Awards

The Advocacy Award is given in recognition of significant contributions made to the advancement of the profession through the fields of health, physical education, or related fields. Such contributions may be in the form of legislative support, professional service, or specific participation in local, state, district, or national program development. The recipient may be an individual, or group or an organization, and need not be a member of WHPE.

• See the scoring rubric

This award is given to a dance teacher who has major (minimum of 50% of total job) responsibility for teaching dance and is employed full-time. WHPE candidates must be members and have a minimum of 5 years membership and 5 years experience. Additional criteria include: Teaches creatively and utilizes various methodologies, presents a balanced and sequential curriculum based on the developmental, social and psychological needs of students, emphasizes the significance of dance as an integral cultural component that enables students to understand their own heritage as well as that of others, 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 discussion of aesthetics of students’ own work or others, shows professional commitment through membership and active participation in local, state, regional, and /or national dance organizations. SHAPE America membership is required if the State winner wishes to have his/her application advanced to the Midwest District selection process. Three letters of recommendation are required, as are answers to specific questions to accompany the nomination.

• See the scoring rubric
• Award Application Essay Criteria Recommendations and Helpful Hints

This award is given in recognition to an individual who has major (minimum of 50% of total job) responsibilities for health education in public or private school, grades K-12, an institution of higher education, a community health program, government health agency, or worksite wellness/health program. WHPE membership is required with at least 5 yrs. of membership and 5 years of experience in the field of Health Education and the individual must be employed full-time. Additional criteria include: conducts a comprehensive and diverse health education program that utilizes the Essential Components of Health Education as reflected in the National Health Standards and other SHAPE America best practices, describe your utilization of student assessment, one of the Essential Components of Health Education, provides volunteer service at the school or community levels, provides service to local, state, or national professional associations, 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. SHAPE America membership is required if the State winner wishes to have his/her application advanced to the Midwest District selection process. Three letters of recommendation are required, as are answers to specific questions to accompany the nomination.

• See the scoring rubric
• Award Application Essay Criteria Recommendations and Helpful Hints

This award recognizes one outstanding student (FP) from WHPE.  The recipient must be a current member with at least one year of previous membership.  The individual must be on track toward a degree in Health, Physical Education or Adapted Physical Education and have junior or senior standing. Nominees must:

• have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher based upon a 4.0 scale
• submit 3 – 5 examples of providing service in PK – 12 schools or the greater community
• include a resume illustrating special certifications, awards  and accomplishments within the HPE field
• enclose responses to award questions no longer in length than 1 page for each question
• submit one letter of recommendation addressing the award criteria

See the scoring rubric

This award is granted as an award for outstanding service to the profession and WHPE.  One so honored must be retired and should have held membership in the Association for a minimum of 20 years.  Association Past Presidents, who for whatever reason (coming from another state, career change/ late entry into teaching or other related profession, etc.) will be eligible for this award immediately upon retirement and their candidacy will be at the determination of the Awards Committee and the Executive Committee.  Outstanding service is interpreted as offices held, committee work, a long history of attendance at  meetings/conventions, development of innovative programs, excellence in teaching, research, publications, participation in State, District and /or National initiatives, and representation of WHPE in District and National projects. The recipient has all rights, privileges and services belonging to members, and will be admitted to the annual Convention at no fee.  Members cannot receive both Retirement Recognition and the Lifetime Achievement Award (Lifetime shall be considered the higher of the two and should be thusly bestowed).

• See the scoring rubric

WHPE recognizes members who have had 10/20/30/40/50 years of continuous membership as determined by WHPE Office records.

This award is given to the outgoing Past President of WHPE in recognition of completing his/her term of leadership as President-elect, President, and Past President. It recognizes continuous leadership and service at the highest office of the Association as demonstrated by growth within the profession. The WHPE President recommends the individual to the Executive Committee and no documentation is necessary nor action taken by Awards Committee. This award will be presented during the general assembly.

