SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators announced and honored the 2026 National Teacher of the Year recipients at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, which was held in Kansas City, MO, March 17-21. The five winners were recognized for excellence in adapted physical education, health education, and physical education.
The Teacher of the Year awards are given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today's youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. The national winners were all previously recognized at the state and district level.
The 2026 SHAPE America National Teachers of the Year are:
- Adapted Physical Education — Chris Ahrens, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA
- Health Education — Stephen Chapin, St. James Middle/High School, St. James, MN
- Elementary Physical Education — Nicholas D'Ambroso, Prospect Hill School, Pelham Manor, NY
- Middle School Physical Education — Leah Wheeling, Simle Middle School, Bismarck, ND
- High School Physical Education — Carla Christiansen, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, MN
“These exceptional teachers embody the essence of our Teacher of the Year program,” said SHAPE America CEO Stephanie Morris. “We are so proud of these outstanding educators and are excited to honor and showcase them on a national stage throughout the year.”
The SHAPE America Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by the Teacher of the Year Partner Network — SPARK, Wellness Training Specialists, Gopher, and Goodheart-Willcox Publisher. For more information about the 2026 SHAPE America National Teachers of the Year, visit the National Teacher of the Year webpage.