SACRAMENTO—The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) named Cami Anderson, an adapted physical education teacher with the Butte County Office of Education, the California Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
This award recognizes outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of healthy activities. As a state winner, Anderson is now eligible to apply for SHAPE America’s Western District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award. Anderson will receive the award on Feb. 27 at the CAHPERD Conference in Oakland, CA.
“I’m super excited. I’m surrounded by great, supportive team members and admins that allow me to shine in my position,” Anderson said. “I’ve been trusted and allowed to grow our program with my team. Any ideas we come up with, anything outside the box, is supported because it’s student-centered. That’s the lifeforce of Adapted P.E.”
BCOE Deputy Superintendent Michelle Zevely described Anderson as someone who makes physical education accessible and engaging for every ability level. Rebecca Lytle, Professor Emeritus at California State University, Chico, described Anderson as being highly capable of unpacking standards appropriately to help students move toward grade level skills and functional abilities. Anderson received a bachelor’s degree in physical education teacher education from Chico State and a master’s degree in kinesiology/adapted physical education.
“I feel really fortunate to do the work I do and have it not feel like a job. It’s something that fills my soul,” Anderson said. “Everybody deserves an opportunity to learn how to move and have fun and learn how to be a lifelong mover using the abilities they have.”
About CAHPERD
The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD), founded in 1930, is a non-profit, voluntary membership corporation. It supports and promotes the organizing and progress of school, community and statewide programs of health, physical education, recreation and dance, which will embody such opportunities and which will ensure the inclusion of such programs within the most appropriate philosophical and social context of life in California. For more information, visit www.cahperd.org.
About the Butte County Office of Education
The Butte County Office of Education serves students, schools, and families across the region by providing high-quality educational programs, professional development, fiscal and administrative support, and countywide leadership. BCOE is committed to fostering opportunities that ensure every student can thrive academically, socially, and professionally.