FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Peter Werner to be Honored at National Educators Convention

Black Mountain resident Dr. Peter Werner, professor emeritus, Department of Physical Education, at the University of South Carolina, will be honored on Friday, April 11 in Fort Worth, Texas, at the annual convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), with the Joy of Effort Award by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

According to NASPE President Craig Buschner of California State University at Chico, "This award is given in recognition of those individuals who, by performance and style, have personified the concept that the effort made to enrich the goals and objectives of physical education and sport is a labor of love, inspired by commitment and dedication."

The award will be presented at NASPE's Hall of Fame Banquet where the National Physical Education Teachers of the Year for Elementary, Middle School and High School, the National Physical Education Administrator of the Year as well as the Athletic Director of the Year Award will be announced. Track and field Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis will be inducted into the NASPE Hall of Fame.

"A superior teacher, Peter Werner's modeling of excellent teaching, research, and service activities are truly exemplary," said former graduate student Kevin Hussey, Ph.D. of Eastern Illinois University.  "He consistently maintains the highest standard of excellence with a smile on his face that exemplifies his love, passion and joy of effort along the way."

Werner has shared his creative and innovative methods for teaching motor skills, dance, gymnastics and outdoor adventure education through numerous presentations at state, national and international levels.  He easily sells the importance and priority deserving of quality movement experiences for all developmental levels and walks of life. In addition, his work with the American Master Teacher Program documents his leadership skills and his passion for sharing quality effective teaching for learning concepts and skills in the physical education profession.  His leadership role as the editor of Teaching Elementary Physical Education (TEPE) further supported his passion and joy to spread good news for quality daily physical education.

A dedicated NASPE/AAHPERD member, Werner currently serves as the chair of the editorial board of Strategies, a peer-reviewed journal for physical and sport educators.

Werner received his Bachelors of Science degree from LaCrosse State University in Wisconsin, and both his Masters of Science and P.E.D. degrees from Indiana University.

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 16,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, sport management professionals, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs through research, development of standards, and dissemination of information.  It is the largest of the five national associations that make the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD).  To assess whether your child is receiving a quality physical education program, visit www.naspeinfo.org/observePE  for an observation assessment tool.

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Contact:
Paula Keyes Kun
pkun@aahperd.org 
(703) 476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

The vision of AAHPERD is "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!" Headquartered in Reston, VA, 25 miles west of Washington, DC, AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport--all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. Its mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport by providing its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.