Physical education faculty member is statewide teacher of the year

Connie Pangrazi, assistant dean of ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, has been named 2012 Outstanding College/University Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AzAHPERD). Pangrazi received the award during the association’s Annual State Convention.

AzAHPERD works to promote healthful lifestyles through quality education for diverse populations and provide leadership to school, community and statewide programs in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance and other movement-related programs.

“I was thrilled to be recognized with this award,” Pangrazi said. “I am honored to teach an amazing group of future teacher professionals. They make me look good. Based upon their commitment and excellence I am confident that future generations will be well-educated, active and healthy.”

“Connie consistently exhibits passion and energy for children’s physical education and helping prospective physical educators,” said Hans van der Mars, professor and director of the Teachers College physical education program.

“Connie is first and foremost a terrific role model as a teacher. She has high expectations and she knows her curriculum model inside and out,” van der Mars said. “What is less visible to most people is that Connie is like a director of a philharmonic orchestra in how she does so many things behind the scenes to make sure that the students’ and program’s needs are met.”

Teachers College offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education on ASU’s Polytechnic campus, as well as a doctoral program with an emphasis in physical education teacher education and sport pedagogy.

The bachelor’s degree program is unique in its practice-oriented focus on intensive field experiences, practical application of current knowledge, and a field-tested and widely used curriculum and classroom management model. The curriculum directly aligns with Arizona’s standards for teachers and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's beginning teacher standards.

Upon graduation, physical education majors are certified to teach physical education in grades K-12. Past graduates have gone on to become physical education or health teachers and coaches, or they find employment in related fields in sports and recreation.

Among the Teachers College master’s degree options is a program leading to teacher certification for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field who desire to make a career change to teaching physical education.

A recreation center scheduled to open in early 2013 on the Polytechnic campus will give students interested in physical education the opportunity for career-related student employment in a new facility.

For more information about the bachelor’s degree program in physical education in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, visit http://education.asu.edu/programs/view/bachelor-of-arts-in-education-for-physical-education. Information about master’s degrees is at http://education.asu.edu/programs/view/master-of-physical-education-mpe, and details about the doctoral program may be found at http://education.asu.edu/programs/view/doctor-of-philosophy-in-learning-literacies-and-technologies.