2015 Southern District Award Winners 1
2015 Southern District Award Winners
Donna L. Dunaway Medal — Cam Kerst-Davis
Kerst-Davis holds degrees in health and physical education from Washington State University, Pacific Lutheran University and Middle Tennessee State University. For more than 40 years, she has been a passionate and relentless advocate for quality physical education. For 38 years she worked as an elementary physical education specialist, rising to the upper-most echelons of “practitioner-scholars” in the United States.
Among Kerst-Davis’s most revered traits is that she is a positive and productive collaborator, as evidenced by her participation in co-writing or revising numerous state standards and frameworks over the years, including the Tennessee K-8 Comprehensive School Health Education Framework, the Tennessee Health and Physical Education Standards, and NASPE’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices, among several others. She has also been called to many “acronym groups” and task forces over the past 40 years; if the project or task is important, if it is difficult and if it is tedious, you want Kerst-Davis on the team.
Kerst-Davis has served in a variety of unique and special roles as a longtime member of the Southern District Board of Directors, including president, vice president of physical education, vice president of the general division, representative to the Board of Governors of AAHPERD (2009-2012), and convention program planning chair for the past nine years. Not surprisingly, in recent years her Tennessee Association called her to serve as executive director. In each role, she has proven to be an ethical leader, wise counselor, strategic problem solver and “get-the-job-done-right” professional.
Her expertise, exquisite understanding of curriculum and proven program excellence have earned her pinnacle distinctions, including a NASPE “STAR” School Award between 2004-2009 and National Board Certification in Physical Education and Early/Middle Childhood. Kerst-Davis earned the Johnson County Teacher of the Year award in 1993, and in 1994 she was honored as both the Tennessee and Southern District Elementary Physical Educator of the Year. She has also received Honor Awards from Tennessee AHPERD, Southern District and SHAPE America.
Kerst-Davis is a lighthouse of knowledge and the epitome of positive engagement in the health and physical education profession. Scholar, author, leader, organizer, advocate and representative are among the many roles she has enjoyed throughout her long and distinguished career, but the role that most closely aligns with her passion and heart is that of physical education teacher. In recognition of her body of professional work and accomplishments, her service and scholarship, the 2015 Dunaway Medal is presented to Dr. Cam Kerst-Davis.
Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year — J.D. Hughes
J.D. Hughes has been an elementary physical education teacher in Douglasville, GA, since 1995. At his current school, Mirror Lake Elementary, he provides a challenging, yet developmentally appropriate physical education learning environment. In his classes, Hughes strives to develop his students’ motor and social skills, physical fitness and cognitive awareness. He also works with students and families to promote physical fitness before and after school through the F.I.T.T. Club and Roadrunner’s Club.
A National Board Certified Teacher, Hughes serves as a cooperating teacher and mentor for local colleges, and is constantly striving to improve his teaching, share his practice and strengthen the teaching profession. He has been a member of the GAHPERD board and currently serves on the advisory board for the Best Practices and 3-5 Lesson Plans area of P.E. Central. In 2014, he was named GAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.Hughes has published five books and produced four related DVDs. He has been the featured presenter and co-presenter at more than 140 local, state and national workshops and conventions.
Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year — Dave Senecal
Dave Senecal has been a physical education specialist in Paulding County, GA, since 1997. Over the years, he has been instrumental in the design and installation of more than 20 miles of recreational trails in and around the county, and has served as the voluntary elementary physical education professional development coordinator for his school district.
In 2012, Senecal was given an opportunity to open P.B. Ritch Middle School. Since then, he has built an award-winning program at the school. By securing multiple grants, Senecal was able to purchase longboards and mountain bikes, allowing him to teach students activities they can participate in after school and on weekends. In 2008, Senecal was selected as one of 16 physical education specialists to write the current Georgia Physical Education Standards. He has served as recreation chair and vice president of the General Division for GAHPERD. In 2010, Senecal was named GAHPERD Recreation Specialist of the Year, and in 2014 he was named GAHPERD Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year — Barbara Berry
Barbara Berry, a 23-year veteran of Brevard County Public Schools, has been a physical education teacher at Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, FL, since 1994. In addition to teaching, she has served as the school’s athletic director and has been the chair of the Physical Education/Health Department for more than 15 years. Since 2006, she has also served as director of her school’s Health and Wellness Academy, which was established to promote health and wellness education and to prepare students for careers in the health sciences.
An ardent student herself, Berry has completed advanced training in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), as well as sports medicine care and prevention of athletic injuries. Beyond the classroom, she has mentored students in the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Group, been committee chair for the SHAPE Florida Sport/Athletics Committee, and served as the lead curriculum writer for high school physical education teachers in Brevard County.In Berry’s own words, “Physical education is far more than a profession for me, it is a lifelong passion.”
