The 2022 recipient of the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year Award is Bob Panariello
Bob received his bachelors from Ithaca College, his masters from Stony Brook University, is PD in Educational Administration from Long Island University. He recently retired as the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics from Bay Shore UFSD, after teaching for over 30 years. Bob has been an active member of the NYS AHPERD Suffolk Zone for over 20 years and has hosted the Suffolk Zone Elementary/Middle School Awards Program in years past, he volunteers at the Suffolk Zone Conference and participates at the Suffolk Zone Awards Dinner. Along with Bob’s own professional development, he provided professional development opportunities for his staff, including Implementation of Orienteering and Curriculum Mapping and Writing. He was a member of the district Wellness Alliance, the District Drug Education Awareness Task Force, the District Mental Health Committee responsible for the Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Implementation K-12. Bob conducted a needs assessment of K-12 PE and health programs to ensure alignment with NYS Standards and collaborated with the office of Instructional Services to ensure compliance with the NYS Department of Health policies and developed SLOs for K-12 PE and Health Teachers. He takes pride in the Bay Shore program and as evidence of the strength of the program, 3 Bay Shore teachers have been awarded Teacher of the Year for the Suffolk Zone in the past 3 years. Bob’s professional membership include the National High School Coaches Association, National Wrestling Coaches Association, NYSAAA and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Bob has been honored with the Apple Award from the NYS AAA and the Administrator of the Year from the Suffolk County Wrestling Coaches Association. He has elected to the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. A colleague wrote, “Mr. Panariello is a caring, thoughtful and visionary Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. He promotes the success of every child and is aware of students’ contributions to the Bay Shore school-community.”
The 2020/21 recipient of the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year Award is Thomas Graham.
Thomas received his bachelors in Physical Education and his masters in Health Education from Adelphi University. He served the Lynbrook District as the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics. One of Tom’s priorities was educating students on drug addiction and the adverse health effects. He developed a drug education conference for schools and colleges, worked with County Government, Police, Drug treatment Centers, PTA, and social workers. He is also an integral part of the County Educational Task Force and is a Nassau County Heroin Task Force Member. His leadership expands into the Section VIII High School Athletic Association, he has been the past president, Vice President of Officials, By-laws committee member, ethics committee member, and a sportsmanship committee member. In service to NYS AHPERD he has been a Zone board member, COA Zone representative, the Nassau Zone President and the Coaches Section Present. He received the Nassau Zone Coaches Recognition Award, Nassau Zone Amazing Person Award, the New York State Coaches Association Amazing Person of the Year, Nassau County Athletic Director of the Year, the LIU Post Health and Physical Education Professional Service Award, among others. A colleague wrote, “There is no doubt Mr. Graham’s character is of the highest quality. He exemplifies what we educators feel is most important. We put kids first and ourselves last. We have come to rely on Mr. Graham in so many ways.” President Seymour, it is my honor to present to you the recipient of the Director of the Year, Thomas Graham.
The 2019 recipient of the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year Award is Carol Roseto.
Carol received her degrees from Hofstra University and Adelphi University. She has served the Rockville Centre Union Free Public Schools as director of physical education, health education, driver education and athletics for the past ten years. Carol was paramount in pursuing and executing a 1.37 million dollar Carol M. White Grant to improve the programs and facilities throughout the district. To her credit, high-tech sound systems were installed in gymnasiums district-wide, along with utilizing heart rate monitors throughout the K-12 curriculum, enabling physical education teachers to be data-driven and adapt their lessons accordingly. Carol worked with key stakeholders to pass a 46 million-dollar School Bond Project. This project included the building of a brand new fitness center, and the installation of two new turf fields to expand outside curriculum in the fall and spring. She created physical education and health education websites and a "shared" teacher folder, so teachers district-wide can communicate with parents or guardians and each other. Carol is currently the secretary for the state Council of Administrators, serves in numerous Section VIII Council of Administrators leadership positions and is Section VIII representative on the New York State Transgender Committee. She has received many professional awards, including Council of Administrators Section VIII Administrator of the Year, and Section VIII and Nassau County Physical Education Director of the Year. A colleague wrote, "Carol has laid the groundwork and changed the landscape of our physical education, health education and athletics programs that will be felt well into the future. Her incredible love for her students, teams and athletes, her concern for their safety and her enthusiasm are what set her apart. Carol is philanthropic with her time and is a master in the art of providing equity and a well-rounded education for all students." It is an honor to present the recipient of the 2019 Director of the Year, Carol Roseto.
The 2018 recipient of the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year Award is Dr. Tamela Ray.
Tam received her degrees from Ithaca College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, SUNY Cortland and Syracuse University. She has worked in the Auburn Enlarged City School District for 33 years, serving as the director of health, physical education and athletics for the past 23 years. Due to Tam's focus and determination, Auburn offers an elective physical education program at the high school. Students receive numerical grades counted in their overall GPA. Tam has implemented fitness testing allowing students to develop fitness goals, track their fitness levels and work on developing personal fitness plans. She secured a district "facilitator" to ensure health and physical education are represented with the other core subject areas as initiatives are developed. She wrote, received and implemented a $438 thousand dollar Carol M. White PEP Grant. Tam is currently president of Section III NYS Public High School Athletic Association, serves on numerous Section III committees, including Finance, Constitution & Handbook, and the Official's Negotiation Committee. In service to NYS AHPERD, Tam has held a number of leadership positions; this evening she begins her term as Association president. She has been recognized for her leadership with numerous awards, including the NYS AHPERD Professional of the Year Award, Council of Administrators Physical Education Director of the Year Award, Central North Zone Amazing Person, and Section III Service Award and Athletic Director of the Year Award. A colleague wrote, "Tam is an outstanding educator, leader and professional. She is dedicated to providing high quality experiences for the students of the Auburn Enlarged City School District, Section III and New York State. She performs her duties with the utmost integrity at all times. I am proud to have her as a trusted colleague, and I respect her immensely." President Garbarino, i is my honor to present to you the recipient of the 2018 Director of the Year, Dr. Tam Ray.
The 2017 recipient of the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year Award is Drew Walker.
Drew has been the director of health, physical education and athletics for 19 years at Hampton Bays Union Free School District. He was an integral part of the development of Hampton Bays successful physical education program. He was the driving force behind shaping their current curriculum, which offers 24 different activities at the high school. This program expansion was due to Drew's leadership and vision. Drew's priority is to ensure each student experiences highly effective instruction and understands the connection between physical activity and lifelong health and wellness. When his district was upgrading the school facilities, Drew was unwavering in his pursuit to make optimum use of the outdoor court space. He shared his insight and designs for the athletic complex that has now given the community a renewed sense of pride. Drew wears many hats in his district including, chairman of the Schoolwide Wellness Committee, and director of transportation and outside facilities. In service to NYS AHPERD at the zone level he served as president of Suffolk Zone, he was treasurer, chairperson for the Student Leadership Awards ceremonies, and organized two Suffolk Zone conferences. Drew is also a long time supportive member of the Council of Administrators. A colleague states, "Drew is an inspiration to those like me, who seek out his mentorship, feed off his passion, and appreciate his soft-spoken demeanor and knowledge. He has distinguished himself by his hard work and his ability to motivate and support his teachers. He is their biggest champion." President Wolfe, it is my honor to present to you the recipient of the Council of Administrators Director of the Year Award, Drew Walker.