G models by example. As a result, he has changed the lives of scores of those of whom he has mentored.
Michael Popowski
Northfield
Coach G is a special kind of person. His enthusiasm, and dedication to teaching, coaching, and growth/development of young people has positively influenced our community for multiple generations. He was my PE teacher and health teacher in elementary school, he was my golf coach and hockey coach in high school, and a mentor/friend in my adult life. Before that, he coached my mom and aunt in high school soccer. Coach G will be remembered for a very long time. His impact through education and sports in Northfield is immense. He has taught me life lessons I will never forget. I appreciate this man for all he has done for me, and for my community. I hope to emulate Coach G. when I enter the coaching domain in my future.
-Jerry Passalacqua
For those that didn’t catch it, I’ve attached a link to Phil Scott’s (yes, THAT Phil Scott) most recent press conference staring Mr G himself!
All very fitting for not just this nomination, but a reminder that there is still good being done in this world!
Thank you G, for all that you do!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-xsDpLCa0iRMj4dQrqum7uoXaQmqeGvT&si=mU5zkZTKUbSXGD0W
Having Mr. G as my PE teacher in elementary school and my golf coach throughout high school is something I’ll always be grateful for. He didn’t just teach us sports; he taught us valuable life lessons about ethics, teamwork, and respect, both on and off the course.
I’ll never forget those 6 a.m. golf practices. The real challenge wasn’t just perfecting our swings—it was convincing ourselves that waking up at that hour was a good idea! But somehow, Mr. G made it fun. He turned those early mornings into something we actually looked forward to. He didn’t just teach us golf; he taught us how to carry ourselves with respect for the game and each other, no matter the score.
Mr. G’s influence on me and so many others has been truly special. I’m thankful to have had him as a coach and mentor, teaching us lessons that went far beyond the game. Thanks, Mr. G, for everything!
Our son is a student at Northfield Elementary and was taken by ‘Mr. G’ the first day we entered the school. He is a true inspiration and leader for the children. From Walking Wednesdays to Comiskey Comet’s JumpRope team, Mr. G is committed to each and every students’ growth, the true meaning of team work, and treating them to never give up. No words can describe the full impact Mr. G has on the students and community as a whole! We appreciate all that he does.
Mike is one of the people that make this community what it is today. Our children are now 28 and 26 and both had Mr G for PE in elementary school. He's a unique in that he seems to know what motivates each and every child. All the kids look up to him and respect him. He's a natural leader. He's been such a huge influence on so many children through teaching and coaching (soccer, hockey and golf to name a few). I would fall into 3 of the 4 categories listed above....parent, community member and friend. He understands and lives by discipline and core values (honesty, integrity, selflessness, hard work and focus) which he instills in all that cross his path. It would be hard to find anyone more deserving of this award. I could go on and on and on but i think his reputation speaks for itself. Mr G - thank you for all you've done and continue to do!!
Mike Gonneville (“Rudy”) is truly a life changer! Decades ago, back in the 80s, I was on the Girl’s Soccer Team that he coached in Northfield. I was also a student of his PE classes. He exemplifies every aspect of what a true coach should be. He leads with passion, and drive. He cared about every individual on the team, and pushed us to grow and be better - at soccer and at life skills. He melded us into a team that supported one another while keeping our eye on the vision as he raised us to be true champions in every sense of the word. To win the state soccer championships but also to champion each other. He taught us that we do not get better without putting in the work - hard work. And most of all, he inspired us to believe - in not only ourselves but the team, the school, the community. He did this by shifting our mindset to always strive for more. He gave us little tiny stickers with a mountain on them that read “You gotta believe.” I often think of that phrase (and still have the sticker) 40 years later! I think that says it all. He is a life true changer! #LCOY
Mike Gonneville has been making an impact on the town of Northfield, Vermont since he graduated from Norwich University, a college in our town. He has been a high school soccer coach, a PE teacher, a mentor, has created healthy practices in the schools, and is such a great person.
This man is the epitome of what life changers are all about. Please consider him in the highest regards for this award.
Mr. G is my PE teacher. I do walking Wednesday's and look forward to it every week. He is my favorite teacher and I wish we had PE everyday.
Mr. G was my favorite teacher in elementary school. He made everyone feel included in his class. I miss Mr. G and wish he could come to Middle School with me!
Mike G is the epitome of incredible educator. He teaches our children the importance of respect, accountability, appreciation and kindness. I was lucky enough to be a student as well as a parent of students that report to Mike and I am so grateful for his part in their education. From Jump Rope to Walking Wednesdays, Mr G has a significant impact on the lives of our youth! I cannot think of a better candidate for LifeChanger of the year!
It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Coach Mike Gonneville for the National Life "LifeChanger of the Year" program. Coach Gonneville has been a cornerstone of the Northfield, Vermont, school community for decades, serving as an elementary and middle school physical education teacher and a successful varsity coach for multiple sports. Known affectionately as "Coach G," his influence transcends the gymnasium and playing fields, shaping generations of students with his unwavering commitment to excellence, character-building, and leadership.
