FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Physical Education Teachers of the Year and National Athletic Director of the Year Announced at Educators Convention

RESTON, VA, April 06, 2009 – Honoring the elite of the physical activity, physical education and sport professions, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) today announced the National Physical Education Teachers of the Year (TOY) for Elementary, Middle School and High School levels as well as the National Athletic Director of the Year who were selected at its annual Hall of Fame Banquet in Tampa, FL this past week. National award winners were:

• Elementary TOY Joanna Faerber, Louisiana State University Laboratory School;
• Middle TOY Lynn Barry, Thora B. Gardiner Middle School, OR;
• High School TOY Lisa Summers, AG West Black Hills High School, WA; and
• Athletic Director Ronnie Chavis, Robeson County Schools, NC.

   The National Physical Educator of the Year Awards are given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today's youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. The purpose of the National Athletic Director of the Year Award is to give recognition to athletic administrators around the country who exemplify the highest standards of their profession.

    Olympic softball gold medalist Dot Richardson, M.D., Dr. Jay Coakley, professor emeritus of sociology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Dr. Lawrence F. Locke, professor emeritus, Schools of Education and Physical Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, were inducted into the NASPE Hall of Fame. Sally J. Scherrer, executive director of the Central District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance received the Joy of Effort award. Michael P. Schwenk, retired physical education director for the Half Hollow Central School District, received the Channing Mann Outstanding Physical Education Administrator Award, and Dr. Andy Gillentine, associate professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Florida, received the Sport Management Outstanding Achievement Award.

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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.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides 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. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.