PHE Canada is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 National Award recipients and recognize their commitment to physical and health education. We congratulate all of the award recipients for their quality work, passion for the field, as well as their exemplary conduct and significant contributions to the PHE Community.
Lifetime Achievement Award
PHE Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the highest honours bestowed by PHE Canada. It is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary and lifelong dedication to the advancement of quality Physical Education, Health Education and/or healthy school practices across Canada.
This year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is:
Dr. Brent Bradford
Professor and Co-Chair of CUE’s Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Wellness
Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta
Dr. Brent Bradford is a highly dedicated and decorated educator helping to advance quality PHE and healthy school practices across Canada. Brent, a Full Professor (Education), inaugural Department Chair (Physical Education & Wellness), and Co-Founder/Co-Chair (Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Wellness) at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE), develops/teaches pre-service teacher and undergraduate PHE-related courses, along with CUE’s MEd ‘Leadership in Comprehensive School Health and Wellness’ course. Prior to his faculty appointment, Brent taught elementary/junior high school PHE (Edmonton Catholic School District; 2000-2009), Physical Education Teacher Education (University of Alberta; 2009-2014), and PHE-related courses at St. FX University and UBC-Okanagan.
Since 1999-2000, Brent has worked closely with PHE-related organizations (e.g., PHE Canada, HPEC, Ever Active Schools, Schools Come Alive, UNICEF, Alberta Learning/Education). For example, after establishing an Ever Active School as lead teacher (early-2000), Brent served on PHE Canada’s Board of Directors and various sub-committees: Website & Program Reviewer (Teach Resiliency Online Teacher Resource); Physical Education & Physical Literacy Advisory Board (Paralympic Fundamental Physical Literacy Resource, QDPE School Awards); and Conference Volunteer (National Conferences). Additionally, Brent has served as Editor (HPEC Runner Journal), Research Advisor (UNICEF Canada/Canadian Index of Well-Being Advisory Group), and President (Education Society of Edmonton).
Brent epitomizes professional ideals and truly embodies the spirit of this prestigious lifetime award. Congratulations, Dr. Brent Bradford.
PHE Canada Impact Award
This award honours an individual, group, or organization for their exemplary and unique contribution to Physical and Health Education and/or Healthy School Communities through the development of innovative resources, practices, pedagogy or research and has demonstrated results that show their transformative impact.
This year's PHE Canada Impact Award recipients are:
Dr. Wendy Barber
for the impressive development and growth of the Student Chapter at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Dr. Wendy Barber is a nationally recognized leader in health and physical education (HPE), with over 30 years of impactful contributions. As Associate Professor at Ontario Tech’s Faculty of Education, she designs experiential learning courses that help future teachers apply theory to practice.
As Chapter Advisor for Ontario Tech’s PHE Canada Student Chapter, she has played a key role in fostering leadership and well-being advocacy among teacher candidates.
Dr. Barber is a prolific scholar with over 100 publications, focusing on resilience, grit, flow, and Universal Design for Learning. She leads the PHEWISE Research Lab, promoting inclusive, evidence-based teacher development. Her 20+ year involvement with PHE Canada, including as a Research Council member and national presenter, highlights her ongoing influence on HPE education across Canada.
Tanya Woods
for her outstanding contributions to the Halton District School Board in the field of Health and Physical Education, and to the OASPHE - the Ontario Association for Support of Physical and Health Educators.
Tanya Woods is a dedicated advocate for Quality Health and Physical Education (HPE) and student well-being. As Co-Chair of OASPHE, she tirelessly lobbies for safe, inclusive, and effective HPE delivery across Ontario. Her leadership in the Meaningful PE project, in collaboration with Brock University, has fostered growth and mentorship among educators. Tanya’s contributions extend to extracurricular athletics, promoting fun and inclusivity for all students, which earned her the 2022 Doyle-Harkness Award from CIRA Ontario. Her passion, advocacy, and commitment continue to inspire educators and create lasting positive impacts within her school community and beyond.
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Ontario Schools Cricket Association
for their transformative impact and integration of cricket into the school environment.
The Ontario Schools Cricket Association (OSCA) has transformed physical education and youth engagement in Ontario schools by introducing cricket as a means to foster inclusivity, health, and community pride. OSCA’s innovative initiatives, such as the CricketEd Symposium and an online resource package for teachers, have made cricket accessible to diverse, underserved communities. In 2024, OSCA received the Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Innovation Award for uniting Brampton’s communities through cricket. Additionally, OSCA was a finalist in Charity Village’s 2023 nationwide contest for Best Volunteer Program, further recognizing its commitment to empowering youth through sport and promoting physical activity in schools.
Meaningful PE Research-Practice Collaboration
at Brock University, for their pedagogical innovation that has resulted from a collaboration between researchers and practicing teachers.
