Massachusetts association for health, physical education, recreation and dance Inc.

Nominations

• McKenney Award

  The Joseph McKenney Award is the highest award the Association can bestow on a member in recognition of distinguished service to one or more of the professions in the Association.

  Criteria:

  1. The candidate is a current member of MAHPERD and has been for at least fifteen years.
  2. The candidate must have held an allied organization membership in their field for five years at some point.
  3. The candidate must have served as a MAHPERD Executive Board member or have volunteered service to the MAHPERD organization.
  4. The candidate must have demonstrated exemplary service, leadership, and contributions to the profession, MAHPERD and the youth of the state.
  5. The candidate should reflect the spirit of devoted service to the profession and creative leadership in the field.

• Honor Award

  The Honor Award is a noteworthy award given to a member who has made significant strides in the fields of Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the eligibility requirements and award criteria:

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The candidate is a current member of MAHPERD and has been for at least ten years.
  2. The candidate must have held an allied national organization membership in their field for five years at some point.
  3. The candidate must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in their current specialized field.

  Award Criteria:

  1. The candidate should be a Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance professional whose life and contributions have inspired youth of the state within the field.
  2. The candidate must demonstrate outstanding ability as a teacher, practitioner or administrator in the field.
  3. The candidate must have contributed to the profession in some of the following ways: speeches, demonstrations, presentations, publications, committee service, or serving as an officer in a professional association.

• Physical Education Teacher of the Year (TOY) AWARD

  A Physical Educator is defined for the purposes of these awards as an individual who has major responsibility for teaching Physical Education in grades K-12 for a specific school system. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the eligibility requirements and award criteria:

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Any Physical Educator who meets the eligibility requirements and exemplifies the criteria may apply, or be nominated by a colleague, principal/superintendent, MAHPERD Board member, department leader or director.
  2. The candidate must have a total of (10) years teaching experience in Physical Education. Candidates must have a minimum of (5) years at the grade level of nomination (coupled with experience at another level).
  3. If the candidate is not currently a MAHPERD member, they are encouraged to become a member and continue the nomination process.
  4. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and certification in Physical Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Physical Education.
  5. The candidate may have responsibility for teaching grades which cross different levels, but applications should be submitted for the level which represents 50% or more of their Physical Education teaching assignment.

   
  
  Award Criteria:

  1. The candidate conducts a balanced and sequential curriculum that reflects an understanding of child growth and development.
  2. The candidate utilizes various teaching methodologies and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
  3. The candidate serves as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
  4. The candidate participates in professional development opportunities.
  5. The candidate serves on state/regional/national committees and/or other like-minded organizations.
  6. The candidate has presented workshops at the school or state level.

  **State Teachers of the Year are encouraged to apply for a national award on their own.

• Health Teacher of the Year

  A Health Teacher defined for the purposes of this award is an individual who currently has major responsibility for teaching Health Education in grades K-12 for a specific school system. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the eligibility requirements and award criteria:

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Any Physical Educator who meets the eligibility requirements and exemplifies the criteria may apply, or be nominated by a colleague, principal/superintendent, MAHPERD Board member, department leader or director.
  2. The candidate must have a minimum of 10 years teaching experience in Health Education.
  3. If the candidate is not currently a MAHPERD member, they are encouraged to become a member and continue the nomination process.
  4. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and licensure in Health Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Health Education.

  Award Criteria:

  1. Serves as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy decision making, effective relationship skills and self-management.
  2. The candidate utilizes various teaching methodologies (i.e. skills-based health) and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
  3. Participates in professional development opportunities.
  4. Provides volunteer service at the school or community levels.
  5. Provides service on state/regional/national committees and/or presents at workshops or programs at these sites.
  6. Demonstrates leadership in developing and implementing or directing/coordinating effective health education/promotion programs.

  **State Teachers of the Year are encouraged to apply for a national award on their own.

• Amelia Riou Award ~ Adapted Physical Educator of the Year

  The purpose of the Amelia Riou Award is to publicly recognize a member who has made outstanding valuable contributions in the area of Adapted Physical Education.

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The candidate must have a minimum of 10 years teaching experience in Adapted Physical Education.
  2. If the candidate is not currently a MAHPERD member, they are encouraged to become a member and continue the nomination process.
  3. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and certification in Physical Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Adapted Physical Education

  Award Criteria:
  To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:

  1. The candidate conducts a balanced and sequential curriculum that reflects an understanding of child growth and development.
  2. The candidate utilizes various teaching methodologies and plan innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
  3. The candidate serves as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
  4. The candidate participates in professional development opportunities.
  5. The candidate serves on state/regional/national committees and/or other like-minded organizations.
  6. The candidate has presented workshops at the school or state level.

  *** Adapted Physical Educator State Teachers of the Year are encouraged to apply for a national award on their own. (In order to be eligible for the National APE award you need to be a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) or eligible to sit for the Certified Adapted Physical Educator exam (eligibility= 200 hrs. of practicum experience, at least 12-credit hours in APE) is desirable.

• Inspirational Pathfinder Award

  The Inspirational Pathfinder Award is given to an individual who is a mentor, teacher, or coach dedicated to the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The candidate must be currently active in the field of Athletics.
  2. The candidate must have a minimum of 10 years in the Athletics profession.

  Criteria:

  1. The candidate must exemplify respect, dignity, responsible behavior and leadership through programming in a manner that promotes social justice and change.
  2. The candidate must have made significant contributions in the athletics field as an active positive role model and empowering athletes to reach for their dreams.

• Inspirational Dance Award

  “Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.” -The author of this quote is unknown but truly makes an impact with these words. The Inspirational Dance Award is given to a person who embodies honor, dignity, integrity and exemplary contributions in the field of dance.

  Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The candidate must be currently teaching in the field of dance.
  2. The candidate must have minimum of 10 years in the dance profession.

  To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria: 

  1. The candidate must be an individual who teaches creativity using various methodologies to inspire students to embrace the passion of dance as a lifelong physical activity.
  2. The candidate must be one who has performed an outstanding service to dance education as either an instructor, mentor or advocate within the dance realm.

MAHPERD Award Nomination Form