Ryan McKinney ('07), an alumnus of the physical education teacher education (PETE) program, was recently recognized by SHAPE America as the National Middle School PE Teacher of the Year. 

McKinney says he was honored to receive the award. "It has opened up a lot of doors to travel to many places and meet many great people in the education field."

A physical education teacher for 17 years, he has worked for the last 9 years at Spooner Middle School in Wisconsin. He is passionate about using outdoor physical activity to help students with attention challenges find academic and behavioral success. He was recently featured on an episode of the PE Huddle podcast, "Enhancing PE Experiences Through Outdoor Education." 

McKinney speaks fondly of the UMD PETE program. "I had a great start to my teaching career thanks to professors and practicum teachers from UMD that I still keep in contact with to this day."

SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America is the primary professional organization that supports health and physical education educators and advocates for school health and physical education in the United States.