This award is given to a WHPE member who has been a practicing professional eight (8) years or less (PK-12 teaching or related fields/ including any teaching during graduate school experiences, or other professionally related work experiences post baccalaureate).  The individual must show: A. active involvement in WHPE, B. leadership related to the goals of the Assn., C. service related to WHPE Mission; D. personal achievements to date.  The application must be accompanied by one (1) collegial letter of support that addresses the above criteria.

• See the scoring rubric

This award is given as a commendation for continuous and extended service to the Association and those professions aligned with it. The recipient must have held a minimum of 10 years of membership in WHPE. Service is interpreted as organizational activities, publications, research, excellence in teaching, innovative practices, and /or administrative and advocacy activities that enhance the image and reputation of WHPE among the public.

• See the scoring rubric

Recognition will be given to WHPE member retirees at the time of their retirement. It commemorates long and faithful service to both WHPE and to the institutions at which they have taught. It is suggested that individuals have a minimum of 20 years teaching and membership to be eligible for this recognition. Membership need not have been continuous but it should be long standing with evidence of service. Individual members should notify the WHPE Office when they retire. Retirees will be recognized at the WHPE General Assembly.

This award is to be determined solely by the WHPE President in recognition for service and assistance rendered to them during their term as President. It is recommended that the President limits the number of service awards to 6 during their presidency. Additional service awards must be approved by the Executive Committee.

This award is given to recognize the outstanding leadership by a Future Professional who has been actively involved with WHPE for 2 years (presenter, worker, and officer). Unless otherwise specified by the WHPE President in consultation with the Future Professional Advisor, it is given to the retiring VP of the Future Professional Division.This award will be presented during the general assembly.

This award recognizes outstanding teaching in physical education (1ea. at all levels). It is awarded to an individual who has major (minimum of 50% of total job) responsibilities for teaching PE. WHPE candidates must teach full-time, be an Association member and have a minimum of 5yrs. membership with 5yrs. of experience. Additional criteria include: Conducts a comprehensive and diverse physical education program that utilizes the Essential Components of Physical Education as reflected in the SHAPE America National Standards and Grade –Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education and other best practices, utilizes various teaching methodologies and appropriate instructional practices, plans and implements innovative and diverse experiences to meet the needs of all students, describe your utilization of student assessment, one of the Essential Components of Physical Education, advocates for the profession, participates in professional development opportunities (such as, but not limited to: service through leadership, presentations, and / or writing). SHAPE America membership is required if the State winner wishes to have his/her application advanced to the Midwest District selection process. Three letters of recommendation are required, as are answers to specific questions to accompany the nomination. Only the (E-MS-HS) recipients are eligible to advance to Midwest selection.

• See the scoring rubric
• Award Application Essay Criteria Recommendations and Helpful Hints

This award recognizes an individual who exhibits outstanding teaching in programs designed for persons of disabilities (APE) ages birth to adult. One so recognized must teach full- time, be a WHPE member and have a minimum of 5 years membership and 5 years experience and teach APE at least 50% of total job responsibilities. Additional criteria include: Models the comprehensive roles and responsibilities necessary to implement adapted physical education services that align to the Essential Components of Physical Education as reflected in the SHAPE America National Standards and Grade – Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education as it best meets individual needs indicated in the Individualized Education Program and 504 plans, 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, 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), 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, advocates for the profession, participates in professional development opportunities (such as, but not limited to: service through leadership, presentations, and / or writing). SHAPE America membership is required if the State winner wishes to have his/her application advanced to the Midwest District selection process. Three letters of recommendation are required, as are answers to specific questions to accompany the nomination.

• See the scoring rubric
• Award Application Essay Criteria Recommendations and Helpful Hints

This award is presented to the outgoing executive committee, board of directors, committee and liaison members by the WHPE President recognition of service throughout the year. Likewise, Board of Directors and Executive Committee members should receive a Board Pin at the President’s determination.

This award is given an individual who demonstrate leadership in health or physical education at the national, regional, and/or state level. This individual will have:

• Demonstrated service to the profession through publications, presentations, workshops, in-services, etc.
• Demonstrate advocacy for quality education.
• Demonstrate significant contributions to curriculum development, technology, innovation, staff development, program improvement, or resource development in physical education.

See the scoring rubric