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year — Meredith Morton
A nationally certified teacher in adapted physical education, Meredith Morton has been teaching K-12 adapted physical education for more than eight years in Hanover County Public Schools near Richmond, VA.Highlights of her career include initiating Hanover’s first annual Special Olympics “Little Feet Meet,” starting Hanover’s first chapter of Achilles International’s “Achilles Kids: Run to Learn” virtual marathon walk/run/roll program, and helping develop a toolkit to support students who have sustained a brain injury.
Morton has been a member of VAHPERD for nine years and has served as adapted PE chair and
a member of the Grant Committee. She has presented at the VAHPERD convention and at the James Madison University Health and Physical Activity Institute on topics such as “How to Host a Little Feet Meet,” “Simple and Quick Modifications to Facilitate Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in PE,” and “Favorite Games and Strategies for Success of Students of All Ages and Abilities.” She is the 2014-2015 VAHPERD Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
Health Education Teacher of the Year — Delia Thibodeaux
In 1996, Delia Thibodeaux began her career as a math teacher at North Shore Senior High School in Houston. After teaching math at several schools, she decided to switch to health education in 2005.
In her current teaching position at Westside High School, Thibodeaux uses technology in the classroom and has her students participate in research, create and present skits and PowerPoint presentations, design brochures, and write children’s books. Her students are engaged in learning about current health issues such as teen pregnancy, alcohol, drugs, relationships and mental health.
Thibodeaux is the curriculum writer for the Houston Independent School District, is a member of the School Health Advisory Council, and has spoken to the Texas Education Agency Board as an advocate for keeping health education as a graduation requirement course. She also trains students and school district personnel in CPR/AED and serves as a volunteer and presenter for TAHPERD.
Honor Award —Tecca Kilmer
Tecca Kilmer is a leader and professional advocate at the state, district and national levels. Most recently she served as president of SHAPE Florida, and she is currently serving on the Southern District Leadership Council. She is also the district’s Let’s Move!Active Schools coordinator and is on the advocacy committee.
Kilmer is a National Board Certified teacher who has been teaching at Turkey Creek Middle School in Plant City, FL, for the past 16 years. Recently, she created the Healthy Hearts Club, which gives students the opportunity to educate the community on health-related issues. She also created programs to benefit her students and community such as FIT (Families Involved Together), Olympic Day and an annual health fair. She is the Hoops For Heart coordinator, a Special Olympics coach, and advisor to the Archery Club and Best Buddies Club.
Scholar Award — Damon Andrew
Damon Andrew is dean of the College of Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University. His scholarly productivity on topics such as leadership in sport and the effective integration of individuals with disabilities into the sporting environment has included a research methods textbook; 29 funded grants and contracts;more than 120peer-reviewed articles, reviews, proceedings, and book chapters; and more than 80 presentations at national and international conferences.
Dr. Andrew has served as member-at-large for the North American Society for Sport Management andfinancial officer for the Sport and Recreation Law Association. Recently he began a three-year term as vice chair, chair-elect, and chair of the board of the AmericanAssociation of University Administrators. He is currentlyeditor of the Sport Management Education Journal, editor of the Journal of Applied Sport Management, senior editor of the Journal of Higher Education Management, and associate editor of the International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing.
Taylor Dodson Young Professional Award — Brian Mosier
Brian Mosier is an assistant professor of health and physical education at the University of West Georgia. At the university, he serves on the Wolf Wellness Advisory Council and Disability Awareness Day Committee, and is an active member of the Leadership Development Team, Online Peer Review Team, Faculty Governance Council, and Doctoral Degree Advisory Committee. His numerous awards include the 2012 Young Scholar Award and the 2014 College/University Physical Education Teacher of the Year award from GAHPERD.Dr. Mosier is a column editor for the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance, and a member of the GAHPERD Editorial Board.
As stated by one of his nominators, “Dr. Mosier has been a valuable contributor to the work of SHAPE America. He is always happy to share his time and talents with the membership through publication, presentations and participation in committee work. The spirit of service that he demonstrates makes him a wonderful recipient of the Taylor Dodson Award.”
Ethnic Minority Award — Tarin T.D. Hampton
Tarin T. Dumas Hampton is an associate professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education & Exercise Science at Norfolk State University. Her teaching career spans all grade levels across the United States and internationally. She was invited on sabbatical to the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, where she assisted colleagues in the Music Department by developing the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts Dance Major. Her primary areas of teaching are dance and health and physical education.
