teacher of the year AWARDS
teacher of the year Awards
honors individuals for excellence in teaching and overall performance in the disciplines of physical education at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, adapted physical education, health education at the middle school and high school levels, dance education and outdoor adventures education.
2025 TOY Recipients
Top Row (left to right)
Adapted Physical Education TOY - Dorothy "Dar" Niemira
Elementary Physical Education TOY - Nicholas D'Ambroso
Middle School Physical Education TOY - Shelby Hosmer
Bottom Row (left to right)
High School Physical Education TOY - Kiki Seago
*Outdoor Adventures TOY - Brianne Blaszak
*Outdoor Adventures TOY is sponsored by Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation
Previous Award Recipients
2026
Adapted Physical Education - Jonathan Philby
Elementary Physical Education - Katie Dylag and Kevin Yarnell
Middle School Physical Education - Janelle Tyler
Middle School Health Education - Meghan Vlad
High School Physical Education - Joe Knapp
High School Health Education - Jillian Austin
Outdoor Adventures - Monica Wolfe
2025
Adapted Physical Education - Dorothy 'Dar' Niemira
Elementary Physical Education - Nicholas D'Ambroso
High School Physical Education - Kiki Seago
Middle School Health Education - Shelby Hosmer
Outdoor Adventures - Brianne Blaszak
2024
Adapted Physical Education - Jessica Verrigni
Elementary Physical Education - Brandon Herwick
Middle School Physical Education - Brianne Blaszak
High School Physical Education - Sheldon Sucre
Middle School Health Education - Anna Marriot
High School Health Education - Drew Miller
2023
Adapted Physical Education - Sarah Fuller
Dance Education - Karen Bonanno
Elementary Physical Education - Sean Dooley
High School Health Education - Kerri Tracy
MEMBER BENEFITS
We provide valuable services, guidance, and encouragement to our members.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
"We need to honor what we know, by sharing the best of what we do teacher to teacher."
Dr. Art Costa and Dr. Bena Kallick
GIVING
The goal of giving to NYS AHPERD and to our Foundation is to leave a strong and secure legacy for the generation of educators to come.