KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - This weekend at the West's Best P.E. Conference, the King County Physical Activity Coalition will be granting six public school physical educators with the 4th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards.
"The physical education instructors we are honoring are to be commended for helping to make physical activity an integral part of our children's lives," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Teaching children of all ages the importance of an active lifestyle will enhance their lives and build healthy communities."
"We know that increasing numbers of people are living sedentary lifestyles, but in King County we are committed to finding ways to promote healthy and active living," said King County Board of Health Chair and Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds. "We are very proud of these physical education champions."
Award winners include:
- Edward Adams, Dearborn Park Elementary, Seattle School District
- Nancy Denney, Audubon Elementary, Lake Washington School District
- Travis Goodlet, Gildo Rey Elementary, Auburn School District
- Barb Herring McEwan, Schmitz Park Elementary, Seattle School District
- Tracy Krause, Tahoma Middle School, Tahoma School District
- Alan Tepper, North Bend Elementary, Snoqualmie Valley School District
Physical education teachers were selected from all grade levels and will receive their awards on February 5, 2005 at the West's Best P.E. Conference at Chief Sealth High School. Public Health - Seattle & King County provides each winner with a plaque and monetary award.
"These teachers represent the kinds of cutting edge programs that set Washington apart from the rest of the country," said Bud Turner, from Seattle Pacific University and a lead organizer of the West's Best P.E. Conference. "This success-oriented national conference covers the latest techniques in integrating academic concepts through movement, individualizing skills, and popular dance and fitness activities."
The King County Physical Activity Coalition was convened because of the high rate of sedentary living in King County. Locally, about half of all adults live a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity decreases the risk of developing many different chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain kinds of cancer.
Visit Public Health's physical activity web pages.
Current King County Physical Activity Coalition partners include:
American Heart Association | Bicycle Alliance of Washington | Bike Works | Boeing Employees Wellness Programs | Cascade Bicycle Club | Feet First | Senior Services | Children's Hospital | King County Department of Transportation | King County Park System | Seattle Department of Transportation | Austin Foundation | Overlake Hospital - Connections Fitness | Public Health - Seattle & King County | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle Parks and Recreation Department | Seattle Public Schools | Senior Services | University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center | Washington Recreation and Parks Association | YMCA | Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health - Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day. |