Dr. Hampton has been a member of the Ethnic Minority Committee since its inception, is a two-time Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship recipient, career-long member of AAHPERD (now SHAPE America), past promotions director of National Dance Association, and member/delegate of IAHPERD and GAHPERD. She currently serves commissioner for the Division of Dance of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance and is vice president-elect for the Dance Division of VAHPERD.
Recreational Professional of the Year — Jack O’Donnell
Jack O'Donnell is an elementary physical education teacher at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA. He is also an assistant with the varsity soccer team and head coach of the eighth-grade lacrosse team. O’Donnell has 29 years of teaching and coaching experience. He has attended multiple SHAPE America (formerly AAHPERD) national conventions and has presented at several VAHPERD and Virginia Independent Schools (VAIS) conventions.
At St. Christopher’s, O’Donnell has won two of the four highest awards given to faculty: the 1995 Bolling Award (for strengthening the bond between faculty and students) and the 2011 Jacobs Distinguished Coaching Award. He was recently named the National High School Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. His commitment to educating students about developing and maintaining a physically active lifestyle has also included working with soccer, lacrosse, aquatics, hiking and biking camps for ages 3-5 and 5-12.
Sport Professional of the Year — Willie Hey
Dr. Willie Hey has almost 30 years of higher education experience and has taught many undergraduate and graduate courses. Currently, he is the graduate coordinator of the Sport Media & Branding (SMB) concentration within the Master of Science in Recreation & Sport Administration graduate at Western Kentucky University. He provides leadership and other vital input for curriculum development, creating course assignments and marketing strategies for the SMB concentration. The SMB concentration is an innovative, first of its kind online program resulting from a partnership between the School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sportand the School of Journalism & Broadcasting.
Dr. Hey has been a long time contributor to his state, district and national affiliations and remains active in research. He co-presented two sessions at last year’s Southern District convention and was selected to present a session titled, “Identifying Criteria for Assessing Case Studies Related to Sport Legal Issues” at this year’s Atlanta convention.
College/University Dance Educator of the Year — Susan Mayes
Susan Williams Mayes began work at the University of Arkansas after 10 years of public school teaching in physical education and dance. In her 31 years as an instructor in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation at the University of Arkansas, she has taught a wide variety of classes and currently serves as the coordinator of undergraduate studies in a department that serves more than 1,350 students. Her current teaching assignment is preparing future physical educators to become teachers in a K-12 setting.
Mayes goes out of her way to help students achieve their goals, and has a particular interest in developmental advising and empowering student to realize their true potential. She has twice been recognized by the College of Education and Health Professions for outstanding advising and service. If you meet Ms. Mayes, be prepared to share her enthusiasm for the University of Arkansas and the benefits of excellent performance in higher education.
College/University Health Professional of the Year — Laurie Larkin
Laurie Larkin has more than 24 years of university teaching experience. Currently, she is an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students in public health. Over the course of her career, Dr. Larkin has received seven different teaching awards.
Professionally, she has served three terms as vice president of health for KAHPERD, was elected as a Health Division delegate to the Representative Assembly for SDAAHPERD, participated in three SDAAHPERD leadership conferences, served on the KAHPERD Awards Committee, assisted as a KAHPERD Journal article reviewer, and served as a member of the Division Board for Professional Preparation for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Dr. Larkin is the co-author of the textbook, Physiological Screening Test Manual for Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating Among Female Collegiate Athletes and several research articles. She has presented at state, district and national conferences.
Outstanding Future Professional of the Year — Cameron Brown
Cameron Brown is currently a physical education major at the College of Charleston, where he serves as a resident assistant. As a head sailing instructor, he has been responsible for all facets of a junior sailing program, including creating a course curriculum and conducting on-water and classroom lessons.
Brown volunteers with elementary physical educators at two elementary schools, and has volunteered with the Junior Girls Day Out program, the Move, Groove & Get Active autism program, and the Cooper River Bridge Kids Run. He also served as co-chair of the College of Charleston Relay for Life fundraising team. Brown is the Future Professional representative on the Southern District Leadership Council and is a Dance board member for SCAHPERD. As stated by one of his nominators, “Cameron has exhibited many great qualities that will lead him to be successful in his profession. He has a solid work ethic, sets standards for himself…and has made an early commitment of getting involved in the SHAPE America organization.”
W. Clyde Partin Service Award — Christy Swaid, HEAL Alabama
Christy Swaid has been on a mission that parallels that of Southern District in promoting healthy andactive lifestyles. She is the founder of HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living), a non- profit organization that provides a multifaceted elementary-school physical education program to children in Alabama. The program guides children to choose healthy foods and exercise for the purpose of improving and maintaining good health. Children also learn about disease prevention and how to establish longterm, healthy lifestyle habits.