Big IAHPERD Update
September 2020
Congrats to our 2020 IAHPERD Teachers of the Year
Elementary PE Teacher of the Year
Waukee Community School District
Middle School PE Teacher of the Year
Council Bluffs Community School District
High School PE Teacher of the Year
Davenport Community School District
Thank you Casey, Billy, Kyle, and all of our great nominees for the innovation and passion to provide quality physical education to your students and peers!
Nominations for Teacher of the Year
We are looking for nominations in the following areas;
- Elementary Physical Educator of the Year
- Middle School Physical Educator of the Year
- Secondary Physical Educator of the Year
- Adapted Physical Educator of the Year.
- Dance Educator of the Year
- Health Educator of the Year
General Election Nominations
President-Elect
Eric Shafer
I taught at Woodward Academy with 1 year of Special Education and PE. I then went to Summit Middle School (Johnston Schools) for Special Education for a year. I then went to Johnston Middle School and taught PE for 8th and 9th grade for 7 years. I went to Lawson Elementary (Johnston Schools) for one year as a Student Support Facilitator. I have been back at Johnston Middle School teaching PE for the past three years.
I have a variety of experiences and wish to grow the Physical Education program in the state of Iowa. I love teaching Physical Education. I hope to be an advocate for the profession. I would like to help the IAHPERD program in any way that I can.
Leadership Council (8 Nominees, Vote for 4)
Taylor Bowie
I feel I would be a great fit for this group because I love sharing ideas with people. I have worked with and understand standard reference grading and willing to help others with it. I work close with many different organizations (Kidstriders, NFLplay60, Healthiest State Initiative, etc.) I am always willing to help others out and allow people to observe me teach. I share what I believe and want the best for Physical Education teachers and Health teachers. I have presented at IAHPERD Conference when I was at Buena Vista and I presented on First Tee Program with Erik Heard.
Kyle Fox
I feel that my passion for the health and wellness of our students and community drives my efforts to further our profession and be an advocate whenever I can. I have been an active leader in the PE and health department of one of the largest school districts in the state and I feel that my involvement in our professional organizations has helped not only me professionally but has positively impacted the staff and students that I work with. I believe that becoming more involved in our organization I can continue to be an impactful voice for the students that I work with as well as students across the state. I take great confidence in my ability to collaborate successfully with a variety of groups and individuals towards common goals while using effective communication skills. I enjoy my profession and want to be a part of our continued growth as educators and healthy lifestyle advocates.
Kerbee Gratz
I believe I would be a good fit for the position because it would be a great way to make a difference in our profession and make connections with like-minded physical educators. I am very energetic and motivated in increasing my knowledge of how to best educate our students. There is always an opportunity to learn more and improve current ideas or practices. I could help with the growth of IAHPERD specifically with technology (my master's degree is in Teaching and Technology), outreach (connecting young, prospective PE teachers who are in college), and connecting teachers from smaller schools who may be the only one in their school or district.
Ann Griffin
I have been an itinerant adapted physical education teacher and consultant for the past 30+ years. I received my MA from the University of Iowa in physical education with a specialization in adapted physical education. I hold the national CAPE credential (Certified Adapted Physical Educator) and have 45 plus hours of additional training. I began my teaching career in the Iowa City Community School District as an itinerant adapted physical education teacher at 3 buildings before accepting a position at Grant Wood Area Education Agency. My role has evolved over the years at the AEA from itinerant teacher to adapted physical education consultant I support physical educators and their students with disabilities ages 3-21, in 32 school districts in eastern Iowa. As a consultant at the AEA I have helped to provide professional development opportunities and workshops as well as student specific supports.
I am a longtime member of IAHPERD and have served as an AEA rep and I fully support the work of the association. Adapted physical education starts with GREAT physical education. I have been fortunate to partner with MANY great physical educators. I am a passionate teacher, student and advocate for the work that physical educators do and for the contribution of the field of physical education to learning and development.
I am a passionate advocate for the role of physical education in the development of healthy active learners. I am a passionate advocate for the physical educators in our state who do the work, many times without the needed supports. Motor development is the foundation of learning readiness and neurological development of children. Physical educators have powerful keys to unlock learning across all domains.
Kim Hurley
I have deeply enjoyed serving professionals in our discipline in various leadership capacities. My research has focused on preparing young professionals to successfully advocate for our profession and their students and I have attended the National SPEAK Out! event with SHAPE America six of the last seven years. I have a deep passion for teaching, especially guiding young educators, as they learn to navigate the 21st-century physical education classroom. I have supervised 100's of young pre-service professionals in field experiences and student teaching and that has enabled me to see best practices and challenges in our PK-12 physical education classrooms. Additionally, as a lifelong mover, I have a solid appreciation for the importance of physical literacy for our youth especially in light of health challenges that impact individuals across the lifespan. I look forward to serving Iowa HPE K-12 and higher education professionals as a member of the Iowa AHPERD Leadership Council.
Sarah Murphy
I am a reflective teacher who truly believes in the power of collaboration. I know that a Physical Educator’s best tool is the support and feedback, support, and ideas they receive from their peers. I strongly believe in providing purposeful, sequential, meaningful instruction to my students. I look forward to the opportunity to provide support for my colleagues across the state, as well as growing professionally by learning from others!
Anthony Oros
Since joining IAHPERD, I have made great connections with various educators, and the opportunity that presents itself is one that I've dreamed of. Every educator has room for growth, and IAHPERD has provided me with many opportunities like this one. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and I believe this position will help me become the leader that I want to become. Through my passion and dedication to teaching, I am committed to becoming the best physical education teacher that I can become. A goal of mine that I set at the end of last school year was to become more involved in either my school's committee's, or become more active in IAHPERD. I believe I am one who displays high character, and my experience with coaching in the high school, and playing football in college has taught me how to adapt and take constructive criticism. Later in my teaching career, I would like to pursue an administrative role, and I believe I would benefit from this position. Through the leadership council position, I aspire to put my time and energy into helping others become successful by making connections, providing guidance and assistance, while supplying the resources they need. I
Justin Wiese
I feel like I can bring experience and ideas to this position. I have been involved with IAHPERD in the past serving on different committees, leadership council and attending conventions. I have been teaching elementary Physical Education for 16 years between 2 great districts and feel that my experiences teaching, along with my experiences on IAHPERD can help on the leadership council.