California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance honors district staff, programs

The team from Pacific Beach Middle School.

The San Diego branch of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recently recognized outstanding health, physical education, recreation and dance teachers and programs in the county at its annual awards banquet at Paradise Point Resort.

Several district staff and programs were honored, including:

Shanna Jennings, Silver Gate Elementary - Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Pacific Beach Middle School - Secondary Physical Education Program of the Year
Cesar Santos, Mann Middle School - Outstanding New Physical Education Professional
Brenna Baringer, Department of Physical Education, Health and Athletics - Outstanding Service to the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (HPERD) Profession
Mary Lou Baranowski, Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary - American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD) Southwest District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year

Baranowski was also one of six finalists for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Teacher of the Year award.

In addition, those in attendance celebrated the retirement of Adapted Physical Education teacher Harry Smith, who has dedicated more than 25 years to education.

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is dedicated to promoting healthful lifestyles through quality education and programs. To nominate a local exemplary HPERD teacher or program in 2013-14, visit www.sdcoe.net/lret/hpe or contact Paige Metz at pmetz@sdcoe.net.

For more information on the district’s Health and Physical Education programs, contact Brenna Baringer at bbaringer@sandi.net.