Student Leadership Awards
Senior High School Awards
The Suffolk Zone is proud to honor two individuals from each submitting school districts current graduating class who meet the following selection criteria for Outstanding Health & Physical Education Achievement.
Click here to watch the 2021-2022 award recipient slideshow.
Selection Criteria
Elementary/Middle School Awards
The Suffolk Zone is proud to recognize two individuals from each elementary (Grade 5) and middle school (Grade 8) in Suffolk County for his/her outstanding performance in the physical education program. Additionally, one boy and one girl who is physically challenged may also be recognized.
Nominations are open to all elementary and middle schools in Suffolk County. Award certificates are presented during an award ceremony each spring.
The nominating teacher and Physical Education Director must be current members of NYS AHPERD.
Selection Criteria and Award Application
Suffolk Zone Teacher of the Year, Physical Education Director Recognition Award and Future Professionals Award
The Suffolk Zone of NYS AHPERD is proud to sponsor an Awards Program to recognize the professional contributions of our colleagues. To be eligible for one of these Awards, nominees must be a current member of NYS AHPERD and either live or work in Suffolk County. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 1st.
We invite you to nominate a deserving colleague today.
Click here for a google form to submit your nomination online.
Click here to save a form and send it via email or USPS.
Suffolk Zone award recipients are recognized at the Suffolk Zone Conference and the Zone Awards Dinner
Award details
Our 2023 Professional Awards were presented on January 19, 2023 at the West Sayville Country Club.
Award History
2022 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Jeanne LaLima, Three Villages ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Peter Cafiso, Sachem ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Suzanne Goumba, Brentwood ~ High School Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jennifer Dobbs, Bay Shore ~ Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Kerry Diana, three Villages ~ Elementary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jodi Maurici, Sayville ~ Middle School Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Siobhan Cully, Sachem ~ High School Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Mara Manson, Adelphi University ~ Higher Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Ryan Cox, Patchogue-Medford ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Jared Rago, SUNY Cortland ~ Future Professional Award
-
- Kevin Scott, Center Moriches ~ Exercise & Sport Science Recognition Award
-
- Justin Hertz, Connetquot ~ Amazing Person Award
2021 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Carrie Miller, Harborfields ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Colleen McKillop, Smithtown ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Alaina Bennett, Connetquot ~ High School Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Nicole Alesi, William Floyd ~ Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jennifer Champagne, Suffolk CC & Nassau CC ~ Higher Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Darren Phillips, Southampton ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Stephanie Peragall, Adelphi University ~ Future Professional Award
2020 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Ed Noll, William Floyd ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jill Pickus, Bay Shore ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Kathleen M. Peterson, Bay Shore ~ High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Patricia Gremillion-Burdge , Adelphi U, Western Suffolk BOCES ~ Higher Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Bob Panariello, Bay Shore ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Doug Iadanza , Cortland ~ Future Professional Award
-
- Matthew "Dezy" DiStefano, (posthumously), Sachem ~ Amazing Person
2019 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Michael Oldis, Connetquot ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Tara West, Connetquot ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Ted Nagengast, Bay Shore ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Leslie Sewell, Connetquot ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Lea Bryant, East Hampton ~ Elementary/Middle School Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Joseph Mercado, Middle Country ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Vincenzo Battaglia, Adelphi ~ Future Professional Award
-
- Dr. Jim Wright, South Huntington ~ Amazing Person
2018 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Kerry Hogan, South Country ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Mariuz Borkowski, Bay Shore ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jefferson Cipp, Longwood ~ Adaptive Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Lois Kahl, Suffolk CC, Adelphi U., St. John's U. ~ Higher Education Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Patrick Murphy, Half Hollow Hills ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Patricia Broderick ~ Secondary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Desi Yordanova, Huntington/Adelphi U. ~ Future Professional Award
-
- Vincent Altebrando, South Huntington ~ Amazing Person
-
- Shawn Dillon, Longwood ~ Recreation/Adventure Amazing Person
2017 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Elizabeth Bolger, Sayville ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Steve Meyers, Bridgehampton ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Christian Pisano, Central Islip ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Brian Tenety, Southampton ~ Adaptive Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Dr. Allecia McLeod, Central Islip ~ Secondary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Drew Walker, Hampton Bays ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- David O'Keefe, Dowling College ~ Future Professional Award
2016 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Robert Defichy, Patchogue-Medford ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Gina Antonelli, West Babylon ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Larry Phillips, Central Islip ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Erin Kelly, Dowling College ~ Future Professional Award
2015 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Lynn Hefele, Huntington ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year & NYS AHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Nancy O'Donnell, Babylon ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Andrea Drost, Amityville ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Mike Gibbons, Half Hollow Hills ~ Adaptive Physical Education Teacher of the Year & NYS AHPERD Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Jennifer Champagne, SUNY Stony Brook/St. Joseph.s College/Half Hollow Hills ~Aquatics Teacher of the Year
-
- Kristina Bittner, Lindenhurst ~ Elementary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Diane Miller, Sachem ~ Secondary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Bill Groth, Riverhead ~ Physical Education and Health Director Recognition Award
-
- Maryann Hamilton, The College at Brockport & Adelphi ~ Higher Education Award
-
- Alexandra Marshall, The College at Brockport ~ Future Professional Award
2013 Suffolk Zone Award Recipients
-
- Frank Mancuso, Hampton Bays ~ Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Janine Wagner, Smithtown ~ Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Helen Flynn, Smithtown ~ Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Peter McNeill, Sachem ~ Adaptive Physical Education Teacher of the Year
-
- Lori Hewlett, Sachem ~ Secondary Health Education Teacher of the Year
-
- John Valente, Harborfields ~ Physical Education Director Recognition Award
-
- Elizabeth Tomlet, Suffolk County Community College ~ Higher Education Award
-
- James Cundari, SUNY Cortland ~ Future Professional Award
Suffolk Zone Amazing People Award Recipients
