FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Missoula County School District Teacher Honored With National Award
RESTON, VA, March 8, 2017 — Cathy Fischer, a health and physical education teacher for eighth grade students at Meadow Hill Middle School in Missoula, MT, will be honored with the SHAPE America Honor Award for meritorious service by SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators. The award, which recognizes recipients for their personal integrity, devoted service to the profession, and noteworthy contributions to the advancement of health and physical education, will be presented at the Professional Excellence Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 16, during the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Boston.
"Cathy Fischer is an exemplary role model for both her teaching practices and her willingness to share her knowledge with others in the profession," says SHAPE America President Jackie Lund of Georgia State University. "She has devoted her career to promoting healthy, active lifestyles for young people."
Her work as an innovative teacher was recognized early in her career when she was honored as a state and district national teacher of the year. These awards opened up avenues for additional professional volunteer work in Montana and the SHAPE America Northwest District. Most recently she co-chaired the local organizing committee for the SHAPE America National Convention and Expo in Seattle, WA. For this and other work, Fischer was awarded the Honor Awards from Montana and SHAPE America Northwest District.
An area of focus for Fischer's teaching is assessment of standards based learning in health and physical education. Since students must successfully demonstrate their mastery of knowledge and skills, it becomes much more likely that they will value and adopt a healthy, active lifestyle. Fischer is also involved in professional learning communities at Meadow Hill, primarily in the team facilitator role with the Montana Behavioral Initiative. The team's goal is to aid students and staff ability to implement a system of positive behavioral intervention.
Many colleagues, supervisors, and friends have demonstrated the value of professionalism and community service. However, the rewards of hard work and community service was first started at home when she witnessed both of her parents be very active in their professional organizations and within the Missoula community. Her parents demonstrated the value of volunteer work which impacted her professional vision. Therefore, Fischer continues this commitment as the chair of the SHAPE Northwest District Awards committee and as a volunteer with local youth programs.
Fischer received a Bachelor of Science in physical education from the University of Montana, Missoula, and a Master of Science from the University of Oregon in Eugene.
More than 4,000 health and physical education teachers, researchers and other physical activity professionals are expected to attend the convention, which is the largest event of its kind in the country. The convention, which will take place March 14-18, is held in partnership with SHAPE America Eastern District and the Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD).
For more information about SHAPE America's National Convention & Expo, visit the website and follow #SHAPEBoston.
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators is committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives. As the nation's largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals, SHAPE America works with its 50 state affiliates and national partners to support initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let's Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs.
Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our resources provide the leadership, professional development and advocacy that support health and physical educators at every level - from preschool to university graduate programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.