Oregon SHAPE

Oregon SHAPE’s State Teacher of the Year program would like to honor excellence in our profession by recognizing two outstanding teachers!

Elementary Teachers of the Year

• Brack Hassell, Cascade Locks and Parkdale Elementary Schools, Hood River County School District
• Jordan Ng, West Powellhurst Elementary School, David Douglas School District

The Teacher of the Year awards are given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. These individuals were honored during the 2019 Oregon SHAPE Conference in Bend on October 11 & 12. 

Brack Hassell
Cascade Locks Elementary School
Parkdale Elementary School
Hood River School District

Brack Hassell is in his tenth year of teaching elementary physical education and his fourth year at Cascade Locks and Parkdale elementary schools in the Hood River County School District.  Brack is an active member of his community who creates a very positive, encouraging, and safe classroom environment where students feel comfortable trying new things and where mistakes are part of the learning process. His principal, Gus Hedberg, feels he really excels at helping kids feel successful because of how thoughtful he is about his lesson design and planning which includes non-traditional physical activities such as paddle boarding and skateboarding. His influence does not stop inside his gym classroom, as Brack is an important part of his school staff where he coaches teachers in staff meetings on how to provide physical activity “brain boosts” that can be used inside the classroom.  He also partners with his PTO on a number of things. Says Hedberg, “Brack is a master PE teacher, he is an incredibly hard-working and humble individual.  He is a leader in his school in many ways and his presence makes all of us better.”

Jordan Ng
West Powellhurst Elementary School
David Douglas School District

Jordan Ng’s goal since he began teaching 13 years ago at West Powellhurst Elementary School in the David Douglas School District has been to educate and inspire all students to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. His principal, Susan Olds, notes that he holds to the principles of quality physical education instruction that supports PE standards and is engaging for all kids.  Social and emotional learning is a cornerstone of Jordan’s teaching practice.  He utilizes the John Wooden Pyramid of Success, is encouraging and works to connect with all students in his school’s very diverse community.  He is sought out by university professors every year when they ask to place student teachers under Jordan’s direction and mentorship. Ng is also a leader for health and wellness at the district level.  He has led and been a member of the West Powellhurst school’s Wellness Committee. Says Olds, “Jordan is on the District Wellness Committee and works with other district professionals to bring activities and ideas to every school in our district to support staff health and wellness.  Jordan has a deep devotion to ensuring that our staff understands how to take care of themselves both physically and emotionally.”

New Exciting Opportunity!

Are you interested in doing archery at your school? You will now have the opportunity to learn how to make this happen at our pre-conference workshop on Friday, October 11 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We have limited spots available, so make sure to register today! Deadline to register is Friday, October 4. 

Why Archery?

Studies show that archery improves student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance, and focus. It is also great for students that aren’t involved with other school sports.

NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) is an in-school archery program for students in grades 4th- 12th. The archery curriculum was written by education, conservation, and target archery experts to meet state and national educational standards. Currently, ODFW is providing both the certification training and equipment kits needed to start NASP® at no cost to Oregon schools. This includes the training needed to be an archery instructor and equipment including: bows, arrows, a back-stop curtain, targets, and a bow rack.

Archery is currently a growing sport here in Oregon, and each year more schools become involved in NASP®. NASP® is both an in-school and after-school activity. This means that competition and scholarship opportunities are growing as well. This past year we had over 9,000 students from 78 school participate in NASP®. At the State NASP® tournament ODFW was able to award $4,500 in scholarship prizes.

Learn More!

Want to learn more about how NASP® is run and some frequently asked questions? Check out the document!

Open up your calendars and book off Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 for the Annual Oregon SHAPE Conference! We will be hosting the conference in Bend, Oregon for one more year. The featured speakers and keynote will be announced in the coming weeks, so please check back soon!

The call for proposals is now LIVE and will close on Friday, June 21. Please get in your proposals as soon as you can so you do not miss the deadline at the end of the school year! 

To submit a proposal please fill in this form. 

Questions about the call for proposals or the conference? Want to be part of our amazing conference planning team? E-mail us at oregonshape@gmail.com.

The membership drive ends on April 8, so make sure to sign up today and reach out to your colleagues this week! Only one week left!

We created this great video showcasing a few of our members sharing why they are an Oregon SHAPE member. Check out the YouTube video below! 

Here is a quick recap of the great prizes you could be entered to win by signing up, and/or referring others during our membership drive!

1. All NEW members who join during our membership drive will be entered for a chance to win some sweet Oregon SHAPE swag, valued at over $50!
2. All new and current members who refer their colleagues will be entered in a raffle and have a chance to win some BIG PRIZE$!!
   • PRIZE ONE – $50 Visa Gift Card: Refer 1 person to be entered into this raffle (3 winners total).
   • PRIZE TWO – $250 Visa Gift Card: Refer 2 people to be entered into this raffle (1 winner).
   • GRAND PRIZE – $500 Visa Gift Card: Refer 3 or more people to be entered into this raffle (1 winner).

To learn more about the membership drive, click here!

Oregon SHAPE’s State Teacher of the Year program would like to honor excellence in our profession by recognizing three outstanding teachers!

Elementary Teachers of the Year

• Christy Wilson, Raleigh Park Elementary School, Beaverton School District
• Jordan Werner, Riverside Elementary School, Grants Pass School District 7

Middle School Teacher of the Year

• Todd Stoddard, Lake Ridge Junior High School, Lake Oswego School District

The Teacher of the Year awards are given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. These individuals were honored during the 2018 Oregon SHAPE Conference this past weekend in Bend. 

Meet our Teachers of the Year!

Christy Wilson
Raleigh Park Elementary School
Beaverton School District

Christy Wilson’s learning environment fosters inquiry and a joy of movement, two things Christy models daily. She is involved at her school on the leadership committee, at the district level as a member of the active student’s cadre developing classroom physical activity and spends time collaborating with PE colleagues around the nation researching best practice and new ways to engage her students. Her love of teaching evident daily and relationship with her students is number one. Christy is in her 17th year of teaching Physical Education and is currently teaching at Raleigh Park Elementary in the Beaverton School District.

Jordan Werner
Riverside Elementary School
Grants Pass School District

Jordan Werner may only be in his 6th year of teaching, but he has changed the way physical education is viewed at Riverside Elementary, Grants Pass School District and community. In his short time as a teacher, he has changed PE from a sports-only curriculum to one that is focused on physical literacy, positive social interaction, and cooperative learning. His PE program places an emphasis on individualized learning, cooperative learning, and physical literacy through a variety of different activities to ensure that every student finds something to value and enjoy throughout the year.

Todd Stoddard
Lakeridge Junior High School
Lake Oswego School District

Todd Stoddard has made a significant impact on the PE program at Lakeridge Junior High School in the Lake Oswego School District in just two years. Todd helps students identify activities that they enjoy doing that can be pursued outside of school and understand the importance of personal fitness. His program by guiding students through a wide variety of activities including less traditional ones like dancing and rock climbing. Tod has gained the full support of his administrators, parents, community members, students, and fellow staff members through various activities, including organizing after-school events, giving presentations, and creating personal relationships with stakeholders. Todd is in his 7th year of teaching.