Mike Gonneville is a 1977 graduate of Norwich University, America's first private senior military college in Vermont, founded in 1819. As a cadet, he was well educated, taught and practiced leadership, and instilled with the cardinal virtues of courage, honesty, temperance, and wisdom. Mike not only capitalized on the degree he earned but also inculcated these virtues in his daily practice as a person, professional educator, and coach. These principles have become the foundation of his remarkable ability to inspire, lead, and guide others.
Coach Gonneville coached my wife and has taught and coached all four of my now-adult children. If have witness first hand the positive impact he has had in their lives. My wife became a youth soccer coach in part because of Coach G. He's a coaches coach and a mentor to many young and seasoned coaches. His ability to connect with students of all ages is nothing short of extraordinary. In his decades of teaching, he has instilled not only the fundamentals of physical education but also the values of teamwork, perseverance, and respect. His creative and inclusive approach ensures that every student, regardless of their ability, feels valued and empowered. Whether helping a shy elementary student develop confidence, challenging a middle schooler to achieve a personal best, or exposing the hidden talent of a varsity athlete, Coach G's impact is lasting.
As a varsity coach, Coach Gonneville's record of success on the field is rivaled only by his dedication to mentoring student-athletes off it. His teams have achieved notable accomplishments as high as the Vermont state level, yet he consistently emphasizes character and fair play over championships. Athletes under his guidance graduate with more than athletic prowess—they gain life skills that prepare them for future challenges. His leadership has built a legacy of resilience, integrity, and community spirit.
In every respect, Coach Mike Gonneville epitomizes the qualities celebrated by the LifeChanger of the Year program. His dedication to making a difference in students' lives through education and coaching is inspiring, and his positive influence will be felt for generations to come. than Coach G. I am proud to share Norwich alumni ranks with Coach G, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition
I first met Mike over 20 years ago as a first year teacher. Watching him with my class helped model for me how to create structure and consistency within my classroom. He showed me how you can have high expectations for students, hold them accountable for their learning, and also build community with each other. This helps establish a learning environment where students feel brave enough to take risks, be vulnerable, and fully engage in their learning.
When I returned to the classroom 6 years ago, I had the pleasure of working with him again. This time, what I was able to absorb from his teaching was a genuine love for teaching. Everyday, he modeled what strong relationships with students look like, and most of all, he modeled for me how his passion for his practice and our community were reflected in his classroom.
Mike loves teaching. He loves his students. And he loves his community.
Now, as a friend, I find myself continually reaching out to Mike as a support in my work and personal life. He is one of the most genuine, caring, respectful, loyal and compassionate people I have ever met! I am so lucky to have him not only as a valued colleague, but as a beloved friend.
The students of Northfield are so lucky to have Mr. G as a force in their lives!
It is difficult to put into a single comment box how much of an impact Mr. G has had on students and community members in Northfield. We are so lucky to have him and I appreciate all that he has done and continues to do for the people in his community.
Although I don't have children in the Northfield schools who directly benefitted from Mr G's teaching, coaching, and mentorship of our children I have friends, neighbors, and colleagues whose children have. To a person they speak of his encouraging, totally student-focused approach and of how that prepared them to be better students overall. I've had some of those young people as students in my Norwich University classes and know they went back to the town's schools to assist Mr G in special programs for younger students. This is what mentorship and community building is about and is the most important non-academic lesson any of them learned in K-12.
Thank you for considering my strong support of Mr G.
Mike Gonneville is an inspiring leader. As a past Health Care Committee vice-chair in the Vermont Legislature, it has always been a matter of great pride to me to be able to point to him as a constituent. We have a major health crisis in our country from the lack of physical activity and resulting obesity and related health challenges. Unfortunately, kids follow the examples they see in adults, and in addition, are enticed by electronic media to stay indoors and inactive. This also heightens the social isolation and lack of engagement with peers that is contributing to the mental health crisis among our youth. Yet Mike Gonneville has been able to challenge this paradigm by inspiring his students to a greater love of outdoor activity and engagement. The incredibly successful Wednesday Walk-to-School initiative is only the best known example of building this kind of community; his passion for students and the community go much deeper and continue to have profound impacts.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. G. (Mike) for close to 45 years. I got to know Mike through youth soccer first with my children. He started the Dynamos soccer club and I'm not sure of the exact year, but I like to say, " He is Northfield girls' soccer" and spent countless hours making that program the best in Vermont. He impacted hundreds of kids through soccer, not only making them great soccer players but better people. He always went the extra mile if a kid wanted to stay after and perfect a skill or if I kid just needed to talk. He was always there for them.
Recently he pulled up in front of my house early in the morning to chat as we often did. I let him know I was retiring at end of April 2025 and asked, "what about you, when you are retiring?" His reply was something like this," I do it for the kids and this community, and I really like and enjoy what I do and as long as it remains that way, I will keep doing it" I can't think of a better person who is more deserving of this award than my good friend,"Mr.. G." (Mike)
I don’t even know where to start. M.G is an amazing person all around. He has impacted everyone’s life “ That’s a fact.” Our P.E. Classes couldn’t be better. Even when I had a boot on last year It was still fun. I love how he put me in a position to take on more responsibility. It makes me feel good, and I imagine it would be the same for everyone else. He helped me in 3rd grade when I was doing a vault and fell back and hit my head, he was calm the whole time. He even came to sit with me till the end of the day. That was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. I wish I was still elementary school to have P.E. Classes with you. Now the point is he definitely is recommending for this reward.
