Franklin Pierce Teacher Honored as Northwest District
High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year

RESTON, VA, March 8, 2017 — Roy, WA, resident Kim Jackson of Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma will be honored as the Northwest District High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators at its 132nd National Convention & Expo in Boston, March 14-18.

SHAPE America’s Northwest District represents five states from Idaho to Alaska. The award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance at the high school level and the ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. 

Jackson, a physical education teacher at Franklin Pierce High School for the past 23 years, will vie with four other district winners for the distinguished honor of National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. At the convention, SHAPE America and Sportime featuring SPARK — innovators of equipment and evidence-based programs for physical educators — will celebrate the 28th anniversary of this Teacher of the Year awards collaboration.

The National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year award recipient will be announced on Friday, March 17 at the SHAPE America Hall of Fame Banquet, sponsored by Human Kinetics, an employee-owned company committed to serving the physical activity field, and Sportime featuring SPARK. USA Today National Sports Columnist Christine Brennan will be inducted into the SHAPE America Hall of Fame that evening.

“Kim is sincerely dedicated to implementing a comprehensive school physical activity program promoting effective physical education, before- and after-school physical activity, brain boosters during the school day, staff involvement, and family and community engagement,” says Lisa Rakoz, supervisor, health and fitness education, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Her expectations for the students are tremendously high and she gains students’ respect.”

Jackson’s classes include students of all skill levels. Through technology, she is able to differentiate her lessons and modify activities for students with injuries, mobility issues, or disabilities.

“My school has allowed me to include all of our special education students in my general education classes, rather than a separate adapted class,” says Jackson. “This has been an incredibly positive experience for both my special needs students and my general education students. Practicing our Core Beliefs within our class encourages students to use this positive behavior outside of school.”

Outside the classroom, Jackson has been a member of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Health and Fitness Cadre for nine years, serving as part of the committee involved in implementing Common Core State Standards into physical education standards and classrooms.

Jackson’s professional affiliations include SHAPE America and SHAPE Washington. She is affiliated with and supports the Fuel Up to Play 60 program in her school, and is also a National Board Certified Teacher in Physical Education/Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood.

She received her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree in educational technology from City University.

For more information about the 2017 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, visit the website at shapeamerica.org/convention and follow #SHAPEBoston.

About SHAPE America

SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs.

SHAPE America has 50 state affiliates and is a founding partner of national initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let’s Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. “50 Million Strong by 2029” is our commitment to empower all children to lead healthy and active lives through effective health and physical education programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.