We would like to once again congratulate the 2015 NDSHAPE Award winners! We appreciate all you do for the youth of our state, thank you for being leaders!
| 2015 Elementary TOY – Michelle Cary Kennedy Elementary- Fargo | Michelle is a teacher at Kennedy Elementary in Fargo and is very active with “Let’s Move! Active Schools” initiative. She enthusiastically became the school champion at her school and not only registered her school, but completed all the steps to achieve national recognition as a “Let’s Move! Active School.” Kennedy Elementary will be officially recognized this September (which may be the only one in North Dakota). Additionally, Michelle mentored and collaborated with a team of NDSU students throughout the school year on this project. Beyond this impressive achievement, Michelle has become one of NDSU’s “go-to” cooperating teachers for their program. She models appropriate practices, professionalism, and truly cares about her own students and teacher candidates. Her dedication to personal professional development is also evidenced by her success in her current master’s program. Lastly, she did all of the above during the 2014-2015 school year while serving as Head Coach of the 2015 ND State Girls Champion Soccer team, the Fargo North Spartans. |
| 2015 Middle School TOY- David Benson Carl Ben Elelson Middle School- Fargo | David is currently a teacher at Carl Ben Eilsen Middle School in Fargo. David has stepped up to the plate with the Fargo public teachers, setting up top notch professional development. He supports the state association and the professional as a whole. David teaches with passion purpose and thoughtfulness. Along with teaching, David has also served as a role model by coaching football as well as hockey for the last 8 years. Along with his coaching duties he also serves as a coaching mentor for younger coaches within the hockey association.. His duties don’t end at coaching, he helps students every morning in the Carl Ben Eielson intramural program where for 40 minutes students can participate in a number of different activities that help enhance their fitness levels. Every morning students are always standing in line so they can be one of the first ones into the gym. His colleagues consider David an asset to our profession. |
| 2015 Adapted Physical Education TOY-Ericka Freed/Urness | Ericka currently teaches at Horace, South, Westside, Eastwood, Freedom, Independence, and Aurora Elementary, Lodoen Kindergarten Center and West Fargo High School, and previously in Colorado. The second year Ericka taught in Colorado she was nominated and selected as the Promising Teacher of the Poudre School District. She is a teacher of many talents. Ericka enjoys working with children with special needs, making adaptive physical education a perfect fit for her. Ericka considers one of her other strengths classroom management and the ability to be clear and concise with her instruction. Ericka says "I believe we can make a difference in the lives of children and I feel lucky to have that opportunity each day." |
| 2015 College/University Physical Education TOY- Jenny Linker North Dakota State University- Fargo | Jenny is a professor at NDSU and teaches methods of Physical education classes to undergraduates. Jenny is very deserving of this award, as has been an innovator teacher at NDSU with the advent of the School's Alive Program and the Home School PE program that she coordinates. Schools Alive has been well received in the Fargo/Moorhead area and Jenny and her colleagues have been recognized throughout the state and nationally. In addition to these two service programs, Jenny also developed NDSU’s Undergraduate Health and Physical Education Pedagogy Lab. Jenny is an excellent instructor in all of the courses she teaches, and it shows in the relationships that she has with other professors as well as the students. |
| 2015 College University Health Education TOY-Kristin Hahne North Dakota State University- Fargo | Kristen is a professor at NDSU and teaches health education courses, to undergraduate students. Kristen is an amazing teacher and it shows through her students and for the Gunkleman award, the honor recognizes an employee of NDSU who has made the most significant and unselfish contributions to creating a happy environment for the enjoyment of NDSU students. The students are excited about Health Education because she makes it interesting, practical, and hands on. The students really respect her dedication to Health Education too because she has taught both Health Education and Physical Education in the public schools. She is always eager to volunteer to try new things or to help the students outside of class. Kristin is a very positive and inspirational colleague and is highly respected. |
| 2015 Honor Award- Nicole Lindgren Minot High School- Minot | Nikki currently teaches Physical Education and Health at Minot High School. Nikki has been on the NDSHAPE board for 10 years starting out as a student member in college and has served a variety of positions, including president. Nikki has also served on the CDSHAPE board for 4 years, and received a Presidential Citation from The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) in 2012. Nikki is always willing to serve the state and our field in any capacity necessary and is very deserving of the Honor Award. |
