TAHPERD Awards

The David K. Brace Award recognizes individuals who are clearly outstanding in the profession, exemplify the best in service, teaching, and/or administration, are recognized as noteworthy leaders, and inspire others through their lives and contributions.

• Served the HPERD profession for at least 20 years in Texas.
• Member of TAHPERD for the 10 years immediately preceding nomination.
• Received a state, district, or national award for professional contributions.
• Clearly outstanding in service, teaching, and/or administration.
• Documented extensive professional involvement in an associated national organization such as SHAPE America.
• Has received the Honor Award.

The Honor Award recognizes significant contributions to health education, physical education, recreation, and/or dance.

• Served the profession for at least 10 years in Texas.
• Member of TAHPERD for the five years immediately preceding nomination.
• Demonstrated significant contributions through excellence in teaching; outstanding administrative achievement; research or creative endeavors; leadership in professional organizations at the state, district, and national levels, including TAHPERD; contributions to professional literature; and/or outstanding community service.

Nominees must have been TAHPERD members for the five years preceding nomination. Selection is based on training, experience, and scholarly activity in publications and presentations at the state and national levels.

Nominees must provide:

• A letter of recommendation
• Present position and institution
• Degrees held
• Professional experience
• Publications in scholarly journals
• Presentations at professional meetings
• Name of the person making the recommendation
• Evidence of scholarly creative endeavors

TAHPERD recognizes outstanding teaching and professional involvement by honoring teachers and professionals of the year in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Recipients may advance for similar honors through Southern District AAHPERD. Eligible recipients may then be forwarded to SHAPE America for national consideration.

• Must be a TAHPERD member for three successive years before nomination.
• Nominees will be asked to document professional success in a formal application.
• Recipients must be SHAPE America members to compete beyond the state level.

• Worked five years or fewer in the profession since earning an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in HPERD.
• Recognized excellence in teaching, coaching, administration, or other professional duties.
• Leadership and service to the profession, including contributions to TAHPERD conventions, workshops, and conferences.
• Contributions to the community.
• Enthusiastic promotion of the HPERD profession.
• Student or professional member of TAHPERD for two years at the time of nomination.

The Pathfinder Award provides state recognition to women who demonstrate continuous dedication to advocacy, recruitment, and enhancement of girls and women in sport and sport leadership in Texas.

• Current TAHPERD member for at least the five years immediately preceding nomination.
• Worked 10 or more years in the profession.
• Recognized excellence in advocating for and recruiting girls and women in sport and sport leadership.
• Leadership and service to the profession in girls’ and women’s sport.
• Enthusiastic promotion of girls’ and women’s sport within the HPERD profession.

The Trailblazer Award recognizes TAHPERD members who demonstrate continuous dedication to advocacy, recruitment, and enhancement of male and/or female sport and sport leadership in Texas.

• Current TAHPERD member for at least the five years immediately preceding nomination.
• Worked 10 or more years in the profession.
• Recognized excellence in advocacy and recruitment of athletes in male and/or female sport and sport leadership.
• Leadership and service to the profession in sport.
• Enthusiastic promotion of sport within the HPERD profession.

This award honors administrators and supervisors who demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, professional contribution, and service to TAHPERD’s mission.

• Current TAHPERD member for at least the five years immediately preceding nomination.
• K–12 or college/university administrator or supervisor in health, physical education, recreation, and/or dance for five or more years.
• Leadership in HPERD disciplines at local and state levels.
• Advocacy for quality education in HPERD disciplines.
• Significant contributions to curriculum development, technology, innovation, staff development, program improvement, and resource development.

The Dance Heritage Award recognizes elite TAHPERD members who demonstrate continuous leadership and dedication to advocacy and enhancement of dance in Texas.

• TAHPERD member for at least the five years immediately preceding nomination.
• Worked 10 or more years in the profession.
• Recognized excellence in dance education, choreography, performance, or scholarship.
• Leadership and service to professional organizations, including TAHPERD.
• Enthusiastic promotion of dance within the HPERD profession.
• Involvement in community outreach programs.