SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators today announced its 2026 District Teacher of the Year award recipients, who are being recognized for excellence in adapted physical education, health education, and physical education.
These outstanding educators — who were all previously recognized as state teachers of the year —have now been selected as the “best of the best” in their category at the district level, representing one of SHAPE America’s five districts: Central, Eastern, Midwest, Southern, and Western.
“What makes these educators truly special is their ability to ignite a passion for movement and healthy living in their students,” says SHAPE America CEO Stephanie Morris. “That's exactly the kind of transformative teaching we celebrate through this program.” The program is sponsored by the Teacher of the Year Partner Network — SPARK, Wellness Training Specialists, Gopher, and G-W Publisher.
SHAPE America will honor these District Teachers of the Year at the 2026 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Kansas City, March 17-21. During the convention’s closing general session on Friday, March 20, SHAPE America will announce which district winner in each of the five categories below has been named the National Teacher of the Year for that category.
“The SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Kansas City will be the perfect setting to honor these exceptional educators,” says Morris. “We’re incredibly proud to spotlight their work before a national audience.”
The following educators have been named 2026 SHAPE America District Teachers of the Year:
Adapted Physical Education
- Tyler Hetland (Central District): Explorer Academy, Fargo, ND
- Korey Kleinhans (Midwest District): Oshkosh West High School, Oshkosh, WI
- Sharon Gregory (Southern District): Greene County Public Schools, Stanardsville, VA
- Chris Ahrens (Western District): San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA
Health Education
- Stephen Chapin (Central District): St. James Middle/High School, St. James, MN
- Drew Miller (Eastern District): Bard High School Early College Manhattan, New York, NY
- Matt Hagedorn (Midwest District): Tallmadge High School, Tallmadge, OH
- Nicole Sheffer (Southern District): Fern Creek High School, Louisville, KY
Elementary Physical Education
- Chris Tangert (Central District): Gatewood Elementary School, Minnetonka, MN
- Nicholas D’Ambroso (Eastern District): Prospect Hill School, Pelham Manor, NY
- William Westphal (Midwest District): Taft Elementary School & Alliance Charter School, Neenah, WI
- Amanda Davis (Southern District): McAlpine Elementary School, Charlotte, NC
- Ashley Sharp (Western District): Palmdale Discovery Center, Palmdale, CA
Middle School Physical Education
- Leah Wheeling (Central District): Simle Middle School, Bismarck, ND
- Brianne Blaszak (Eastern District): Global Concepts Charter School, Buffalo, NY
- Jennifer Stankiewicz (Midwest District): Gower Middle School, Burr Ridge, IL
- Anna LoBean (Southern District): Hopewell Middle School, Milton, GA
High School Physical Education
- Carla Christiansen (Central District): Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, MN
- Colleen Degnan (Eastern District): Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE
- Rachel Winsten (Southern District): Viera High School, Melbourne, FL
- Reginald Hageman (Western District): Capital High School, Helena, MT
For more information about the 2026 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, visit the website at convention.shapeamerica.org and follow #SHAPEKC.