American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

2013 Central District Award Winners

Central District is very proud of the great educators we have working with our children. The passion, leadership and excellence demonstrate by our teachers is a true inspiration of our profession. Please join us in congratulating the following individuals.

Central District 2013 NDA K-12 Dance Educator of the Year Award Linda Marsh (COAHPERD)

Linda is a master teacher at Saint Mary's Academy in Colorado. She has studied at the Royal Academy of Dance and the University of Surrey (England) and danced professionally with the London Festival Ballet. She has presented at the National Dance Education Organization, AAHPERD and COAHPERD conventions. For Linda Marsh Dance is a way of life and she knows that students need the opportunity to explore dance in all its facets. Linda uses her Choreography, Performance and Appreciation of the art form for students to know and understand the history and culture of dance in its greater context.

Central District 2013 NASPE Elementary Teacher of the Year Sue Wright (COAHPERD)

Sue currently teaches Physical Education at Summit Elementary School in Divide, Colorado. Her contributions and achievements specific to the HPERD profession demonstrate Sue's professionalism and obvious love for Physical Education and teaching. She is an innovative, creative, integrative, teacher and takes great pride in that she serves as a… "positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness." 

2013 Central District and NASPE National Middle School Teacher of the Year Jason Busche (KAHPERD)

Jason is a K-8 teacher at Anthony Elementary Middle School, Kansas. He is passionate about his profession and his love and respect for physical activity has motivated him to make a difference in the lives of others. He provides brain breaks for the classroom teachers, supervises a before school activity program and has integrated activities like Trikkes, Indo Boards, Slacklines, Socci, Archery in Schools, and a climbing wall into his curriculum. One of his greatest joys is learning from others and passing information on to his students.

Central District NASPE Secondary Teacher of the Year Tari Garner (MOAHPERD)

Tari is a physical education instructor at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She is passionate about physical education and the opportunity to advocate for our discipline as well as mentor and encourage young leaders through her professional endeavors. In her free time Tari enjoys many outdoor activities such a kayaking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, tennis and golf. She had taught physical education for thirty-one years and loves the opportunity to teach young people about healthy lifestyle choices.

2013 Central District AAHPERD Honor Awards

Deb Stephenson has served IAAHPERD as Co-Convention Manager, Exhibits Manager, Health Vice President and President (2005-2008). Her CDAAHPERD experience is just as extensive and includes: Collaboration Committee Chair, Dance Education Chair, Nominating Committee and Dance Division Vice President (2 terms). Most recently, Deb has accepted the privilege and challenge of serving as Central District President-Elect.

Rheba Vetter has served as MOAHPERD Dance Division Chair 2006 – 2009 and Central District as Dance Division Vice President twice 2004 – 2006 and 2013 – 2014. She has a long and distinguished career with multiple presentations, choreographies, publications, lectures, and community service contributions. Rheba has enjoyed a long and distinguished professional HPERD and dance education career.

2013 Central District AAHPERD Honor Award

Amy Heuer has earned the reputation for being the backbone of NDAAHPERD. Currently she is Co-Executive Director, Past-President 2007-09, Vice President of General 2006-07, Health 2004-06 and Middle School 2002-04 Divisions. Within CDA she has served as Membership Committee Chair and Dance Division Vice-President. Most recently she served on the AAHPERD District Restructuring Committee.

2013 Kathleen Kinderfather Award

Teton Adaptive Sports is a Wyoming non-profit (501c3) corporation with the mission of establishing a comprehensive program supporting sports and recreational activities for people with disabilities living in or visiting the Greater Teton Area in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, TAS exists in an area abundant with outdoor recreational opportunities. TAS believes that these opportunities could and should be available to everyone. For more information on supporting Team Jackson Hole in their efforts to raise awareness and funding for Teton Adaptive Sports, contact us at info@teamjacksonhole.com.

2013 Mark Harvey Legacy Recognition Award

Gay Hughes (WAHPERD) has always been known as a helper, mentor, encourager, inspirer, leader, promoter, and a pusher. Gay has taught and coached at all levels and served in a variety of leadership capacities in all aspects of the AAHPERD family. The leadership of Wyoming, Central District, and NASPE have benefited from the high character, leadership, and fun factor displayed every day by Gay Hughes. Teaching, dancing, mentoring, leading, and giving are traits that come to mind when we think of Dr. Mark Harvey. This true "servant leader" embodies the life and legacy of Dr. Mark Harvey.

Division Merit Awards

2013 Dance Division Merit Award - Julia Spresser of Pittsburg State University, KS earned KAHPERD's 2008 Dance Educator of the Year, teaches dance workouts most days and has taught Zumba in twelve states and Paraguay.  Julia has served as the CDA Dance Division Vice-President and has given 6 AAHPERD, 9 Central District and 13 state association dance presentations. She is a Master Zumba Instructor and her students actively seek her classes. She has also motivated many students into teaching various PSU dance classes!

2013 Sport & Physical Education Division Merit Award - Betsy Silva serves as Department Chair of Physical Education and Health at Black Hills State University. She has been a contributing member of SDAHPERD for 19+ years having served as Secondary Physical Education and Aquatics Section Chair all the way up to President. Dr. Silva's passion for the Physical Education profession is apparent through accomplishments as an educator, advocate, and role model.

2013 Physical Activity & Recreation Merit Award - Mike Bradley, WAHPERD's 2007 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year and Past-President has been teaching at Riverton Middle School for 23 years. Mike models an active lifestyle through many recreational activities, coaching and participating in team sorting and penning. Whenever WAHPERD or Central District needs someone to "Cowboy Up" Mike is the man who steps up and gets the work done!

2013 Health Division Merit Award - Marilyn Jensen, SDAHPERD has been an advocate for health education for over 25 years.  She has taught in both K-12 and higher education and has been consulted regularly by the state departments of Health and Education. She has conducted numerous health education workshops and was a key player in developing the state health education standards.

2013 Presidential Citations

2013 District Scholar Bridget Duoos

Dr. Bridget Duoos, Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, received our 2013 District Scholar Award. Dr. Folsom-Meek's nomination letter stated… "Her background is physical education and health education, with graduate specialization in biomechanics at the master's and doctoral levels. Dr. Duoos teaches biomechanics, kinesiology, physical education pedagogy, research methods for exercise science and motor development at her university, and her versatility in the physical education profession is exemplary. Few higher education physical education pedagogists have the knowledge and ability to integrate biomechanical principles in their courses." Dr. Duoos's informative scholarly lecture was presented to an appreciative audience at our 2013 convention in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Central District Members Earning Recognition at the 2013 AAHPERD National Convention in Charlotte, NC.

2013 AAHPERD Ruth Abernathy Scholarship Recipient Jamie Golden (SDAAHPERD) is a Physical Education K-12 senior at Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota. She served as the Council of Future Professional Representative and was a valued contributing member to the Central District Executive Board.