Aiello Named 2008 National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Rocco A. Aiello, a certified adapted physical education teacher serving students at Chopticon, Great Mills, and Leonardtown High Schools, has been named by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) as the 2008 National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding physical educators teaching adapted physical education to individuals with disabilities in programs for ages birth to adult.
Mr. Aiello was initially named Maryland Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year and subsequently chosen as the Eastern District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year. As District Teacher of the Year he was eligible for consideration as the National Teacher of the Year in competition with his peers from across the country.
In addition to working directly with students, Mr. Aiello acts as a resource to other physical education teachers in the system and is actively involved with community groups in preparing students with disabilities for an active lifestyle once they leave high school. Mr. Aiello has chaired the Maryland Consortium for teachers of adapted physical education and coordinated the adapted physical education program for the Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s Annual Convention. Mr. Aiello is known nationally for his writing on the roles of peer tutors and paraeducators, having contributed to several articles in professional periodicals and most recently in a book entitled “Paraeducators in Physical Education – A Training Guide to Roles and Responsibilities.”
Mr. Aiello teaches an adapted aquatics program through the Department of Recreation and Parks and is a strong supporter of St. Mary’s County Special Olympics. He is also a member of the Commission on People with Disabilities.
Mr. Aiello will receive this prestigious award on April 10, 2008 at the AAHPERD’s National Convention and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jennifer Henderson Receives NISOA High School Merit Award
Ms. Jennifer Henderson, physical education teacher and head girls’ soccer coach at Leonardtown High School, recently won the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association High School Merit Award.
This award is presented annually to a high school coach who promotes the sport of soccer and the ideals of sportsmanship. Ms. Henderson received the award Jan. 18, at a breakfast held during the NISOA convention in Baltimore.
During the 2007 season, the Leonardtown High School Lady Raiders entered the state tournament as the number two seed and advanced to the regional final game where they lost to Severna Park 1-0 in overtime. The team’s record for the year was 14-3.
Ms. Henderson has led the team to the Class 4A State Title in 2006, and the Class 3A Championship in 1998.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association has recently introduced an initiative entitled “Respect the Game,” the fundamental objective of which is teaching and living good sportsmanship.