On Friday, Oct. 17, Mary Kaye Roper will receive the PE Teacher of the Year award at the Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance annual convention in Towson. Roper was named 2008 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year for her work around the state and at her school, Hollywood Elementary.

Roper is being recognized for her work at both the county and state levels.  During the year, she participated in curriculum writing workshops helping draft the voluntary state curriculum. Additionally, Roper worked tirelessly to implement the curriculum to various instructional units within St. Mary’s County Public Schools.

She explained that the one thing that sets Hollywood E.S. apart from others is the school's annual grade five physical education show.  "Every year we pick a fun theme such as Circus, Around the World, and 50s to the Future," said Roper. "The students create routines and perform skills set to music that goes with the theme chosen." For the show, students design decorations and costumes.

 This has become a big highlight of our yearly program for our fifth grade students at Hollywood. Roper has been a presenter during county in-services, the MAHPERD Convention, and the Maryland Wellness Summit.

In 2007, Hollywood Elementary School was named a Maryland Demonstration School for Physical Education.  In partnership with Roper’s fellow physical educator, Trish Tillotson, she was instrumental in creating a developmentally appropriate physical education program.

Together, Roper and Tillotson have organized fundraisers for the American Heart Association – Jump Rope for Heart; annual field days for all students; special fun runs; a fifth grade physical education show with a different theme each year; and Family Fitness nights supported by students, their parents/guardians, and local health-related businesses and agencies.