Awards & Recognition
2023-2024 Awards
The CAHPERD Awards program is designed to recognize members for outstanding and noteworthy achievements, contributions and/or service to the organization and/or the profession. Award recipients must be current members of CAHPERD, unless the award criterion stipulates otherwise.
All Award Applications are Due October 1, 2023
Criteria and Award Information
To apply you may be asked to log into a google account in order to upload the nominee's picture.
Verne Landreth Award Material - Nominees are clearly outstanding in their profession, exemplifying the highest achievement in service, research, teaching, or administration. This is the highest and most prestigious award offered by CAHPERD. Past Verne Landreth Award Recipients
Keith Johannes Honor Award Material - Candidates exemplify the spirit of devoted service and, by their leadership and industry, have made outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the advancement of the profession. Past Honor Award Recipients
Phyllis A. Blatz Exemplary Leadership Award Material – Honors individuals who have provided unique and distinguished leadership to CAHPERD over a minimum of fifteen (15) years in any or all levels of jurisdiction, or within other aspects or projects of the Association. Past Phyllis A. Blatz Award Recipients
Kathy Lynch Advocacy Grant Material - This award will be presented to an individual who is interested in advocating for the importance of health, physical education, recreation, dance and other movement-related activities as they contribute to human well-being and growth and development of individuals at the local, state and national level by participating in Speak Out Day and following up with two local or State advocacy projects. Presentation of the award will be made at the CAHPERD Conference by the Chair of the Legislative Committee, or a person appointed by the Chair.
Council Awards
Adapted Physical Education - Nick Breit Professional Recognition – Candidates shall be individuals who have made significant contributions in, or to, the field of Adapted Physical Education.
Clark Hetherington Honor Award - Recognizes individuals for outstanding leadership and significant contributions to their school system and/or community. Candidates shall have served in administrative positions in school, college, or community programs for a period of at least five (5) years prior to nomination.
Emmett Ashford Community Spirit Award - Candidates demonstrate the characteristics of Emmett Ashford’s legacy. (See nomination form for detailed description.) The nominee should be someone from the community in which the Annual CAHPERD Conference is held for the nominating year (2024 - Garden Grove, CA).
Award for Distinguished Service to Recreation – Recognizes a member or friend of CAHPERD who has demonstrated outstanding service to the recreation profession.
Professional Dance Educator of the Year – Recognizes a college or university professor who has a major responsibility for teaching all dance forms, (except aerobic dance).
Program of the Year Award - The Outstanding Middle School and Secondary School Physical Education Program of the Year (POY) Award recognizes physical education programs of excellence through a process of self-assessment by the school physical education staff.
Teacher of the Year Awards
Teacher of the Year Application
CAHPERD has partnered with the SHAPE America Partner Network who are sponsoring CAHPERD's Teacher of the Year Program. Complete the application through the SHAPE America Link. This will help awardees in the process when moving to SHAPE America's District and National award review. Select the State Application Button near the bottom of the application webpage.
- Verification of Teaching Assignment Form
- This document must be from the current school year when applying. This may require individuals to get a new Verification of Teaching form signed by their principal or administrator.
CAHPERD Teacher of the Year Guidelines
*Send headshot and brief bio that may not be required in the application link to CAHPERD for promotion only [email protected]
Award criteria
- When completing the award criteria please use the following format:
- Do not include any identifying information (your name, school name or on school/district letter head).
- Bold the specific criteria as a heading, then outline your qualifications in paragraph form below the bolded criteria heading (see example below). Criteria should be two-pages or less in length, single spaced, typed in size 11 Calibri font.
- Responses to each criterion should be in one Word document. Please do NOT upload each criteria response in a separate Word document.
- Example format for Award Criteria:
- 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.
Begin to write your response to criteria prompt 1 in unbold font underneath.
School Health Education Teacher of the Year - The selection of the recipient(s) is based on professional preparation and experience, recognitions, professional organizations, significant contributions, and overall impact on health education or school health programs.
Physical Education Teacher of the Year - Recognizes outstanding physical education teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year - Recognizes outstanding physical educators teaching adapted physical education to individuals with disabilities in programs for ages birth to adult.
K-12 Dance Teacher of the Year – Recognizes educators who teach all dance forms (except aerobic dance) within grades K-12 in a school system.