Meaningful PE is a pedagogical innovation that has resulted from a collaboration between researchers and practicing teachers. It began in 2013 with collaborators in Canada and Ireland, and now includes participants from North and South America, Europe, and Australia. The collaboration has provided evidence about the value of the Meaningful PE approach in providing teachers with a coherent language and set of pedagogical strategies to support the prioritization of meaningful experiences for students. Outcomes of Meaningful PE are evident in numerous research papers, policy documents, podcasts, blogs, and other materials that are being used by practitioners around the world.
National Award for Teaching Excellence in Physical and Health Education presented by Gopher
The PHE Canada National Award for Teaching Excellence in Physical and Health Education honours Canadian teachers at the elementary, middle, or secondary levels, who have an exceptional ability to motivate students to engage meaningfully in their journey through physical and/or health literacy with thoughtful and inspiring teaching practices and pedagogy, exemplifying high quality Physical and/or Health Education in Canada.
This year's National Award for Teaching Excellence in Physical and Health Education recipients are:
Diane Dow
from Tyndall Park School, Manitoba.
Diane Dow is a great example of leadership in the Manitoba Physical and Health Education community. Whether it is teaching her students in the gym, helping run the hot lunch program, mentoring other educators, or brainstorming new games to play in the gym, Diane continues to give her all to the school and community. Diane's commitment to professional development, innovative approach to teaching, dedication to student growth, make her a great asset to the field of education and a perfect candidate for this prestigious award.
Anthony Emanuele
from Elm Drive Public School, Ontario.
Anthony has been a successful teacher in many capacities throughout his many years in education. He is coming up on the last few years of his teaching career and deserves to be recognized for his continued dedication and passion for students' physical health and activity. He devotes countless hours of his own personal time to provide extra opportunities for our student population, many who are new to Canada, to explore physical activities and games. He is a positive, energetic educator who makes impacts every day in students' lives.
Scott Luck
from Central Middle School, Alberta.
Scott is an exceptional Physical Education teacher who creates inclusive, high-quality programs that cater to diverse student needs. He adapts lessons using translation tools, tactile clues, auditory signals, and specialized equipment, ensuring all students, including those with physical or social-emotional challenges, can participate. Scott also goes above and beyond to create and provide meaningful, innovative experiences for his students by offering daily intramurals, coaching extracurricular sports, driving the bus for, and supporting teams, he isn't coaching. He is instilling a lifelong love of physical activity, transforming his students' lives with his dedication and creative, adaptable teaching methods.
Rachel Roper
from W. H. Ballard School, Ontario.
Rachel Roper is a dedicated elementary teacher at W. H. Ballard School within the Hamilton- Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB). She is known for her student-centered approach, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Rachel is a mentor to her colleagues and delivers high-quality physical and health education programs, aligning with the Meaningful PE approach from Brock University. She also contributed to an HPE summer writing project, creating student-friendly materials. Her commitment to professional development and passion for education make her an outstanding educator and a valued member of the HWDSB community.
Davin Yu
from Alexander Stirling Public School, Ontario.
Davin Yu, a dedicated educator with over 21 years at Alexander Stirling Public School, has transformed physical and health education with his innovative, inclusive, and empathetic approach. He has led initiatives like Open Gym, intramurals, and community partnerships, fostering wellness and engagement, especially among marginalized students. His leadership earned the Gold Ophea Standards Award and inspired colleagues through professional development. Yu’s adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic and his unwavering commitment to student success have created a lasting legacy of resilience, healthy habits, and personal growth within his community.
Kanchana Madulaarchchi
from Kingsway College School, Ontario.
At a brand new school, Kanchana has brought the P.E program from the ground-up, as she has led a robust rowing-focused Phys. Ed course at the Senior School. Furthermore, she continues to lead excellent general HPE courses that puts students in active leadership roles that impact their communities. Furthermore, she engages students in co-constructed rubrics maximizing student engagement. She is a leader in HPE professional development as she has completed various NCCP modules in rugby and athletics. She has also completed coaching modules from World Rugby, and is working towards her coaching certifications from Athletics Ontario.
Dylan Irvine
from West Hants Education Centre, Nova Scotia.
Dylan has the unique ability to connect with, and plan for success with students of all types. Dylan has been instrumental in keeping WHEC true to its experiential nature. Every week we are embarking on Phys Ed electives, as well as 5-6 camping trips per academic year. Multiple times a month students work on collaborative games and team building skills with Dylan. Student attendance increases dramatically from student track records at our sister school, and students are genuinely happier to be here. As stated by students, WHEC is a life changing opportunity and that opportunity is made possible by Dylan.
About PHE Canada National Awards
The PHE Canada National Awards program recognizes those who exemplify excellence in our field and make an impact in their schools and communities. For more information, visit: https://phecanada.ca/awards-and-recognition
For media inquiries, please contact:
PHE Canada
(613) 523-1348
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