Awards 

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Each year the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance honors dedicated professionals. These individuals are recognized for their leadership, quality teaching, innovative programming, and personal achievement. 

If you would like to nominate a teacher, please fill out the award form and email to us.

FlagHouse is proud to sponsor NJAHPERD and join together to honor excellence in health, physical education, recreation, and dance in the state of New Jersey

FlagHouse is especially honored to partner with NJAHPERD in the fight against obesity in the Coordinated Approach to Child Health, we are proud to have received the endorsement of NJAHPERD, and look forward to sharing what research and practice have proven…that CATCH works!

Call FlagHouse today (1-800-793-7900) or visit www.flaghouse.com or www.catch-works.com to learn more!

The following chart presents a brief description of the ten annual awards presented to NJAHPERD members of outstanding achievement.  Past recipients of the respective awards is also available. 

 

Excellence in Recreation Programming and Leadership Award	Dance Education Award	Distinguished Leadership Award	Everett L. Hebel Award
Honor Award	Lilyan B. Wright--Student of the Year Award	Outstanding Teaching Award	Professional Achievement Award
Sal Abitanta Exemplary High School PE Award		Thomas Vodola Adapted Physical Education Award
Student Healthy Lifestyle Award		NJAHPERD Mary Jo Young Health Teacher of the Year Award

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Excellence in Recreation Programming and Leadership Award

This award is recognized outstanding achievements and/or accomplishments in recreation programming or leadership relating to the advancement of health, wellness, fitness, or sports in schools or the community. 
Criteria:

• Awards can be submitted in any of the following categories: a) health, fitness or wellness programs; b) therapeutic and special populations programs; c) special events, community impact and educational programs; and d) recreation leadership.
• Individuals making a nomination must be either an active member of NJAHPERD or NJRPA.
• Uniqueness
• Range of appeal
• Potential impact
• Meeting of high standards
• Outstanding leadership
• Creativity
• Advancement of field
• Design of a recreation facility

History of Excellence in Recreation Programming and Leadership Award          

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Dance Education Award

This award is presented to a teacher of dance who contributes to the growth of dance in New Jersey. 
Criteria:

• Is presently or has been a teacher of dance in public or private school, college or university (excluding  private studio).

• Promotes dance as a part of the curriculum as a performing art.

• Contributes to the growth of dance in the State of New Jersey.

• Conducts workshops, lectures and /or demonstration as a means to further educate teachers and students.

History of Dance Education Award 

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Distinguished Leadership Award

This award is presented to a professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of health, physical education, recreation, and dance. 
Criteria:

• Ten (10) or more years of teaching experience, five (5) of which must be consecutive and completed prior to being recommended for the award.

• A member of NJAHPERD for a minimum of ten (10) years OR an individual who is not eligible for

• NJAHPERD membership but has made significant contributions to our discipline.

History of Distinguished Leadership Award 

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Everett L. Hebel Award

This award is presented in honor of Dr. Everett. Hebel, 43 years an educator of health and physical education.  He was a former President of NJAHPERD, as well as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. 
Critera

• NJAHPERD membership for a minimum of ten (10) years.

• Taught in discipline (health, physical education, recreation, or dance) for a minimum of five (5) years.

• Administrator of health, physical education, recreation, dance, or athletic school programs.

• Coaching and officiating (co-curricular, middle school, secondary or college levels) for a minimum of five  (5) years.

History of Everett L. Hebel Award 

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Honor Award

This is the highest award presented by NJAHPERD.  It is awarded to an individual who has made continued and significant contributions to the profession. 
Criteria:

• Served professionally in school, college or community programs for a period of at least ten (10) years prior to recommendation.
• Possess a Master’s degree (can be waived by a unanimous vote of the Honor’s Award Committee).
• Present evidence of successful experience in any five or more of the categories listed below. 
  • Discipline refers to health, physical education, safety, recreation, dance, and /or athletics. 
  • Elected officer in AAHPERD, EDA, or NJAHPERD. 
  • Chairperson of a selected of the national, district or state association. 
  • Elected officer of other professional organizations.
  • College department head or director; public school supervisor; coordinator; consultant of health, physical education or recreation; city director; or athletic director. 
  • Speaker before educational societies, conventions, assemblies, luncheon meetings or radio/television presentation on topics related to our discipline in the past ten (10) years. Titles, places, dates and approximate size of audience are to be included. 
• Submitted written articles concerning health, safety, physical education, recreation or dance for magazines courses of study, handbooks, manuals, etc. Name of publication and date of printing are to be included. 
• Contributed to convention programs, workshops, panel discussions or service as discussion leaders, etc., identify location, dates, and topic.
• Initiated, designed, and completed new programs, projects, or research relating to our discipline, include details. 
• Authored or co-authored of one or more books in an area of our discipline, give date of publication. 

