FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

RESTON, VA, March 22, 2010 – 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 Indianapolis this past week. National award winners were:

• Elementary TOY Lana Peterson-Pressler, Rousseau Elementary School, Lincoln, NE; 
• Middle TOY Darlene Koerber, Tyler Consolidated Middle School, Sistersville WV;
• High School TOY Clayton Ellis, Aurora Central High School, Aurora, CO; and 
• Athletic Director Roy Turner, Eugene Ashley High School, Wilmington, 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 gymnast Shannon Miller, Darlene Kluka, full professor and coordinator of sport management programs at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida, and Marian Franck, retired physical education teacher, coach and administrator with the School District of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, were inducted into the NASPE Hall of Fame. John Hichwa, retired physical education teacher and education consultant of Redding, Connecticut, received the Joy of Effort award. Georgi Roberts, director of health and physical education for the Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas received the Channing Mann Outstanding Physical Education Administrator Award, and Jacquelyn Cuneen, professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio received the Sport Management Outstanding Achievement Award.

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Contact:
Paula 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.