I’ve know Mike for over 50 years. He’s a committed and dedicated person endeavoring to improve the lives of all around him and especially school aged children. He could have retired from public education years ago yet he continues on nurturing these students. He would be an excellent choice for for this recognition!
Mr.G is not only an amazing educator but a wonderful community member as well. Mr.G has dedicated many many years to the wellbeing and education of the Northfield youth. He has also inspired many to participate in their own health and physical activity journeys. He does this all while remaining committed, positive, upbeat, and full of care for those he works with. I could not think of someone better to earn an award of this nature. Mr.G is a teacher who has been loved and respected for many years. He is now teaching my kiddos but also taught me and my mother before. His journey and dedication is commendable and appreciated by many families. His ability to be nominated and to hopefully be awarded such an important award will only continue to show how influential he is.
The list of lives changed by Mr. G would be undoubtedly endless. His desire to help others, but especially children, improve their lives through education + physical activity is something I have always admired. No matter the activity, sport or life situation, Mr. G emphasizes you should always strive to not only do your best but to be the best. This belief has propelled many individuals far beyond the field or ice rink, to strive toward their goals and remind us all that things won’t happen until you get out and make them happen. He’s SIMPLY THE BEST.
I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. Mr. G taught me, my daughter and now my granddaughters. He coached my daughter's soccer team (which won 3 out of 4 years while she was in high school). More important than winning was what he taught them - respect and honor being two of the most important traits - and not just while playing soccer, but during life in general. Although he no longer coaches high school soccer, he still teaches elementary school, his students also strive to do their best.
Noone wants to disappoint Mr. G, and many wanted to follow in his footsteps. For instance, my daughter went to college to become a physical education teacher. She deployed to Iraq her junior year and switched to nursing upon her return, but she probably wouldn't have gone to college at all without his influence.
I usually do Walking Wednesdays with Mr. G and all the children - ranging from kindergarten to seniors in high school - where they walk from Norwich University to school, stopping on the way at Veteran's Place to do the Pledge of Allegiance with the residents there.
There are so many great things I could say about Mr. G, but I'm sure it has already been said by his other supporters. I highly recommend him for this award - he is so deserving.
Mr. G is someone who has no limits! He is the real deal! He is not one to sit back and let the world go by. He will actively participate in it and he always wants to be involved in propelling things forward and creating opportunities. This busy, engaged personality that Mr. G encompasses is exactly what our schools, community and the world is lucky to have! The smile on his face and even that chuckle you may hear is so uplifting and you just cannot help but smile too and at the same time wonder what he is scheming up in that endless mind of his! Mr. G likes to have fun and he wants others to know that life's experiences are supposed to be ones you learn from and that you build upon and to be serious in that but not take yourself too seriously! He has high standards and promotes ideals like respect, kindness, understanding, hard work, dedication, timeliness and fun. No matter where you see him, whether it be in his gymnasium, substituting for another staff member, sitting in his chair outside his "classroom" at the end of the day, leading the Walking Wednesday gang down Main St., saying the Pledge of Allegiance around the flagpole at the Veterans Place, guiding the Comiskey Comets to spectacular jump rope levels, coaching a team, cracking a joke in the hallway, playing a round on the golf course, working as the grounds crew at the golf course...you get it...there is no end to where you might see him, he is always out there doing something! He is in his element when he is actively doing something and something he believes in! Mr. G likes to tell you a story, one that you appreciate and connect with, one that sheds light on different times and different situations, one that you can brush off right then because maybe it's not the first time you heard it but most likely it is one that you find yourself coming back to over and over again when faced with a life situation where you need to dig deep to navigate through, and you are grateful that Mr. G shared that with you because it stuck with you and here it is helping to guide you. Mike Gonneville is a bright spot in our world, a positive force of good, a gift that keeps on giving, and one that shows no signs of letting up, and for that we are all so fortunate! He is absolutely, without a doubt a LIFECHANGER!
This recognition is long overdue, and I want you to know how much you mean to me and to the entire community. You have been more than just a P.E. teacher and golf coach to me. Your dedication to nurturing not only athletic skills but also character and personal growth is unparalleled. You taught me the technicalities of golf with patience and precision, but more importantly, you imparted life lessons that have shaped the person I am today. From the importance of discipline, resilience, and integrity to the value of hard work and a positive attitude, your influence reaches far beyond the greens.Your impact resonates deeply within our town. It’s not just your knowledge and skill that make you so respected but also your unwavering commitment to every individual you coach. You create an environment where everyone feels valued and capable of achieving their best, and that sense of encouragement has been life-changing for so many of us. Personally, I will never forget the countless times you took the time to check in with me, whether I was celebrating a win or learning from a tough loss. Your advice and mentorship have helped me navigate challenges both on and off the course, and I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
Mr. G is truly one of a kind! I completed my student teaching with him in 2023 and learned so much. His ability to support students needs and create an inclusive and well structured classroom environment is truly unmatched! Not to mention he’s one of the best people you will ever meet and a true professional!
