An elementary school teacher who has been a passionate advocate and promoter of quality daily physical education throughout his teaching career has been recognized by the Saskatchewan Physical Education Association.
Lynden Proctor, a teacher at École River Heights School, is the 2020 recipient of the Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) Professional of the Year Award.
"Lynden is a true leader in the area of QDPE," SPEA said in its announcement. "He is an excellent candidate and well deserving of this award and acknowledgement. Lynden is an excellent role model for his students and fellow staff. He lives an active lifestyle and he is a lifelong active learner who is always engaged in his students learning because of his responsive teaching style."
The award recognizes individuals who work within an existing QDPE school, are involved with QDPE implementation, have a physically active lifestyle and are actively involved in the promotion of QDPE at the local, divisional and provincial levels.
Proctor, who is also a member of SPEA's board of directors, brings a collaborative and inclusive approach to his work as an educator and advocate of quality physical education.
"He is truly a reflective practitioner who advocates for inclusion, fair play, social justice, and equity for all students. His work in this area has had a profound effect on the way he teaches and mentors his students through physical education."
In addition, SPEA recognized the work of Saskatoon Public Schools' Move To Grow campaign by selecting it as the recipient of the Local Initiative Award winner for 2020.
Launched in the fall of 2018, the goal of Move to Grow is to encourage students and families to pursue active transportation options (human-powered methods of travel) such as walking or cycling for travelling to and from school. In schools, the campaign focuses on education to help students understand how they can safely travel to and from school. Students learn that an active life offers physical benefits and also has a positive effect in improving independence, mindset, and mental health.
