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SHAPE PA recognizes the work of outstanding educators in Pennsylvania. The current program honors teachers at four levels: elementary, middle school, high school, and university. 

Award winners at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels will be eligible and (along with further information and documentation) become Pennsylvania’s nominees to be considered for TOY at the Eastern District level and the SHAPE America (national) level.

Award Criteria

Click on the award icon below to learn about each award's eligibility and criteria. 

     
     


K-12 Physical Education Teacher of the Year

Given in four categories – Elementary, Middle School, High School, and University.

Levels

While teachers may have responsibility for teaching grades that cross the different levels, applications can be submitted for one level only. Teachers should apply for the level that represents 50% or more of their physical education teaching assignment.

  • Elementary - Kindergarten through Sixth Grade
  • Middle School - Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
  • High School - Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
  • University – Post Secondary with primary responsibility in Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Education

Prerequisites:

  1. Current membership in PSAHPERD
  2. Degree in health education and physical education 
  3. Minimum of five years of teaching experience
  4. Full-time teaching contract, current at the time of nomination and selection
  5. Minimum 50% of total teaching responsibility is physical education

Criteria:

  1. Conducts a comprehensive and diverse physical education (health or adapted) program that utilizes Essential Components and Physical Literacy (or Health Literacy) as reflected in SHAPE America Standards and Guidelines for K-12 physical education programs.
  2. Utilizes various teaching methodologies and appropriate instructional practices. 
  3. Plans and implements innovative and diverse experiences to meet the needs of all students. 
  4. Describes the utilization of Student Assessment, one of the essential components of physical education. 
  5. Advocates for the profession participate in professional development opportunities (such as, but not limited to: service through leadership, presentations, and/or writing)

University Physical Education Teacher of the Year:

Award Prerequisites:

  1. Current membership in PSAHPERD
  2. 10 years of teaching experience at the College or University level
  3. Degree in PETE, HETE or Exercise Science 

Criteria:

  1. Excellence in Teaching:
    1. Designs course syllabi and objectives in alignment with the SHAPE America Beginning Teacher Standards in PETE and/or HETE; or nation Exercise Science standards.
    2. Demonstrates the implementation of best practices including but not limited to:
    3. Designs authentic learning experiences
    4. Uses meaningful field or lab work
    5. Uses multiple forms of assessment
    6. Integrates technology with their teaching
    7. Designs assignments that actively engage students in critical thinking
    8. Designs assignments that promote collaboration
  2. Excellence of Scholarship:
    1. Has published in refereed and non-refereed journals.
    2. Has presented at university, state, district, national and international levels.
    3. Has authored, co-authored or contributed to a professional textbook.
    4. Excellence in Service:
    5. Serves on department, college or university-wide committees.
    6. Serves on professional association committees.
    7. Holds an office at the state, district or national level in affiliated professional organizations. 
    8. Contributes to the community.

 

K-12 Health Educator of the Year

Given in two categories – K-12 & University: Honors health educators who have made significant contributions to the profession.

K-12 Prerequisites: 

  1. Current membership in SHAPE PA
  2. Degree in health education and physical education 
  3. Minimum of five years teaching experience
  4. Full-time teaching contract, current at the time of nomination and selection
  5. Minimum 50% of total teaching responsibility in health education

Criteria:

  1. Conducts a comprehensive and diverse health education program that utilizes the Essential Components of Health Education as reflected in the National Health Education Standards and other best practices.
  2. Describes the utilization of student assessment, one of the Essential Components of Health Education. 
  3. Provides volunteer service at the school or community levels. 
  4. Provides service to local, state or national professional associations/organizations. 
  5. Shows evidence of meritorious professional activity in at least three (3) of the following: innovative teaching, publications, presentations, funded research or programs, special projects, or other health-related activities.

University Health Educator of the Year

Prerequisites:

  1. Current membership in PSAHPERD
  2. 10 years of teaching experience at the College or University level
  3. Degree in PETE, HETE or Exercise Science

 Criteria:

  1. Excellence in Teaching:
    1. Designs course syllabi and objectives in alignment with the SHAPE America Beginning Teacher Standards in PETE and/or HETE; or nation Exercise Science standards.
  2. Demonstrates the implementation of best practices including but not limited to
    1. Designs authentic learning experiences
    2. Uses meaningful field or lab work
    3. Uses multiple forms of assessment
    4. Integrates technology with their teaching
    5. Designs assignments that actively engage students in critical thinking
    6. Designs assignments that promote collaboration
  3. Excellence of Scholarship:
    1. Has published in refereed and non-refereed journals.
    2. Has presented at university, state, district, national and international levels.
    3. Has authored, co-authored or contributed to a professional textbook.
  4. Excellence in Service:
    1. Serves on department, college or university wide committees.
    2. Serves on professional association committees.
    3. Holds an office at the state, district or national level in affiliated professional organizations. 
    4. Contributes to the community.
 

Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year

Prerequisites:

  1. Current membership in PSAHPERD
  2. Degree in health education and physical education 
  3. Minimum of five years teaching experience
  4. Full-time teaching contract, current at the time of nomination and selection
  5. Minimum 50% of total teaching responsibility is in adapted physical education 

Criteria: 

  1. Models the comprehensive roles and responsibilities necessary to implement adapted physical education services that align with the Essential Components for Physical Education as reflected in the SHAPE America National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education as it best meets individualize needs indicated in the Individualized Education Program and 504 plans.
  2. Purposely plans and successfully implements universal design for learning principles into daily lessons by differentiating instruction based on the diverse abilities of every student in each physical education class. 
  3. Participates in a leadership/collaborative role that fosters an active healthy lifestyle beyond the physical education classroom (such as, but not limited to coaching, volunteering, developing programs and special events, and/or collaborating with families). 
  4. Administers multi-confirming assessments and utilizes the data to develop and implement student Individualized Education Programs and 504 plans to guide instructional planning and decisions. 
  5. Advocates for the profession, participates in professional development opportunities (such as, but not limited to: service through leadership, presentations, and/or writing).

Note: in order for the award recipient to move onto Eastern District they would require eligibility to sit for the C.A.P.E or currently have C.A.P.E

K-12 Dance Educator of the Year

Prerequisites:

  1. Current membership in PSAHPERD
  2. Degree in health education and physical education 
  3. Evidence of infusing dance education in the physical education curriculum for a minimum of five years.
  4. Full-time teaching contract, current at the time of nomination and selection
  5. Minimum 50% of total teaching responsibility is in dance education

Criteria:

  1. Teaches creatively and utilizes various methodologies.
  2. Presents a balanced and sequential curriculum based on the developmental, social and psychological needs of the students.
  3. Emphasizes the significance of dance as an integral cultural component that enables students to understand their own cultural heritage as well as that of others.
  4. Promotes an understanding of dance as a creative art either by providing students with opportunities to share their creative work with appropriate audiences or through the discussion of aesthetics of students' own works or others. 
  5. Shows professional commitment through membership and active participation in local, state, regional, and/or national dance organizations.