Mr. G was my teacher when I was small and now I get the privilege to work with him. He is an amazing teacher and he cares about all of his students young and old.
Mr.G, Thank you for being a great coach and friend. I will always consider you as being my role model. I look up to you a lot and appreciate all the things you have done for me and your players. I will never forget all the great soccer memories( 3 state championships). You are one of the people that have made me the person that I am today.
Mike Gonneville is an exceptional educator and a pillar in our community. His dedication, passion, and joy shine daily through his work with the students at Northfield Elementary School and the athletes he coaches. This level of dedication and passion and joy is especially remarkable because Mike has been an educator for many decades and has taught multiple generations of Northfield families. He is a true inspiration in our community. Mike always puts the children first, asking us all, “is this in the best interest of the kids?” I am honored that I get to work with him.
Thank you, Mike, for all you do. You are very deserving of this award!
Mr G!
You can’t say his name without smiling.
He is kind, humorous, and his passion for physical and mental health radiates to the students and to the staff.
He is so dedicated and the Wednesday walk to school,
brings tears to my eyes every time I drive by the group. You’ll see Mr G in the front leading the way,
with students and Norwich cadets in tow.
He always makes time to chat and I have never felt rushed. He puts people first, and you feel that in how he teaches, and talks.
I have known Mr. "G" aka coach since the 1980's. I came to Vermont from Virginia and started Northfield Middle and High School. I didn't have many friends but the ones I did have liked soccer and I had played a little in Virginia. I made the team and Coach G's passion for the game, his discipline and life lessons were engrained in all of us not because it was forced on us but we believed in each other with Coach's family style, developed trust in each other and were a unit.
As I grew older his lessons carried on. I became a nurse, mother and coach for soccer. Coach inspired me to become a member of our soccer club, build a float for 25 years of soccer with the line "the tradition continues" and many other events for the community of Northfield and Vermont. All four of my children have been impacted by Coach and they also have great memories of the commitment, passion, knowledge and perseverance that Coach exuded.
I look forward to hearing of Coach winning this award but if he does not Nikki, thank you for the opportunity in nominating him. We all are able to show how much we love coach Gonneville.
I am one of the lucky people to have had Mr. G as a Teacher and a coach. He is not only a teacher but a huge role model to so many students, including me. His encouragement and positivity can change anyone's day, Mr. G has always been such an inspiration to so many people, no matter the age. Mr. G is the definition of an old school teacher, and that is what makes him an amazing teacher. His way of teaching is like no other, he always makes sure every kid can be enclouded and makes physical activity fun. His wise words and acts of kindness will always stick with me. As a kid you don't really understand how lucky you are to have a teacher and a person like Mr. G in your life, but as you get older you truly realize how lucky you are to say the words "Mr. G was my teacher"
I will always be proud to say that Mr. G was my teacher and coach for years, and I know there are so many other people who can agree.
For me, the saying “you can pick your friends, but not your family” is what hits home in this moment. Makes me thank God for the man I call Dad!
This is a man that lives to help others, he is a “champion” for his community. It is evident by previous comments and the numerous others that will never be posted, that my Father has accomplished exactly that. One of his favorite quotes is “champions are made when no one else is watching”. Everyone in Northfield has seen this champion, so just imagine the effort he has put in to become that.
One last thing about my Dad is that he’s a man whose motivation to do what he’s done has never been for awards or recognition. His motivation has always been the direct impact of his efforts and not the glory for himself. So what makes my Dad so deserving of this award is that this community LifeChanger will take the award and share it with the community he has changed!
I met Mike Gonneville, during the start of the 1993 school year inservice. We were working together in a team building activity. Right away it was clear to me that he was a strong leader not someone that told you what to do but would listen and guide the team to be, the best they could be. I worked with students with multiple needs through the years I would ask Mr G for advice for activities that would help my students and sometime for myself. He is always willing to meet you where you are. His passion to teach lifelong heath and wellbeing is not only for his students but for everyone. Forty- eight years is a long time. From 1976 to today many things have changed in education, school policy , discipline, students abilities, and attitudes. Mr. G has been able to adjust his teaching style to go along with these changes while keeping his love to teach others lifelong activities for a strong body and mind.
