Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SHAPE America Announces Sponsorship for State Teacher of the Year Programs Nationwide
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, September 19, 2024 — SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators announced today that 17 of its state affiliate organizations have signed on to participate in the SHAPE America Teacher of the Year State Partner Program, which provides support and resources to state affiliates as well as benefits for health and physical educators who have been named a state Teacher of the Year.
“Thanks to the generous support of the SHAPE America Partner Network, which includes SPARK, Wellness Training Specialists, GOPHER, and Goodheart-Willcox Publisher, we are excited to offer valuable benefits to so many state Teachers of the Year,” said SHAPE America President Cara Grant. “And this year we’re even more excited to make this a nonexclusive arrangement for any state affiliate and their Teachers of the Year. We, along with our amazing partners, believe firmly that the more we can do to lift up and support Teachers of the Year, the better.”
SHAPE America is committed to supporting all of its state affiliates — and provides them all with free tools and resources to enhance their state Teacher of the Year awards program. However, those affiliates that have signed on to this partner program also receive an annual financial contribution and special rewards for state Teacher of the Year award recipients at no cost to the affiliate organization.
“We started this program to help state affiliates celebrate and their state Teachers of the Year, and we’re proud to see it grow over time,” said Jonathan Faloon, brand director, Gopher Sport. “We also believe that all boats rise when we are focusing on uplifting teachers, students, and the physical education profession as a whole, so that’s why we wanted to make it an open, non-exclusive arrangement. We welcome the opportunity to work with any and all SHAPE America state affiliates who share our goal to celebrate these incredible teachers.”
Each participating state affiliate will receive a $750 payment to use as they see fit, as well as a complimentary student registration for the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Baltimore (#SHAPEBaltimore). Each state Teacher of the Year award recipient from a participating state affiliate will receive a one-year SHAPE America Select Professional membership, a $200 GOPHER gift card that does not expire, a one-year SPARK digital curriculum subscription for one SPARK program, and much more:
- A complimentary student registration for #SHAPEBaltimore;
- Rewards and swag for each state-level TOY including:
- A ¼ zip pull over;
- Recognition banner;
- $200 GOPHER gift card that does not expire;
- A 1-year SPARK digital curriculum subscription for one SPARK program;
- A 1- year Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Online Classroom Subscription with Online Instructor Resources (for Health Education TOYs);
- A 1-year SHAPE America Select Professional membership;
- Social media badges for state TOY winners to use;
- A state-branded SHAPE America TOY State Partner Program Logo;
- An opportunity to participate in two state partner virtual meetings with other state EDs and awards chairs to brainstorm new strategies for recruiting TOY applicants and troubleshoot problems;
- A special webinar that provides support for state TOYs applying for District TOY to offer support and guidance (this webinar is now available to all state TOYs!); and
- Recognition and promotion at the SHAPE America National Convention and Expo.
"The rewards we receive through the SHAPE America Teacher of the Year State Partner Program allow us to better celebrate and support our SHAPE Montana Teachers of the Year,” said Reg Hageman, executive director of SHAPE Montana. “Additionally, the financial support we receive provides opportunities to advocate for HPE, locally and nationally. Next year, we’ll also get to send a student to experience #SHAPEBaltimore, thanks to the complimentary registration we will receive.”
The SHAPE America state affiliates that have signed on to participate in the 2024-2025 year include:
- Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
- Hawaii Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
- Minnesota SHAPE
- Mississippi Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
- North Dakota SHAPE
- Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
- Oregon SHAPE
- SHAPE Colorado
- SHAPE DC
- SHAPE Idaho
- SHAPE Iowa
- SHAPE Maryland
- SHAPE Montana
- SHAPE Nevada
- SHAPE New Mexico
- SHAPE West Virginia
- Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators serves as the voice for 200,000+ health and physical education professionals across the United States. The organization’s community includes a diverse membership of health and physical educators, as well as advocates, supporters, and 50+ state affiliate organizations.
Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education. The SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and National Health Education Standards serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education and health education programs nationwide, providing a comprehensive framework for educators to deliver high-quality instruction and make a positive difference in the health and well-being of every student.
For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.
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