National Association for Sport and Physical Education
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NASPE Teacher of the Year (TOY) Required Application Material

-Application Form

-Publicity Information Form

-Five (5) Criteria: The applicant should discuss qualifications relevant to the following five TOY criteria.  Use a separate sheet for each criteria.  Each response may not exceed one page single-spaced, 12 point font.

  • Criterion 1: Conducts a quality physical education program as reflected in NASPE standards and guidelines for K-12 physical education programs.
  • Criterion 2: Utilizes various teaching methodologies and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students.
  • Criterion 3: Serves as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
  • Criterion 4: Participates in professional development opportunities.
  • Criterion 5: Provides service to the profession through leadership, presentations, and/or writing.

-Two (2) Essays: The applicant should answer each of the following essay questions to the best of their ability.  Use a separate sheet for each essay.  Each response may not exceed one page single-spaced, 12 point font.

  • Essay 1: What is your philosophy of teaching physical education?
  • Essay 2: What makes your physical education program different from other physical education programs?

-Three (3) Letters of Recommendation: One letter should be from the teacher's current principal.  The other two letters may be from colleagues, current or former students, parents of current or former students, school district officials, etc.
-Video (this requirement is due Feb. 1st, and only for district TOYs who are going on to compete for the National TOY award)
The video should be one running clip of a lesson or a segment of a lesson.  The video should be no longer than 30 minutes.  Any part of the video that runs past the 30 minutes will not be available for the TOY selection committee to view.

Specifications for the video:

  • The video should be the highest quality possible using the best recorder you can find, digital preferred.  There should also be a very clear audio track and the TOY should wear a wireless microphone.
  • Format: NTSC video: Windows Media Video (.avi .wmv), QuickTime (.mov), MPEG (.mpg).
  • Resolution: 640x480 px or 320x240 px (it can be larger than 640x480, but not under 320x240).
  • Make sure to burn a DATA dvd or cd, not a MOVIE dvd or cd.
  • Video in a VHS format or some other format should be transferred to the specifications listed above before sending it to NASPE.

A written lesson plan and video introduction should accompany the video.  The introduction should introduce the unit being taught in the video, briefly explain what has been taught in the lessons/days before this lesson, explain what class activities have taken place before the camera starts rolling, and what will continue after the 30 minute video clip ends.  The lesson plan, using the lesson plan template, should be of that class period's lesson with an indication of where the video starts and ends.  Please do not submit your entire unit plan.