My family and I first met Mr. Gonneville in 1997 when we were touring Northfield Elementary School as a perspective school for our daughter. I remember to this day the moment that we happen to come across him in the hallway as the previous principal was giving us a tour. Up until this encounter, my extremely shy daughter had not said a word the whole time until her interaction with this person who bent down to greet her on her level, shake her hand, and introduce himself to her by saying "Hi, young lady, my name is Mr. G and if you decide to come here I will be your P.E. teacher" and then continued to tell her about all the exciting activities he does with his students and took time out of what he was doing to show her the gymnasium and make her feel like she was the most important person at that moment in time. So after going to several other schools for tours in the surrounding area(s) and meeting other educators it was clear that Mr. G stuck out from all the others and we knew where to send her after asking our daughter what she thought about all of the schools she saw and she said "I want to go to the school with the nice P.E. teacher" and that decided it. In the 27 years since that I day, I have had the pleasure of truly getting to know Mr. G by being a parent volunteer, a substitute and then working in the school along side of him as a co-worker. I can tell you Mr. G has never changed from that first encounter with him, our families respect has only grown for him, as he taught our daughter and then years later our son. To this day he still greets every potential new student the same way as he did way back then. If you were to ask any student that has or currently does attend NES they will tell you that they look forward to PE class or one of the many before or after school activities with him. I know I do not speak just for myself when I say that he truly touches the lives of ALL students at NES and he is more than the PE teacher, he is the foundation of NES! We are truly blessed that he continues to have such a positive impact on the children of our community. Thank you, Mr. G., the students are so lucky to have you in their lives because of all that you give of yourself day after day, by encouraging them be their best self and letting them reach their potential no matter their limitations. You are truly remarkable and I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this award and anyone that knows you knows that this is "not" a job for you, that you feel just as blessed that you get to be a part of the student lives as well, and that is what makes you extraordinary at what you do.
He is a great P.E. teacher because he helps us all with our physical body condition. And he motivates his students and cares about us and anyone he meets.
Mr. G is one of the most important people in the world because he is always doing what’s best and is a big inspiration for all. I love how he’s always thinking of new ideas for the school. All of my friends at school are so excited to go to gym because Mr. G is there. Mr. G is a wonderful man and completely deserves to win.
I really appreciate Mr.G. He has impacted all of our lives. He has made physical education really fun. Mr.G is a P.E teacher, Norwich soccer coach, and the Middle School golf coach. He has been teaching P.E for over 40 years! Just think of all the lives he has changed in that time. He is amazing and makes a difference for all of us.
Mr. G is the best because he does Walking Wednesday and then Jump Rope Club in the same morning. Also, he is always so happy to see his students. He does a great job on Tuesday and Thursday mornings because he also coaches Fitness Club, which means he does something for his students every morning. He is very patient and has impacted our lives every time we visit him. I am just a fifth grader, but I know he should be the LifeChanger of the Year.
I think I heard about Mr. G. before I ever stepped foot on the campus of NES. After all, whenever you ask someone about the school, one of the first things they mention is Mr. G. He is an institution and has made an impact on so many people's lives. Whether he has served as a student’s coach, PE teacher, or both, everyone knows who Mike Gonneville is, and everyone loves and respects him.
Watching Mr. G prepare for PE class, you can see the passion he has for teaching others. After all, he doesn’t just phone it in and plan a game of dodgeball. Instead, he creates elaborate obstacle courses across the gym floor. There is something to challenge each student in the class. As students run, he encourages them along and prompts their classmates to do the same. Mr. G. believes it is just as important to work together to reach a goal as it is for the individual to find success.
Such a belief is evident through the Cominsky Comet Jump Rope Team that he coaches. Being on the team provides a way for individuals to shine while also working as a group. Mr. G spends hours helping students train, encouraging them to be creative, and then promoting their great achievement during the final performances. For Mr. G, watching others achieve success is what teaching and coaching are all about. The victories aren’t his; they are the team’s or the class’s; the victories belong to the students and players.
Watching Mr. G with the students, it is easy to tell why they respect him and never want to miss PE. It isn't because PE is fun (though we all know it is), but it is because Mr. G has high expectations, and the students don't want to let him down. His enthusiasm for his craft inspires everyone around him to rise to the occasion, to lift their own game. He makes you want to be better at what you do; he makes you want to be better for others as well. He motivates us all to work together, to remember we aren't in this alone; we are a team. Such a mantra causes his impact on the world to be multiplied as we each pass along his guidance to others. It is for this reason that I wholeheartedly support him as the LifeChanger of the Year.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike Gonneville for several years, first by reputation (my husband had him as a PE teacher and always spoke highly of him), then as my children's PE teacher, and Cominsky Comet coach, and currently as a colleague and friend. Regardless of how much time has passed, or what role he's in at the time, G is who he is, wherever, whenever, and with whomever, doing whatever! I think I can count on one hand the number of people I can say that about. His morals, dedication, expectations, his character is what makes Mike, Mike!
Whether you are a preschooler at NES following “the G train” (why walk in a boring line when you could follow conductor G and his train whistle), or introducing meditation techniques to overwhelmed 5th graders, Mr G's expectations are clear, direct, simple and respected, come prepared, be on time, try hard, and be team player. “G” not only teaches the definition of stamina and perseverance, he leads by example.
Yet despite all his amazingness and praise, Mike is a very humble man. In fact when I told him I was going to create a “Wall of Fame” outside his mini gym, complete with newspaper clippings, pictures, and a QR code highlighting this nomination he blushed and grumbled something about “remember it's not about me, it's about the we”.
Perhaps its years away or just around the corner, the day will come when Northfields Elementary School will open its doors without "Mr G" and I can't imagine a better way to recognize his decades of hard work and dedication to multiple generations of NES students, athletes, and the community by awarding him with the honor of National Lifes, LifeChanger of the year!
Mr Gonneville, I know that you don't need to receive this award to know how incredible you and your dedication to our kids, and community is. I know, you know, that you've made an impact on countless lives, and I know, you do it all expecting nothing in return. However, you deserve this recognition, and I will do all that can to make this happen for you, because, well, you've frigging earned it!
