CCSD Educator Wins Top State Honor For Teaching Physical Education

Press release from CCSD:

Dec. 1, 2022

A Cherokee County School District educator earned a top state honor for teaching physical education!

Amy Aenchbacher, a CCSD adaptive PE specialist, was presented with the Georgia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (GAHPERD) Kim Thompson Honor Award at its annual conference in November.

The award is the highest honor bestowed by the association and is only presented when a member’s contributions to the profession and colleagues and service to the organization have been “exemplary, sustaining and far-reaching.” Recipients additionally must be considered by their colleagues as a positive role model and have held leadership positions in the association, presented at state conferences and/or been published in state publications.

“It’s impossible to fully measure the lasting positive impact that Amy has made on the lives of the students she has served,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “This award reminds us of how truly amazing Amy is and how fortunate we are that she chose to work with our students with special needs for so many years. We’re proud of all that she has accomplished and congratulate her on this well-earned honor.”

Ms. Aenchbacher, who is retiring later this month after a long and successful career in PE and Special Education, in addition to her role with CCSD also serves as co-coordinator of the Cherokee County Special Olympics. She shares that volunteer role with her husband, Dave Martinez, who also is retiring this month from his longtime role as a CCSD adaptive PE specialist.

Among her many professional honors, Ms. Aenchbacher previously was recognized by GAHPERD with the 2018 Georgia Recreation Specialist of the Year award and the 2010 Adapted Physical Educator of the Year award. She earned the 2015 BlazeSports Triumph of the Human Spirit Award, previously named the Georgia Disability Sports Awards, for her outstanding service to students with disabilities.

Her longtime record of community service also has been recognized with honors including the Lamar Haley Community Service Award presented by the Rotary Club of Canton, considered to be the top local award for exemplary volunteerism.

Ms. Aenchbacher has volunteered for many years to support her profession and colleagues through GAHPERD, serving as chair for different areas of service. She also has been published in state and national journals, is regularly called upon to present at state and national conferences and has taught courses for Kennesaw State University’s health and PE department. A graduate of KSU, Ms. Aenchbacher was a 2015 WellStar College of Health and Human Services Distinguished Alumni nominee. She earned her education specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University.

The Cherokee County School Board and Dr. Hightower will recognize Ms. Aenchbacher at the School Board’s December meeting.

This press release was produced by CCSD. The views expressed here are the author's own.