*** NEWS RELEASE***
October 24, 2023
QACPS Health and Physical Education Teachers Earn Simon McNeely Award
Centreville – On October 20, 2023, two Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Health and Physical Education teachers were honored at the SHAPE Maryland Award Ceremony in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
SHAPE Maryland is an organization that serves current and future health and physical education professionals throughout Maryland with professional development, workshops, grants, and scholarships.
Both Allison Kern of Centreville Elementary School (CES), and Michael Wright of Kent Island High School (KIHS) received the Simon McNeely Award for their innovations in Health and Physical Education and their active role in the community and schools.
Mrs. Allison Kern has and continues to serve as a positive role model for her students and facilitates various teaching and learning experiences that are engaging and fun. In the past two years, Mrs. Kern introduced the Young Athletes In-Schools Program which is a fun way to integrate gross motor skills into the classroom for students with or without intellectual disabilities. This program was in collaboration with Special Olympics Maryland and has enhanced the joy of physical activity and health in her classroom.
“Mrs. Kern is the epitome of an outstanding health and physical education teacher”, said Mrs. Theresa Farnell Principal of CES, “and is most deserving of this recognition. She integrates content curriculum into her teaching and includes and adapts to provide all students with what they need to learn, grow, and succeed. CES is blessed to have her as a part of the team.”
Mr. Michael Wright was appointed the Chair of the Health and Physical Education Department at KIHS for the 2023-2024 school year. He attended the National SHAPE America Conference in March of 2023 and participated in nationally recognized professional development here in Queen Anne’s County. This August, Mr. Wright facilitated district wide professional learning for his colleagues on high-quality instructional practices.
KIHS Principal Dan Harding stated “Michael Wright is a valued member of the KIHS community. He has done many things throughout the years here including teaching, coaching, and most importantly being a solid role model for his students and athletes. Mr. Wright makes KIHS a better place because of his focus and dedication to the craft of teaching Physical Education!”
Congratulations Mrs. Kern and Mr. Wright!
Download the PDF version here.