DMC Administrator Receives SHAPE Iowa Award

DMC Head of Elementary Mrs. Karla Lowe has been named the 23-24 Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Iowa Administrator of the Year. 

The mission of SHAPE Iowa is to provide leadership and support for the enhancement of movement, leisure and health related programs central to healthy, active lifestyles and lifelong learning.  

The Administrator of the Year is selected based on the following criteria: 

• Significant contributions to maintaining physical or health education as an equitable and integral part of the total education program or recognized leadership of a quality physical/health education program.
•  Encourages and aids in promoting the image of physical or health education, healthy physical activity, sport and dance among students as well as staff.
• Advocates for and creates opportunities for the educational and developmental potentials of this content area.
•  Evidence of social and humanitarian efforts through the participation and creation of local, district, school-wide HPE / Physical Activity / Wellness events.

DMC Elementary PE Teacher Mr. Erik Heard nominated Mrs. Lowe for this honor. He said, “I nominated Mrs. Lowe because of her amazing support of physical education, recess, and movement opportunities for all students. She deeply cares for me as a physical educator and the students at DMC. She is always willing to listen to my wild ideas, find a way to implement them, and give students as many opportunities as possible. Her support is unlike any I've encountered in the PE realm and I feel incredibly blessed by her leadership.”

Mrs. Lowe will be celebrated and presented with an award in June at the annual SHAPE Iowa convention. Joining Mrs. Lowe as 2023-24 SHAPE Iowa Teachers of the Year are Stephanie Klaffke (elementary school) of Gilbert, Chris Christensen (middle school ) of Waukee, Jodi Larson (high school) of Ankeny, Ginger Halverson (adapted PE) of Linn-Mar, and Anne Sloan (health education) of North Polk.