Great dedicated teacher!!! My kids enjoy PE and jump rump!
Mr. G has had a profound impact on generations of children's lives. His lessons in perseverance and resilience have inspired students to tackle challenges with confidence. From early morning Fitness Club sessions to inclusive after-school sports activities, Mr. G has created a supportive environment where students can thrive.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mr. G's teaching is his ability to foster self-worth in all students. He's helped children who struggle in the classroom find their strengths through sports and leadership opportunities. For example, he's paired older students who struggle with a traditional classroom environment with younger ones midday to provide mentorship and support. Both students leave the experience with elevated self-worth.
Beyond his classroom work, Mr. G's dedication to the community is truly inspiring. He's organized countless extra-curricular activities, including jump rope team performances, Walking Wednesdays, and after-school athletics teams. His commitment to providing a safe and active space for students has had a positive impact on their overall well-being. He lights a fire for a life-long love of learning through fitness in everyone around him.
I'm grateful for the positive influence Mr. G has had on my daughters and their classmates. His dedication to teaching, mentoring, and fostering a supportive learning environment is truly commendable. He deserves to be recognized for his outstanding contributions to our school community and beyond!
Mike arrived in the Northfield school system and changed the lives of many by raising up sports for girls but did so while not putting down the good things that were already in place. That is the way change should take place.
He challenges not only his students to be the best, but also the school system itself to always do its best for all students. In a system that is not overflowing with money, he finds ways to make the students feel rich in the things that are important in life. That is a life changing skill at work.
The irony is that while Mike changes lives, he does so by not changing his core beliefs: hard work leads to success in life; treating ourselves and others with respect is fundamental to making the world a better place; and learning from mistakes is key to continued growth in all of us.
Don’t we want our life-changers to be the kind of people who hold fast to believing in the best we can be in a world that gives so many chances to take the easier path? Mike Gonneville is that kind of person. His “unwavering self” has positively changed MANY students, the school system itself, and our town as a whole—and that will not change.
I am one of the lucky ones to have not only had G as my p.e teacher but also had the great pleasure of my kids having him as thier p.e teacher as well. The athletic achievements and education achievements are well know to everyone and obviously well deserved. The thing about Mr. G that has always stood out for me is his second to none character. As a younger person having G as your teacher, the things he says or stands for might not completely register for years to come for some of us. But, once you hit that age of maturity you start to really appreciate the fact that you were one of the lucky ones to have witnessed greatness in every sense of the word. In a world full of entitlement and instant gratification, Mr. G has stood his ground on the morales of "you get what you earn" "be on time" and when things get tough sometimes you just have "persevere".
A shout out to Nikki (Atwood) Cook for submitting Mr. G's name and I am honored to be able to submit my thoughts to support this nomination! To have someone come to NU as a student in the 70's, graduate with a bachelors and masters degree from our local university, remain in Northfield as an educator in Northfield's school system AND still thriving over 46 years later...he is so deserving of this award! Mr. G was my elementary school PE teacher and I remember when I went through some bad tendonitis in both of my knees, was on crutches and had to wear knee braces, he rode the elevator with me. Why? He didn't want me to feel left out and go by myself while my classmates were all able to take the stairs. He didn't have to do that, but he chose to do that. I was in elementary school when he started the Comiskey Comets and it was so much fun. Mr. G encouraged us to be creative with our individual, small and large group routines and we were even able to travel to other schools to perform. He made movement so much fun. When I entered high school and he was the Varsity girls soccer coach, he asked me to be the manager for the team. Absolutely! He taught me how to keep the books and he included me in some of the game day management. As I look back, I realized that he helped to form my strong interest in sports statistics, which led me into a sports information work-study job in college. Sports information ended up being my first career out of college and Mr. G helped to build that framework for me. As I have learned over the years that he has Walking Wednesdays, what a wonderful event for the kids and their families. A small gesture of stopping at the Four Seasons to have the kids wave to the residents is absolutely amazing. Then, to have them recite the Pledge at the Veterans Place...just absolute incredible what Mr. G has been instilling in our local youth. He is an inspiration to not only his former students of over four decades, but generations of family members and I am confident he continues to be an inspiration to anyone who has ever met him. He is so deserving of this LifeChanger of the Year award!
I have worked alongside Mike Gonneville for the past 9 years and am beyond impressed with his passion of 'inspiring others'. Mike focuses on providing clear guidelines and adaptations so all students can benefit from physical education. He believes that health and wellness are integrative in everything we do and think and aspires to share this and many other foundational character building traits with all humans, big and small. His legacy extends beyond what many veteran teachers leave behind since he is integrative in the Northfield Community, a coach, a teacher, a volunteer, and he has spearheaded wellness movements that continue on after 30+ years. Before school, during school, and after school Mike Gonneville brings his passion of health, movement, nutrition, fitness, and positive thinking into our community. I wholeheartedly nominate Mike to receive the LifeChanger of the Year Nomination.
