State honors given to fitness educators

ROCKPORT – The Maine Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Teacher of the Year award winners were announced to four individuals for work in their respective fields Nov. 5 during a conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Susan Shaw Nile of Pittsfield was named Teacher of the Year for Elementary Education for her work at Vickery School. Lisa M. Ronco of Saco was named Teacher of the Year for Middle Level Physical Education for her work at Saco Middle School. James M. DiFrederico of Hampden was named Teacher of the Year for his work at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, and Kim Bartholomew of Windham was named Teacher of the Year for Health Education K-12 for her work at Windham High School.

The MAHPERD Honor Award was presented to William E. Primmerman of Augusta for his work with the Department of Education. The Honor Award is given to both members and nonmembers of MAHPERD for their dedication, commitment and leadership in the fields of health and physical education.

One of MAHPERD’s missions is to collect teacher of the year nominations from principals, headmasters, superintendents and colleagues. MAHPERD seeks out teachers who through their innovative teaching methods, dynamic involvement in their schools and communities, make a mark empowering teachers and students, to achieve high levels of excellence in their lives and in their work.

To earn the Teacher of the Year award, each nominee submitted an application, which was rated by previous award winners. Applicants had to submit their educational background, career summary, teaching methodologies, curriculum overviews and innovations, contributions to professional growth, professional affiliations and activities, and previous honors and awards.