Section Leadership
Darren Phillips
President
Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Wellness
Southampton School District
Suffolk Zone
Contact Darren
Jason Lehmbeck
Past President
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics
Clarence Central School District
Western Zone
Contact Jason!
Tilsa Rodriguez-Gonzalez
President-elect
Supervisor of Health & Physical Education
City District of New Rochelle
Southeastern Zone
Contact Tilsa!
Michael Morgan
Secretary
Director of Physical Education and Athletics
Watertown City School District
Northern Zone
Contact Michael!
Michael Gordon
Treasurer
Bell Auto School Driving Instructor, Adelphi University Supervisor of Student Teachers, Modified Boys & Girls Tennis Coordinator
Nassau Zone
Contact Michael!
COA Mission Statement
The Council of Administrators (COA) promotes high standards of administrative leadership in the disciplines of health and physical education. The Council of Administrators offers inspiring, creative and empowering leadership opportunities that enhance student physical, social & psychological development. These opportunities also encourage excellence in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and instructional strategies. Health and Physical Education programs ultimately provide a strong foundation enabling students to achieve at higher levels academically and recognize the importance of health-related physical fitness.
COA Constitution & Bylaws
The Council of Administrators Section was Chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 1964. The constitution and bylaws were last revised in 2016
COA Awards
The Council of Administrators Section recognizes excellence among our dedicated professionals with our COA Special Service Award, Ellis H. Champlin Award and Zone Awards. The Director of the Year Award is now given by NYS AHPERD.
COA Resources
The Council of Administrators Section has developed several resources for our members.
Updated version coming soon
Our goals include:
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- Providing professional opportunities for leadership development.
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- Advocating for quality health and physical education programs.
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- Promoting research that supports the positive role our discipline plays providing the knowledge and experience necessary to live a productive and healthy life.
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- Supporting and encouraging enhancements in health education and physical education curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies ensuring positive outcomes for all New York State students.
President 2026 COA Goals:
- Continue to increase COA Membership and attendance at COA conference, by attending NYS Superintendent conference in September and attending Section meetings to promote the conference and emphasize the value of the COA and the professional development opportunities and advocacy for PE & Health programs.
- Create a COA Conference Committee
- Create a year round Professional Learning Series for COA members, which would offer presentations and round table discussion on various topics in Physical Education and Health.
- Create a Quality Program Assessment or Components of a Highly Effective Physical Education Program. Using the PECAT and HECAT schools can submit documentation to determine if the school earns the designation of School of Excellence in Physical Education and Health with COA President recognizing the District with a Banner as an exemplar program.
- Create a separate COA website
- Annual summer COA meeting with Executive Board and COA Zone presidents and coordinators.
Send out to all COA members descriptions of COA awards with the criteria for each award and to create rubrics for awards to determine recipients.
Finish update up the Director’s of PE & Health resource digital handbook and the COA President’s Manual.