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The Kentucky Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has named Lloyd memorial High School physical education and health teacher Rhonda Smith the Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
The KAHPERD is a professional organization in Kentucky that supports the state’s physical education and health educators. Smith was described by both those who nominated her throughout the Erlanger, Kentucky community and by her students as “an enthusiastic hard worker who leads by example. She was also described by the school district’s wellness alliance project coordinator Dianna O’Toole as someone who encourages her students to adopt healthy living habits and who is able to make a “strong connection” with them while doing so.
The annual award is presented to a physical education and/or health educator in the state of Kentucky who conducts a quality physical education program that adheres to the guidelines and standards established by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education. Nominees at the same time are expected to blend adherence to those guidelines and standards with their own creative and unique approach to conducting physical education and healthy living instruction. Additionally, they need to utilize a variety of teaching techniques and methodologies while implementing “innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students.”
As a matter of overall consideration, nominees for the annual award are also expected to conduct themselves both in their careers and in their personal lives as role models for personal health and fitness. John Riehemann, Principal of Lloyd Memorial, told reporters that Smith is an ideal fit for the award because of how she demonstrates her genuine and sincere interest in all things related to health and physical fitness “for the students for whom she has developed a deep love and respect.”