North County High School dance teacher Chase Haglund has been named Dance Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD).
Haglund, who is in her fifth year as a teacher and director of the Dance Company at North County, is the second AACPS teacher to win the award in the last three years. Annapolis High School’s Jillian Barber won it in 2013.
The award is given annually to a teacher who, in addition to possessing outstanding teaching skills, is a positive role model and exhibits the qualities of personal health and fitness in his or her daily life.
“My love for dance started in this county as a member of Broadneck High School’s Dance Company under the direction of Melissa Bell. When it came time to think about my future, I thought about how amazing it would be to give other students the same experience and joy that I had been given,” Haglund said. “I cannot thank those enough that have continued to believe and support me throughout the years: my family; friends; fellow dance teachers; the staff and administration at North County; my students and their parents; Health, Physical Education, and Dance Coordinator Christiana Grue-Walsh; previous coordinator Skip Lee; and the person responsible for the outstanding program this county has, Dance Consultant Judi Fey. The award recognizes this array of passionate people and many more that help continue to provide the gift of dance in Anne Arundel County.”
Haglund received MAHPERD’s Simon McNeely Award for outstanding contributions to the profession in 2013.
“Chase is one of the most dedicated, hard-working, and enthusiastic teachers I have worked with,” said Fey, who oversees the school system’s dance program. “She cares deeply about her dancers and goes above and beyond to create a professional fine arts dance program for North County High School.
Two other AACPS dance educators – Marina Thompson of Southern Middle School and Jenny Mossburg of Arundel Middle School – are receiving Simon McNeely awards this year.
MAHPERD’s vision is to become a leading organization that promotes and supports healthier, more creative, and more active Maryland citizens by advocating and promoting personal wellness and healthier lifestyles through educational and community programs.
Haglund, Thompson, and Mossburg will receive their awards at the MAHPERD convention in Hunt Valley on October 16.