WCPSS Educators Receive Top Honors at NCAAHPERD
November 26, 2007 – Wake County Public School educators earned top honors at the annual meeting of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NCAAHPERD) held in Greensboro. Award winners Thurman Leach, Trey Robinson, Vann Taylor and Katie Caggia (back row), Jay Miller, Ben Stern and Beverly Dudley (Front row) |
 Award winners Tommy Parker, Ben Stern, Thurman Leach, Katie Caggia, Melissa Burns, Jay Miller, Gina Miller, Tonya Wicker and Ann Hulslander Dishong. |
“This year our educators were honored for an array of accomplishments. It was absolutely thrilling to watch their classroom innovation and diligence transcend into state recognition! These deserving individuals are truly the best in the state and represent a caliber distinctive of Wake County Public Schools,” said Ann Hulslander Dishong – Senior Administrator for K-12 Healthful Living.
WCPSS teachers earn PE Teacher of the Year honors at the elmentary and high school level. Timber Drive Elementary was honored for its PE program.
WCPSS teachers honored included:
Katie Caggia, Olive Chapel ES - NCAAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Thurman Leach, Garner HS- NCAAHPERD High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Vann Taylor and Trey Robinson, Timber Drive ES -Outstanding Physical Education Program
Ben Stern, Central Services - NCAAHPERD Edgar Hooks Jr. Young Professional Award
Jay Miller, Brier Creek ES- Amy Carroll & Sherry Little Scholarship winner
Beverly Dudley, Reedy Creek MS - PEA Grant winner
Schools hold a number of events to encourage active students, especially in February during Heart Awareness month. At the conference schools were recognized for their participation in joint projects with the American Heart Association.
WCPSS had three schools named in the Heart Associaton's Top 20 Schools including:
#13 - Dan Nichols, Highcroft ES
#14- Becky Norkus – Baileywick ES
#17- Gigi Sammons - Oak Grove ES
Karen Elliott, Forest Pines ES - Biggest Percentage Increase for Jump Rope for Heart (253% increase from previous year)
Wake County Public School System - AHA/NCAAHPERD's Top Fund Raising School System in Mid Atlantic for Joint Projects (2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007)'
Three WCPSS teachers representing two different schools presented at the conference.
Molly Dibble, Fuquay-Varina MS - Presenter – “How to Start a Dribbling Demonstration Team”
Marti Capaforte & Jennie Jones, Lufkin Road MS - Presenters – “Expanding Physical Education Choices for Teens – Project ExPECT”
And WCPSS educators are well represented on the NCAAHPERD Executive Board which includes
Tonya Wicker, Vance ES – President, Physical Education Association (PEA)
Ben Stern, Central Services - Vice-President, PEA
Gina Miller, Middle Creek ES – Secretary, PEA
Tommy Parker, Panther Creek HS – Outgoing President of Athletics Association (NCAAE)
-wcpss-