Awards Nomination Criteria
Nominate a colleague for a MAHPERD Award!
Who has inspired you as a mentor?
Who in our field deserves to be recognized for their brilliant efforts,
time, and involvement with students?
Take a minute to nominate a colleague or two for one of our prestigious MAHPERD Awards!
All nominations must be submitted online. The deadline for nominations is Monday, November 23, 2026
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. Only one such award can be presented annually. To be considered for this prestigious award, nominees must meet the following criteria:Criteria:
1. The candidate must have demonstrated exemplary service, leadership, and contributions to the profession, MAHPERD and the youth of the state.
2. The candidate should reflect the spirit of devoted service to the profession and creative leadership in the field.
3. The candidate must have held membership with MAHPERD for at least 25 years.
4. The candidate must done eminence work at the state, district, and national levels.
5. The candidate must have served as a MAHPERD Executive Board member or have volunteered service to the MAHPERD Organization.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 following criteria: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 have held membership with MAHPERD for at least 10 years.
3. The candidate must demonstrate outstanding ability as a teacher, practitioner or administrator in the field.
5. The candidate must have contributed to the profession in some of the following ways: speeches, demonstrations, presentations at the School district, state, district, or national levels, publications, committee service, or serving as an officer in a professional association
6. The candidate must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in their current specialized field.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 following criteria:Award Criteria:
1 . The candidate must have a minimum of a 10 years teaching experience in Physical Education.
2. The candidate must conduct a balanced and sequential curriculum that reflects an understanding of child growth and development.
3. The candidate must utilize various teaching methodologies and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
4. The candidate must serve as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
5. The candidate must participate in professional development opportunities.
6. The candidate must serve on state/district/national committees and/or presents at workshops or programs at these sites.
7. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and certification and/or license in Physical Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Physical Education.Health Teacher of the Year
The purpose of the Health Award is to publicly recognize an outstanding Hands-on practitioner who has made valuable contributions in the area of Health. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:Award Criteria:
1 . The candidate must have a minimum of a 10 years teaching experience in Health Education.
2. The candidate must conduct a balanced and sequential curriculum that reflects an understanding of child growth and development.
3. The candidate must utilize various teaching methodologies and plan innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
4. The candidate must serve as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
5. The candidate must participate in professional development opportunities.
6. The candidate must serve on state/district/national committees and/or present at workshops or programs at these sites.
7. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and certification and/or license in Health Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Health Education.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. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:Award Criteria:
1 . The candidate must have a minimum of a 10 years teaching experience in Adapted Physical Education.
2. The candidate must conduct a balanced and sequential curriculum that reflects an understanding of child growth and development.
3. The candidate must utilize various teaching methodologies and plan innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all.
4. The candidate must serve as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students.
5. The candidate must participate in professional development opportunities.
6. The candidate must serve on state/district/national committees and/or present at workshops or programs at these sites.
7. The candidate must have a full-time teaching contract and certification and /or license in Physical Education with a minimum of 50% of total teaching responsibility in teaching Adapted Physical Education.Inspirational Pathfinder Award
The Pathfinder Awards is given to a person who has made outstanding contributions and shown great commitment in the field of Athletics. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:Criteria:
1. The candidate must be currently contributing in the field of Athletics.
2. The candidate must have a minimum of 10 years in the Athletics profession.
3. The candidate must have contributed to the profession through one or more of the following ways: publications, speeches, demonstrations, appearance on professional programs, committee service, serving as an officer of a professional Association.Inspirational Dance Award
The purpose of the Inspirational Dance Award is to publicly recognize a member who has made valuable contributions in the area of Dance. To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following criteria:Award Criteria:
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.
3. The candidate must have contributed to the profession through one or more of the following ways: publications, speeches, demonstrations, appearance on professional programs, committee service, serving as an officer of a professional association.