There has never been an individual more deserving of this recognition than Mr. G. His abilities to reach all levels, all ages and encourage each and every one to reach their best self is inspiring! Whether coaching, teaching, volunteering, or serving on a board Mike always brings his best self. He has grit, he has gumption and he gets results, whether from the quiet 2nd grader sitting on the sideline or the front line on the ice. Mr. G has earned the love and respect of so many in our small community, and his dedication to his "place" is second to none. The lessons Mr. G teaches go well beyond the classroom. Generations of individuals have been influenced by his guidance and care, and many credit their success by what they learned from Mr. G, a deserving LifeChanger!
I have had the honor of working with Mike Gonneville since moving to Vermont in 2006. He is far and away every student's favorite teacher. He means what he says and says what he means, and the children respect him tremendously. My own child hated to write, but when he left NES after the 5th grade, he wrote Mr. G a letter letting him know what an impact he made on him. This kid did this all by himself, it wasn't an assignment. That alone should be enough to convince ANYONE of the influence this man has had during his stellar career as an educator. Mr. G is the first one in the building in the morning, and when he leaves in the afternoon, it's to go coach. He is always working on ways to better his students, our school, and our community. I am thrilled Mr. G has been nominated for this award, no one deserves it more.
Mr. G! What a gent!
Can you believe he doesn't even look spent?!
He's still walking all around the town!
He picks you up when you are down!
Mr. G! What a guy!
He always tells us, try try try!
His message is felt in all our hearts,
that, we're all our best when we do our parts!
Mr. G! What a trouper!
Helping all of us become extra super!
He is sure deserving of many accolades!
His light in us will never fade!
Mr. G. is a legend and a treasure! Northfield is so very lucky to have him. Another of the many amazing things he does for our students, our schools, and our community is devoting time every school-year to teaching physical activities--volleyball, floor hockey, bowling, etc.--in Northfield Elementary School's 21C afterschool enrichment program. Mike sets high behavior and participation expectations for his students, whether they're in the gym, on the field, or walking to school on Wednesdays; and because he is such a wonderful educator who builds strong relationships with his students, they are eager to work toward the goals he sets.
The Northfield School System is beyond fortunate to have had Mr. G in their orbit. Coming from the perspective of a former athlete on his soccer team, I learned so many life lessons in those years under his leadership. We took training seriously and it was instilled in us that we had to work hard to get results. One particular example that demonstrates this is how there were a handful of soccer players who wanted to put in some extra time to build our skills in the offseason. What did Mr. G suggest? Let's get together in the gymnasium from 6-7:30a twice a week. It was grueling to be a teenager and wake up at 5:15a to go do drills and sprints in the gym for 90 minutes, but there was such a sense of community and dedication in that gym that it was more than worth it. This particular period tested my work ethic and taught me so much about myself and my values. (I want to note that these sessions were on Mr. G's time, as well! But I got the sense that these sorts of opportunities energized him as much as it energized us.) I honor Mr. G's profound care for his community and he's incredibly deserving of this LifeChanger award. Nearly 20 years since graduating from Northfield High, I think back on to my time at school and Mr. G is always a key player in my reflections and gratitude for what I had growing up. Should all kiddos have someone like Mr.G in their corner!
There are no words to describe this man. He is a huge asset to the community, from walking with kids to school and stopping in front of the Veterans home to do the National Anthem to being a huge mentor to children. He is shaping them to be the best they can be. Playing soccer under him he made me understand I was capable of more than I sometimes gave, a lesson I still instill in myself. Not many people leave you with a life lesson, but he succeeded and I will forever be grateful. I would like you to consider him for you "Life Changer of the Year" award I cannot think of anyone more deserving.
Thank you so much for considering Mike Gonneville for your "Life Changer of the Year" as I am pleased to have this opportunity to endorse him! Mr. G is very deserving of this award. Mike taught physical education to my three children through their years in Northfield Elementary School and he had a very positive influence on them in many ways. One thing he instilled in them was a sense of daily physical activity leading to a happy and healthy life. He made sure his students understood that daily exercise didn't have to require fancy equipment, a coach, or a high level of physical ability. Anyone and everyone can lead an active life including simple things such as jumping rope and walking to school.
Mr. G and my daughter developed a deeper relationship when he coached her high school girl's soccer team. He asked a lot of her and she loved it! He taught her that hard work can pay off and team work was crucial to success. She learned a lot of life lessons under G's tutelage. Each season he would present every player with an index card. One side of the card listed a couple of specific soccer skills that the player could work to improve while the other side listed a couple of skills that they performed very well. My daughter still has her card, because it meant a lot to her, and it's interesting how his analysis of soccer skills applies to her daily life as an adult many years later.
Mr Gonneville always brought out the best in his pupils. He always listened to them.From being the physical education teacher to starting the Dynamos soccer, he has earned the respect and admiration from the community.
Mike Gonneville has been a staple of our community and has devoted his time with the students and children of our small town. From coaching to teaching and many hours of volunteer work, there is no better candidate for what your company is looking for in a life changer.
In my experience with my school-aged sons at the time, in Northfield from 2010 - 2021; Mr. Gonneville was a driving force in many students and parents' lives. From his physical education days to soccer coaching, golf coaching, mentoring students, and being supportive to so many kids, he has been a consistent and positive driving force for so many.
