Anne Whitmire, a long-time member of NCAAHPERD, will be inducted into the Henderson County Education Foundation Education Hall of Fame on March 15, 2012. Anne, along with nine other inductees, will joint 87 retired educators honored by Henderson County Education Foundation Education the over the past 10 years.

Whitmire began her teaching career at Balfour Elementary as physical education specialist in 1977. At Balfour Elementary, she implemented model programs in child conditioning and activities that were recognized for their excellence all across the state. Anne ended her career teaching at Clear Creek Elementary, retiring after the 2002-2003 school year. In addition to teaching physical education to her students, Anne also taught classroom teachers how to go about leading physical education classes. When a child’s self-confidence emerges first in sports, she reasoned, “that success is going to come academically, too.”

Dan Grube, Associate Dean of the Western Carolina University College of Education and Allied Professions and current Vice President of NCAAHPERD says, "Anne’s reach was not limited to Henderson County or even western North Carolina.  She was well known across the state; a respected leader in the field and friend and colleague to the many physical educators that attend the annual NCAAHPERD Convention each fall.  She has been nominated and received many awards and recognition for her achievements over her long and successful career.  A few years ago, upon her retirement, she received the NCAAHPERD Honor Award, the association’s highest honor. . . . I can’t think of any other teacher in western NC that has touched the lives of thousands of children in a most positive and meaningful way."