Riverhead Teacher Receives 2014 National All Star Teacher of the Year Award

Photo courtesy of Riverhead Central School District

Project Fit America recently announced that Roanoke Avenue Elementary School Physical Education Teacher Samantha Heidtmann was one of six teachers selected for the 2014 National All Star Teacher of the Year Award.

Over the past 25 years, the program has been donated to almost, 1,000 schools in 300 cities and 45 states.

Heidtmann is one of less than seventy (70) PE Teachers to receive this award.

“Samantha stands out as head of the class. She has the spirit, energy, dedication and commitment that earns her the status of All Star. She is an outstanding role model for her peers and the physical education profession,” PFA wrote in a press release. “We look forward to shining a national spotlight on her through this award and to sharing with all of our PFA schools, across the country, the outstanding PFA Program she has created and continues to progress.”

According to Project Fit America (PFA), to be awarded the honor of National All Star Teacher status include the following:

• The students show knowledge and comprehension of PFA terms, phrases, and philosophies that are posted, spoken and championed by the PE Teacher through PFA lessons.
• Several to many key Chart and Challenges are progressively implemented with excellent student participation.
• Broad-based Fitness Programming has been developed into the core of their PE Program: This includes strength upper body, lower and abdominal, cardiovascular, flexibility, coordination as well as positive social skills.
• Strong and consistent utilization of the PFA Core Manual lessons in conjunctionwith indoor and outdoor equipment.
• Aspects of PFA’s character development programming are evident. Including teamwork, cooperation and communication among the students as well as PFA leadership recognition for Yellow Brick Students.
• Beyond Physical Education Class time programs are being explored and/or implemented.
• Exceptional dedication to the kids.
• Outstanding creativity in PFA program usage.
• Excellent rapport with other faculty, principal and parents.

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