Last month, Arizona Health and Physical Education (AHPE) recognized San Tan Valley resident Toni Chilton, health and physical education teacher at Highland Junior High School in Gilbert, by presenting her with its Honor Award during the group's state convention in downtown Phoenix.
This award was part of the evening's Honor and Recognition Awards ceremony Oct. 25 at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Chilton was presented the award by Lara Cox, health and physical education teacher at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary School in Queen Creek and AHPE president.
"The Honor Award is the highest award our association gives in recognition for distinguished service to our association. Toni has taught for 23 years at Highland Junior High. She has been a member of AZHPE for so many years we can't keep track, has been on the board for at least 10 years, is the current membership chair, is a past president, and is a member at large for the Western Districts. On top of that, Toni won Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2021, Western State Middle School Teacher of the Year and was recognized nationally," Cox said. "Toni presented with the other SHAPE America Middle School Teachers of the Year at the national convention in Cleveland in March. As if she didn’t have enough going on, Toni has been a huge mentor throughout my presidency."
Chilton said she was surprised and, of course, honored by the recognition.