History of Honor Award 

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Lilyan B. Wright--Student of the Year Award

This award honors a college student who has served his/her college and professional organization and shown excellence in academics. 
Criteria:

• Has attended two (2) or more conferences, workshops, clinics, or student division meetings.
• Has completed 60 or more semester hours.
• Has an overall cumulative average of 2.8 or higher and a cumulative major average of 3.0 or higher.

History of Lilyan B. Wright -- Student of the Year Award 

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Outstanding Teacher Award

This award is presented to members of NJAHPERD with five (5) or more years of teaching experience in health, physical education, recreation, and dance. 
Criteria:

• Demonstrates creative and/or innovative teaching techniques in health, physical education, recreation and dance programs.

• Is instrumental in developing and establishing an outstanding health, physical education, recreation, and dance program.

• Identifies excellence in teaching health, physical education, recreation, and dance.

History of Outstanding Teacher Award 

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Professional Achievement Award

This award is presented to an individual with 25 years of successful teaching, administration, or professional service in health, physical education, or dance. 
Criteria:

• Twenty-five (25) years of successful teaching, administration, or professional service in any of the following areas:  health, physical education, recreation, or dance.

• Five (5) years of continuous membership, including the year of the granting of this award.

History of Professional Achievement Award 

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Sal Abitanta Exemplary High School PE Award

Recognizes outstanding high school physical education programs, which meet the highest standards of professional programming and provide a model that can be duplicated by other school districts throughout New Jersey.
Criteria:

High School Physical Education Program must demonstrate: 

• Professional Curriculum
• Highest professional planning 
• High degree of student participation satisfaction 
• Enhanced involvement in the cognitive, affective and physical aspects of Physical Education 
• Fifty percent of the Physical Education teachers must be member of NJAHPERD before the application is submitted 
• School has a policy of non-exemption of athletes from Physical Education class. 

History of Sal Abitanta Exemplary High School PE Award 

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Thomas Vodola Adapted Physical Education Award

This award is presented in honor of Dr.Thomas Vodola, a long time advocate of adapted physical education in New Jersey and throughout the country.
Criteria:

• Shown outstanding leadership in the field of adapted physical education.
• Has a pragmatic approach to planning and implementing physical education program for the handicapped. 
• Used innovative techniques in the field of adapted physical education. 
• Used a variety of public relations strategies to spread the message of adapted physical education. 
• Sought professional improvement through continuing education. 
• Worked toward raising awareness of the entire community to the values of proper physical education programming for the handicapped.

History of Thomas Vodola Adapted Physical Education Award 

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Student Healthy Lifestyle Award

Criteria: The NJAHPERD Student Healthy Lifestyle Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a student in grades 8-12 in physical education who has a personal commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle and who can serve as a role model for other students. This award recognizes a student who is committed to improving his/her personal health and the health of the school and community.

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Mary Jo Young Health Teacher of the Year Award

Criteria: This award is presented to a health educator(s) who has made substantial contributions to the association and/or the profession for five (5) years or more.
This award honors the memory of Mary Jo Young who was a health and physical education teacher in the Bordentown School District. Known to her students and colleagues as an exemplary teacher and role model, she had received the Teacher of the Year Award from the MacFarland Junior School in Bordentown as well as the NJAHPERD Middle School Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2001. Her courage and passion to carry on through her illness was just a small example of Mary Jo’s dedication to her profession.

Qualifications of Candidates:

• Evidence of being an outstanding health educator in the classroom K-12.

•         Submission of a video taped lesson.
          2 Letters of Recommendations
  A minimum of five (5) years in the profession.

• NJAHPERD member (optional).
  Service and leadership to the profession
          Writings
          Research
          Special projects
          Grants
          Presentations
          Health-related community activities

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