LEONARDTOWN, Md. - The St. Mary's County Public School System today made several announcements concerning accomplishments by its Physical Education, Health, and Athletics staff.
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Mr. Rocco A. Aiello has been named the 2006 Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD). Mr. Aiello teaches adapted physical education to students with disabilities at Chopticon High, Great Mills High, and Leonardtown High schools, and acts as a resource to other physical education teachers at the elementary and middle school levels.
Mr. Aiello is recognized for his work at the county, state, and national level. He is a strong supporter of Special Olympics and has been instrumental in developing an aquatics program for students with disabilities at the Great Mills Pool. As an advocate for peer tutoring and the active involvement of paraeducators, he has contributed to two publications that are currently in press.
Mr. Aiello is a Certified Adapted Physical Educator and the Chair of the Maryland Consortium of Adapted Physical Education Teachers. He received this outstanding award at the MAHPERD Annual Convention on Friday, October 20, 2006.
-----
Certified Athletic Administrators
Ms. Brenda C. Henley, Mr. Glenn A. Larnerd, and Mr. Richard F. O'Donnell recently successfully completed the requirements necessary to become a "Certified Athletic Administrator" (CAA). The CAA program, which is administered by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, identifies those directors who demonstrate a certifiable level of both experience and expertise in the administration of interscholastic athletics.
Ms. Henley, Mr. Larnerd, and Mr. O'Donnell are currently responsible for student activity programs at Great Mills High, Leonardtown High, and Chopticon High schools respectively. Directing the interscholastic athletics program is their prime responsibility.
By completing this certification, they have joined an elite group of interscholastic athletic directors nationwide.
-----
Simon McNeely Award Winner
Ms. Melissa K. Warner, a physical education teacher at Greenview Knolls Elementary School, has been selected as a 2006-2007 recipient of the Simon McNeely Award by the Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD).
In order to be eligible for consideration for this award, an individual must:
1. Demonstrate outstanding teaching and service in Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance;
2. Demonstrate innovations in Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance through teaching and service;
3. Be a current member of MAHPERD or a professional organization pertaining to their field;
4. Have presented or actively participated in HPERD workshops and conferences in the past three years;
5. Be actively involved in school and community affairs and problems related to Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance; and
6. Have a minimum of five years professional experience in a Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance field.
Ms. Warner was recognized during the General Session of the MAHPERD Annual Convention on Friday, October 20, 2006.