A Greeley-Evans School District adapted physical education teacher was recently recognized by a professional organization for physical education teachers as a regional teacher of the year.
Judy Smaic, in her 17th year in District 6, was named an adapted physical teacher of the year for a nine-state area designated by SHAPE America, the Society of Health and Physical Educators that represents more than 200,000 health and physical education professionals in the U.S.
Smaic officially was honored as the SHAPE America Central District teacher of the year, a region for Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
“It’s really a great honor to receive this award,” Smaic said. “Basically it’s because of the students and families I work with and the special education community. Kudos to them. That’s part of me getting the award, and I work with great people. Nothing is ever done alone and I thoroughly believe it takes a community to educate students.”
Three years ago, Smaic — who has more than three decades of teaching experience — was named the SHAPE Colorado Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Smaic was nominated for the state award by District 6 colleague Kelly Kennedy, who was the SHAPE Central District Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Because of the state award, Smaic was then eligible to apply for the SHAPE district honor. As part of the application process, Smaic said she needed nominations from three people and write an essay on her work.
Congrats to Judy Smaic from Greeley-Evans School District, Colorado! SHAPE America Central District
2021 Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year – AWESOMENESS!!@SHAPE_Colorado @SHAPEAmericaCD @GreeleyTribune @greeleyschools https://t.co/prW46GwKsu— Bryan Wickoren (@blwickoren) November 21, 2020
Smaic said she wrote about teaching in District 6, where she and her adapted physical education colleagues “provide a diverse physical education program” for the students. Smaic said the diversity includes working with high school students in community-based activities, where the students and staff reach out to other segments of the population.
The diversity also includes Smaic and other teachers working with students who have different needs, such as autism, intellectual and physical challenges and unified sports.
“It’s important because one of my passions is to get kids to enjoy movement and that starts when they’re young,” Smaic said. “By the time they’re older, they can be involved with same-age peers in an inclusive setting. Movement and fitness should be fun.”
SHAPE America honored teachers in six different categories: adapted physical education, dance education, health education, elementary physical education, middle school physical education and high school physical education.
Recognized with Smaic in the adapted physical education category were: Eric Kohl from Rochester, New York in the eastern district and Eileen Tirado from West Palm Beach, Florida in the southern district.
