Administrators’ Award: Must be an outstanding administrator who has been highly supportive of the efforts, goals and/or activities of TAHPERD and its membership.

Association Scholar: Be a member of TAHPERD. Have a scholarly record for at least 5 years. Be currently producing scholarly materials. Be a significant contributor to areas of concern. Be capable of communicating ideas and facts to groups with diverse interests. Be willing to assume the following responsibilities for a period of one year: Make a major presentation during the annual convention; Visit schools, speaking to professional and nonprofessional groups; Carry out similar assignments at the request of TAHPERD President and/or Executive Board.

Athletic Director of the Year Award: Shall have made a significant contribution within the field of athletic administration at the local, state, and national levels. Shall have used athletics to achieve progress in the social and cultural environment of the school and community. Shall have made a significant impact on the lives of students. Shall have received recognition as an athletic administrator. Must be a TAHPERD member. Must be a current SHAPE America member to be considered for the award at the national level.

Citation Award: The Association may show appreciation to exhibitors who have exhibited at TAHPERD conventions for a period of five (5) or more years.

Connie Hall Givens Coordinated School Health Award: This was established to honor the legacy of Connie Hall Givens and represent the influence she attributed to children’s health in Tennessee.  The candidate shall be a current representative of Coordinated School Health in Tennessee.

Dance Educator K-12 Award: Have major responsibility for teaching dance in grades K-12. Must be an elementary, middle, junior high or senior high teacher with a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. Teaches creatively and utilizes various methodologies. Must be a member of TAHPERD.

Dance Educator College/University: Have major responsibility for teaching dance at the college/university level. Must be a college or university instructor with a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. Serves as a positive role model. Teaches creatively and utilizes various methodologies. Presents a balanced and sequential curriculum. Assumes responsibility for professional growth. Must be a member of TAHPERD.

Health Education Professional Award: This award is given to a Health Education Professional of the Year Agency/Public/Community; Business/Industry/Workplace or Clinical/Medical/Patient. Must have 5 years experience in the category for which nominated. Does not need to be a member of TAHPERD or SHAPE America.  Attainment of a Health Education Professional of the Year in one category does not preclude the attainment of a subsequent award in a different category during another award cycle if the individual has practiced 5 years in the new category. Must have a minimum of 3 years membership in a health organization.

Health Education / Lifetime Wellness Teacher of the Year Award (K-12, College or University):  Be a member of TAHPERD. Be a certified licensed health education teacher, lifetime wellness teacher, or physical education teacher in K-12 or college/university.  Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in health education or lifetime wellness and have a current full-time teaching contract.

Honor Award: Be a member of the TAHPERD. Be of high moral character and personal integrity.  Exemplify the spirit of devoted service to the profession and has made an outstanding and noteworthy contribution to the advancement of health, physical education, recreation, dance, or related areas. Served professionally in school, college, or community programs for at least 10 years in Tennessee. Demonstrated leadership or meritorious contributions through 3 or more of the following categories: an officer or member of TAHPERD Executive Board; section chair for TAHPERD; officer of an allied organization; chair of a TAHPERD committee or committee work over 3 years or more in state, district or national HPERD association; make significant contributions in the profession (e.g. presentations promoting TAHPERD, systematic research and writings for professional publications, or outstanding original contributions to the profession.)

Honorary Member Award: Be engaged in a field or profession other than health, physical education, recreation, dance and related areas. Exhibit strong support for programs of health, physical education, recreation, and/or dance in public schools, colleges, or communities in the state of Tennessee OR be a former member of TAHPERD who has made significant contributions to the advancement of health, physical education, recreation, and dance and to TAHPERD but moved from the state prior to receiving an honor award.

Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart Award: Have a minimum of 5 years experience with the JRFH/HFH program as one of the following: event, coordinator, demonstration team coach, local or district coordinator, SHAPE America Steering Committee or Joint Task Force member. Serves as a positive role model. Assumes responsibility for professional growth within SHAPE America. Provides evidence of commitment to the JRFH/HFH Program. Is a current member of SHAPE America and has been a member for the past 3 years.

James E. Ward Future Professional Honor Award:  This award was established to recognize an outstanding Tennessee college or university student majoring in health, physical education, recreation, dance and/or related areas.  Must be a full-time student at the time the award is presented.  Be a current member of TAHPERD for the year nominated for the award.  Have declared a major in a field related to Health, Phyiscal Education, Recreation or dance.  Become a member of SHAPE America.

Life Fellow Award: Be retired from teaching or administration in the field of health, physical education, recreation, or dance in Tennessee. Be a past recipient of the Honor Award, the Association Scholar Award, or have served as President of TAHPERD. Have been an active member of TAHPERD for 20 years and continuously rendered meritorious service in health, physical education, recreation, or dance.  Be nominated by a TAHPERD member and recommended by the TAHPERD Awards Committee to the TAHPERD Executive Board.

Physical Education Teachers of the Year (Elementary, Middle, Secondary): Must be a member of TAHPERD. Must be a certified/licensed physical education teacher. Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in physical education and have a full-time teaching contract. Have a minimum of 60% of teaching responsibility in physical education class.  Complete the Physical Education Teacher of the Year application.

Pathfinder Award: Must be an SHAPE America member. Have made a significant contribution to girls and women in sport and in sport leadership in Tennessee.

Recreation Professional Award: Serves as a positive role model epitomizing the values and desired outcomes of recreation. Demonstrates enthusiasm for the recreation profession. Shows interest in and sensitivity to the needs of students, clients and fellow professionals. Utilizes various methodologies and implements creative, innovative, safe and effective courses/recreations programs. Assumes responsibility for professional growth and evidences professional commitment through membership and involvement in local, state and national recreation organizations.