Many lives have been positively impacted by the teaching methods Mr. G has brought to the forefront of NES, to his motivation and consistent drive to continue with Walking Wednesdays to school, to encourage kids how exercise in our daily lives is so important, but the critical aspect of staying healthy, to include exercise, plays a key role to making healthier decisions to get outside and play to breath clean air, as opposed to being inside on electronics, and attempting to be a kid in a world that has evolved in less human contact. Mr. G has been an inspiration and a valuable community member.
We have had many discussions and I will cherish those and the memories he made with my sons. I am honored I was part of a community that involved Mr. G! He definitely deserves "LifeChanger of the Year" :-)
Mr. G has achieved the highest measures of excellence as a coach and teacher, leading a nationally-ranked high school girls soccer team and working at the highest levels of US women’s soccer. And yet, his focus has always been on his local community. He has never tried to convert his success into his own individual quest to climb any kind of social or professional ladder. That is truly rare in this day and age of school choice, specialization, and transfer portals. Mr G. is here, day in and day out, for the kids of Northfield. He has had a positive impact on more lives than anyone could count.
I worked with Mike for 40 some years at Northfield Elementary School. He is the most devoted teacher I have ever known! He feels strongly that Physical Education is the most important part of the school curriculum because it prepares students to lead healthy lives. Mike engages children in fun activities that boost their confidence and challenges them to try new movements that will benefit them throughout their lives. Holds himself to a high standard and expects students and colleagues to do the same. And he involves the whole town in his coaching and teaching. He really deserves this honor!
Mr. G has been a positive influence on the lives on my three sons who are all now graduates on Northfield High School. One day while driving my sons to school we were watching Mr. G walk his “walking Wednesday” group through town and I told my kids he is the kind of man that they name buildings after because he is such a positive influence on so many people in this town. I love how he holds kids to a high standard of behavior and doesn’t tolerate disrespect, this is rare and what many kids need in their lives. Much thanks to Mr. G!
Mr. G is the highlight of every kid's day and a community treasure. His Walking Wednesday program has won state awards and we are so lucky have him supporting our kids.
I live on Main St in Northfield and so enjoy Mr G and his ‘Walking Wednesday’. They make a stop with the residents of Four Seasons Home and bring smiles to the residents. Mr G then leads them towards school with a stop at The Veterans Place to say the American Pledge at the flag. Mr G is changing lives by fostering community, patriotism, and physical education in our young people. Thank you Mr G!!
I had the privilege of being coached by Coach G in the early years. There were two phrases that he frequently said to us - "never give up and never give in" and "you gotta believe". I cannot count the number of times those phrases have gone through my head and guided me over the years. He was then, and over 40 years later still remains, one of the most influential people in my life.
Coach G's drive and commitment to both health and the children of Northfield is unparalleled. We are lucky to have him.
What an appropriate honor for Mike Gonneville! he has never stopped encouraging kids, and his leadership has shown them how to be better, healthier citizens. I am older than he is, so I never had him as a teacher, but my children did, and they support this nomination as well!
Mr. G. has said, "It's not about ME, it's about WE."
When you hear “Northfield, VT” it makes you think of two things…One is the home of Norwich University and the other is Mike Gonneville, aka Mr. G. Mr. G was my mentor teacher when I went through the student-teacher process my senior year at Norwich University. The following year, he became my colleague and we worked together for six years at NES & NMHS. In my time working with Mr. G, he showed me not only how to be a good teacher and mentor to my students, but how to go above and beyond every day. Mr. G is a prime example of someone who goes above and beyond daily. Not only for his students, but for his community. From Walking Wednesdays to the jump rope club, he is always creating opportunities for his students to move, but to also be a part of something as a whole. There’s parts of a teacher’s day that you would never even imagine that could happen. Mr. G thrives on being prepared and problem solving when an issue arises. He mentored me to not only teach my students what PE is, but how to make an impact on why PE is important and how everyone has something that they can do to move their body in order to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Besides teaching movement concepts and sport skills, Mr. G also teaches life skills to his students and athletes. His clear level of expectations and his “don’t tell me, show me” attitude are key components to his success not only as a coach, but as a teacher. His students know that he believes in them and that little bit of faith makes a huge impact. To this day, Mr. G is not only an old colleague but a friend. We still keep in touch and collaborate different games, skills and concepts for our PE classes. Mr. G is an incredible teacher. He helped mold me into the teacher I am today and I thank him for that.
Mr. G has been a mentor to so many in the town of Northfield. He was my P.E. teacher, as well as coach on the Comisky Comets team. Then 22 years later did the same for my daughter for both P.E. and the Comisky Comets. As well as coached her on the golf team. He cares so much about our students success and teaches them to care about it as well. If you are willing to put in the time he will always be there with you no matter how much of his personal time it takes up.
Mr. G. has been a mentor, and has taught me so many life skills. I was a part of his soccer program from dynamos to varsity. I was a manager of the varsity team in 6th grade. Mr G. was a 2nd dad to me. He inspired me to study and be a physical education teacher. I am honored to have been taught and coached by Mr. G.