UH Manoa Emeritus Professor Receives National Recognition for Efforts in Promoting Physical Education

Delores M. Curtis, emeritus professor of Education at UH Mānoa, was honored earlier this month in Philadelphia by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) with the "Joy of Effort" Award.

According to NASPE President Kim Graber, "This award is given in recognition of those individuals who, by performance and style, have personified the concept that the effort made to enrich the goals and objectives of physical education and sport as a labor of love, inspired by commitment and dedication."

The award was presented at NASPE‘s Hall of Fame Banquet where the National Physical Education Teachers of the Year for Elementary, Middle and Secondary Schools‘ as well as the Athletic Director of the Year Award, were announced. In addition, tennis great Billie Jean King was inducted into the NASPE Hall of Fame.

For over 50 years, Curtis has labored to enrich the goals and objectives of the physical education profession through her career as a public school teacher, administrator and university teacher-trainer. Additionally, her extensive service to the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) through her work with the Southwest District and the Hawaiʻi State AHPERD affiliates demonstrates her commitment and dedication to her profession. Over the years, she has served as Southwest District President, President of the Hawaiʻi State AHPERD for two terms, as well as in every facet of leadership from officer to membership chairperson to newsletter editor.

While at UH, Curtis secured grants for the improvement of physical education teacher training videos, published research findings involving physical activity and Hawaiian children, and worked closely with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education in developing physical education curriculum for elementary school-aged children.

An author, she has written "Educating Children for Movement," "A Curriculum Guide for Early Childhood Education," and "Organizational Patterns for Instruction in Physical Education." Among her numerous awards, she has received the Honor Award from both the Hawaiʻi State AHPERD and Southwest District, as well as the Eleanor St. John Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana State University.

Curtis completed her undergraduate work at Indiana State Teachers College, and received her master‘s degree and doctorate from the University of Illinois.

Information about NASPE can be found on the Internet at www.aahperd.org. NASPE is the largest of AAHPERD‘s six national associations. A nonprofit membership organization of over 18,000 professionals in the fitness and physical activity fields, NASPE is the only national association dedicated to strengthening basic knowledge about sport and physical education among professionals and the general public.