FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Central Missouri Professor to be Nationally Recognized With Joy of Effort Award
RESTON, VA, March 7, 2018 —Dennis Docheff, professor, Department of Nutrition & Kinesiology; University of Central Missouri; Warrensburg, MO, will be recognized with the Joy of Effort award by SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators, officials announced today. Given in recognition of his distinguished service, dedication, and commitment to improving physical activity, the Joy of Effort Award, designed by sculptor R. Tait McKenzie, will be presented during the organization’s 133rd National Convention & Expo in Nashville, TN.
Docheff will be honored during the Hall of Fame Banque on Friday, March 23, during which SHAPE America will also recognize its National Physical Education Teachers of the Year for elementary, middle and high school and National Teachers of the Year for adapted physical education, dance and health. The SHAPE America Hall of Fame Banquet is sponsored by Sportime, featuring SPARK, a category of School Specialty, Inc., and Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
According to SHAPE America President Fran Cleland of West Chester University, “this award honors an individual who exemplifies the highest standards in accomplishment, innovation, and leadership. As a teacher and presenter, Dennis Docheff is a master educator. He is always well prepared, tells stories that support the theme of the lesson and engages his students in each topic. His joyful, happy, laid back, positive, encouraging attitude, places students at ease and thus, empowers students to believe in themselves.”
An educator since 1978, his experience includes being a classroom teacher (5th and 6th grades), teaching a variety of subjects (physical education, social studies, math and art) at the middle and high school levels, and teaching physical education at five different colleges and/or universities. He has also filled the role of elementary principal, junior high athletic director, high school counselor, and college department chair. His coaching experience includes positions in football, basketball, track & field, volleyball, golf, and fencing.
Among some of his career highlights, Docheff completed a three-year teaching stint at the United States Military Academy at West Point; served on the SHAPE America Board of Directors, president of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), president for SHAPE America - Central District, and received both the SHAPE America Honor and Central District Mark Harvey Legacy Recognition Awards. A member of SHAPE America since 1985, he has been involved in a number of projects; one of his favorites was serving on the revision team for the National Standards for Sport Coaches.
In addition to serving on boards, councils, and committees for SHAPE America and the Central District, Docheff has enjoyed serving on three different state AHPERD boards (Washington, New York, and Missouri). Dennis has well over 100+ publications and 200+ presentations.
Docheff received both his B.A. in physical education and his M.Ed. in school administration from Whitworth College and his Ed.D. from the University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, in physical education--curriculum and administration.
For more information about SHAPE America’s National Convention & Expo, visit the website and follow the hashtag #SHAPENashville.
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs.
SHAPE America has 50 state affiliates and is a founding partner of national initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Active Schools (formerly Let’s Move! Active Schools) and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. “50 Million Strong by 2029” is our commitment to put all children on the path to health and physical literacy through effective health and physical education programs. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.