NC SHAPE's Teachers of the Year (TOY) program recognizes outstanding teachers in the following categories:

• Adapted Physical Education (K-12)

• Dance Education (K-12 not as a subject within a Physical Education program)

• Middle School Health Educator of the Year (6-8)

• High School Health Educator of the Year (9-12)

• Elementary Physical Education (K-5)

• Middle School Physical Education (6-8)

• High School Physical Education (9-12)

Being selected as an NC SHAPE Teacher of the Year is one of the highest honors within our profession. Individuals named NC SHAPE TOY are eligible for SHAPE America's Southern District TOY award and have a three-year window to apply at the district level. The winner of the Southern District TOY goes on to compete for national SHAPE America TOY honors.

Criteria:

• Current membership in NC SHAPE when nominated and when receiving the award

• Minimum of five years teaching experience in the content area nominated for

• Degree and certification in teaching

• Full time teaching in North Carolina at time of application submission & selection

  • Retired teachers are not eligible

• Minimum of 50% of total job responsibilities is teaching in the category nominated for at the time of application and selection:

  • Adapted Physical Education (K-12)

  • Dance Education (K-12 not as a subject within a Physical Education program)

  • Elementary Physical Education (K-5)

  • Middle School Health Educator of the Year (6-8)

  • Middle School Physical Education (6-8)

  • High School Physical Education (9-12)

  • High School Health Educator of the Year (9-12)

• Demonstrates evidence of excellence in teaching and dedication to the mission and principles of the NC SHAPE

Nominee Responsibilities: 

The nominee is responsible for keeping their NC SHAPE membership current, obtaining letters of recommendation, completing the cover page, and preparing the written statement and submitting all materials in time to meet the submission deadline.

Keep in mind that individuals named NC SHAPE TOY are eligible for SHAPE America's Southern District TOY award and may eventually compete for national SHAPE America TOY honors. The nominee should prepare the TOY nomination packet accordingly.

1. Verify Your Membership: Log into the NC SHAPE website to verify our membership is in good standing when nominated and receiving the award.
   
   
2. Cover Page: Download and fill out the Cover Page. (The Cover Page is a Word document. Download the Cover Page here.)
   
   
3. Written Statement: Respond to the five prompts below using at most 250 words of text for each prompt. Submit your Written Statement as a single pdf file.
   
   
4. Three Letters of Recommendation: Obtain three letters of recommendation - one from a colleague, one from an administrator/supervisor and one from a present or former student.

The Five Written Statement Prompts:

#1: In your Written Statement, explain how you utilize/design your curriculum for your students, emphasizing health and physical literacy.

The NC SHAPE TOY should demonstrate an understanding of the applicable national standards and show how they support learning health and physical literacy.

Adapted Physical Education National Standards - https://www.ncpeid.org/apens-15-standards

Dance National Standards - https://www.ndeo.org/Learn/Dance-Education-Standards/K-12-Dance-Standards

Health Education National Standards - https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/health/

Physical Education National Standards - https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/

#2: In your written statement, discuss the instructional practices and methods you employ to meet the needs of your students. This part of your written statement will assist us to see how you "utilize various teaching methodologies and appropriate instructional practices."

#3: In your written statement, explain how you address the diverse needs of students to be inclusive. This part of your written statement will assist us to see how you "plan and implement innovative and diverse experiences to meet the needs of all students."

#4: In your written statement, discuss how you use a variety of student assessments in your teaching. This part of your written statement will assist us to see how you "utilize ongoing student assessment as an essential component of the education program."

#5: In your written statement, tell how you advocate for the profession, participate in professional development opportunities, and serve through leadership, presentations, and writings. This part of your written statement will assist us to see how you "advocate for the profession, participate in professional development, and serve through leadership, presentations and writings."

1. Upload Your Cover Page (Download the Cover Page here.)
   
   
2. Upload Your Written Statement addressing the 5 prompts as seen above.
   
   
3. Two Letters of Recommendation (One from your immediate supervisor/school principal. One from a fellow colleague who know of your character and work.)

If you have questions, contact Artie Kamiya, Executive Director, at 919-818-6486 or artie@ncshape.org.

To make a submission you may need to register or log in.

• Members & Returning Guests - Login to your account. Once you are logged in, click the "New Submission" button near the bottom of the page.

  • Forgot your login/password? A link is provided to recover it.

• Non-Members & New Guests- Click on "New Submission." The page will reload. To start your submission, click "Register" near the bottom of the page. Registering will create a Guest Record of your contact information. There is no fee or cost to register as a guest.