Caitlin Keegun of Meade High School and David Kellett of Maryland City Elementary School have been named Health Education Teacher of the Year and Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, respectively, by SHAPE Maryland.
The awards are given annually to teachers who, in addition to possessing outstanding teaching skills, are positive role models and exhibit the qualities of personal health and fitness their daily lives.
Keegun is in her ninth year of teaching and her fourth at Meade High School. She has had the opportunity to teach both Health and Physical Education and is currently the school’s health education content lead teacher, International Baccalaureate lead educator, a member of the AVID Site Team, and service-learning liaison.
“I want all my students to become confident, independent thinking communicators who have the knowledge and tools to lead healthy lives according to their beliefs and values,” Keegun said. “This goal drives me to provide an authentic and relevant health education curriculum. My students’ needs and desires are constantly changing; therefore, my teaching and lessons must constantly change.”
Said Meade High School Principal Frederick Rivers: “Ms. Keegun’s preparation and attention to detail are above reproach. She not only creates engaging lessons for her students, she genuinely cares about their mental health and well-being.”
This is Kellett’s eleventh year of teaching in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, all of which have been spent at Maryland City. He began his career teaching fifth grade and moved to physical education three years later.
Kellett leads Maryland City’s Wellness and Family Connections committees and is coordinator of the school’s 24 Club.
“This award is a reflection of the outstanding cultural arts team, extended staff, students, and families at Maryland City Elementary School as well as the incredible leadership of the AACPS health and physical education department,” Kellett said. “It is an absolute honor to be recognized as a representative of my Maryland City school community.”
Said Maryland City Elementary School Principal Laura Cooke: “Mr. Kellett exemplifies the kind of person and educator we should all strive to emulate. He is passionate, dedicated, sincere, and driven. He genuinely cares about our students, parents and faculty. He epitomizes the perfect physical education teacher, and we are so lucky to have him as a member our family.”
DISTINGUISHED FRIEND OF SHAPE MARYLAND AWARD
The organization has also bestowed its Distinguished Friend of SHAPE Maryland – recognizing a school or community leader who promotes, supports and advocates for health, physical education, recreation, dance, and/or athletics programs in school settings – upon Annapolis High School’s Mary Kay Connerton.
Connerton has taught in AACPS for 11 years and has been a pioneer for the wellness movement within the school system. A registered yoga instructor, she created the first physical education yoga and mindfulness elective course at the high school level for the county and a full-scale wellness program at Annapolis High School, where she serves as the school’s wellness coordinator.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be a recipient of this prestigious award because it has been my mission and vision to fuse wellness and education together to support the whole child.”
Said Annapolis High School Principal Patrick Gelinas: “During her time at Annapolis High School, Mary Kay Connerton’s innovative vision and energy have been integral in revolutionizing the way that our school, as well as AACPS, approaches wellness, mindfulness, and student and staff self-care. The scope of her work as Wellness Coordinator transcends all content areas, student groups and programs. The positive impact that she has had one the students and staff of Annapolis High School is immeasurable, and the entire Panther family is thrilled that she is receiving this honor from SHAPE Maryland.”
SIMON MCNEELY AWARDS
In addition to Kellett, Keegun and Connerton, SHAPE America also will honor two AACPS health and physical education teachers with awards reflecting their outstanding contributions to the teaching profession. Chelsea Hauswirth at Old Mill High School, Adam Felton at Marley Middle School, Keith Tremel at Central Elementary, Davidsonville Elementary and Windsor Farm Elementary and Katelyn Chiarello at Central Middle School received Simon McNeely awards from the organization.